I’m pleased to announce I’m doing something new on my blog. I’m starting a series aimed at exploring characters. From the way we as authors construct them, to the way readers identify with characters, to the different “types” of characters represented in literature, and even what constitutes a fictional character.
This series has been on my mind for several months, and now that I’m in the throes of my WIP, mired in the good parts, feeling like my characters are showing me who they are, it’s the perfect time to blog about it.
Here’s just a few things I hope to explore in the near future:
Plotter vs. Pantser:
As a writer, I’ve always been the “pantser” type when it came to creating my stories. Now, I won’t use this blog post to get into the great plotter vs. pantser debate, but I will say I prefer to let the characters dictate the direction of the story.
Walking the Line:
As a reader, my favorite part of devouring a book is the characters in novels, who they are, the archetypes they represent, the choices they make and most importantly, how the authors who wrote about them gave them life.
It’s a lot of the same attributes I look for in a character when I’m writing one. The reader and the writer within me walk a thin line. But that’s okay, because most readers and writers essentially want the same thing. Every writer out there is looking to create the next Scarlett O’Hara or Mr. Darcy and every reader is looking for the next memorable character to connect with.
Defining, Defying and Designing:
I’ve always been fascinated with characters, even before I began writing, I created characters. I don’t merely see personality in humans, I find it in all sorts of things. The patina on an old brass button, long ago fallen off of a wool pea-coat, the scuffs on an old wooden bench, the flaws some may see in old items, I see as a part of its charm.
Character or personality shines through, if you’re willing to take the time to look. You can find it anywhere, on items long forgotten, buildings, animals, forests and the list goes on.
I’m sure I’ll think of more things to say about the subject as the series goes on, and I am open to suggestions, prompts and even guest posts from any of my writer friends out there. Just drop me a line in the comments section below 🙂
Amanda Bretz 
Good morning Amanda
When I write, my stories are character driven. How they talk, their odd habits, their personalities, how they react and relate to each other all comes out from beginning to end and yet when I read, I like the “story” in others books. Always wanting to know what happens next.
Thanks for sharing, Karen! 🙂
Sounds like a good new posting topic. Characterization’s the lifeblood of fiction, I think.