Tomorrow I’m doing a workshop for my local RWA chapter. My presentation in entitled The 5-layer Dip of Characterization. Yes, I make 5-layer dip during the presentation. And it yummmmmy!
My whole premise is to have a well rounded, fully developed character you need to add many layers. You don’t need to think about your plot necessarily (plot usually comes second for me), but you need to know how your characters will react to every situation you throw them into. If you do, then your characters will drive your plot forward, building it as they navigate through the roads blocks you throw in their way.
Your character’s backstory, hobbies, personality types, etc., all play an important part. In my humble opinion, in romance stories the characters are more important than the external plot. The external plot simply forces them to change over the course of your novel.
So my question for you today is, how do you approach building your characters? Do you fit the right character into a story idea you have, or do you create your character and then see what trouble they get into?
Since I can’t really contribute to your discussion, I’ll just say.. Hope you have a great weekend!
What an interesting concept — the whole 5 layer thing! But hey - associate ANYTHING with food and I’m in
Good luck with your presentation and have a terrific, productive weekend!!!
Awesome workshop! I wish I were near, Christine. =(
For me - YES, definitely always characters come first, the story comes later. My characters own their own lives, their choices, while I just thrust them into the book and let them evolve. Sometimes when I sit down to write I have no idea what’s going to happen next.
If for some reason I don’t like what they’re doing, I try to temper it, or try to instigate more action, but mostly it’s just “them”. Thinking about it, wow, THAT’S real magic, isn’t it? How amazing that a writer can have so many people living inside him/her.
I’ve had SEVERAL books where the characters completely took over, one were the heroine was such a stubborn, strong-willed woman I had to give her a MEGA dose of sensitivity and still she would not respond. I had A LOT of trouble with her - she drove me nuts! I’m over that, thank God.
=)
Mmm 5 layers (Homer Simpson type drool sounding). Honestly, because of my panster like qualities (I’m trying to turn plotter), I develop my characters, throw them into a plot and I see what happens. I know this will sound cliche or something, but I know my characters. For example throwing my characters into India created a new type of antagonist for hero, and his reactions were AWESOME, he did amazing and it totally propelled the story forward and broke my writers stumble. Does that make any sense. It’s 9:50 a.m., and I’m rambling on when I SHOULD be working. Have a great weekend Christine, you and Wylie will be the first to know if I hear anything!!!! I swear.
My characters generally come to me in the middle of a scene. Then I have to spend time figuring out:
Who was that? And how did he get there?
Depends on the book, sometimes the character first, sometimes the plot. Can’t wait for your session tomorrow.
I usually start with my characters and the plot follows. Sometimes they just walk in the room and introduce themselves and tell me their story - but sometimes it’s not that easy. I usually try to figure out their birth order within their family, then figure out if they had anything traumatic to them happen as a child that I can work with, what type of family they had - good or bad relationship with their parents, etc. I look at where they were born - culture makes a difference in how they look at things, and even how they speak. I try to figure out what their hobbies are, and things they like - and dislike. Then I write a couple scenes and throw some situations at them to see how they react as I’m writing.
I usually start with characters first, but sometimes a “what if” scenario will suggest characters who will in turn build plot.
Good luck with your presentation — sounds fascinating!
Christine….wish I could be there to hear your presentation. I’m so sad that I can’t make it. My son has a soccer game and I have to get him there.
C
I’m sorry you couldn’t make it Cathryn. But I know about the soccer duties. Both my girls play, and my oldest made the Under 8 team. We’re really excited, but it means more driving.