Character or Character - real life or fictional - where is the line drawn?

When it comes to people, authors study character, look for characters, and combine what they see into new characters. Sometimes. Sometimes a character pops into your life full blown, perhaps only a memory of an earlier time created him or her--and maybe you embellished what was real and what was not. But if a person/character resonates with you, certainly your readers will "feel" that special knowing you impart to them.

I knew such a character, not personally but from afar. She became the focus of Death by Candlelight and

Candlelight and Shadows, two mystery novels. She was nothing but a girl walking across a weedy field between an apartment building, railroad tracks and a street where stores were. Tall moccasin boots and long rich brown hair, a  fringed leather jacket and blue jeans. She fascinated me. I had to know her. So what did I do?  I interviewed her and she came alive so that I could tell her story. Actually, the interview was me talking to the character in my head - the answers felt real. That's all it takes sometimes for an author to create a person that her cover artist can find the essence of and translate to the page for both author and reader.




 

There are other characters: Piano Man (he was a man in a panel of wood-grain paneling in a rented home. I saw his picture there, I saw it as an advertisement for an artist course....I knew I had to find out more about him--Ghost Music of Vaudeville brought him to the page and to life. I hope readers will feel how special he is.

I could go on, but you get the idea. You can create composites of several people - or just go with your imagination, let them tell you who they are.

Now for more on this same subject visit Ginger Simpson at her blog - and follow along on a discovery of where our characters come from. Ginger Simpson http://cowboykisses.blogspot.com

And if you missed any, here are the other blogs where you will find more authors sharing with you, please stop by and visit them too.
Thanks for visiting - happy reading!




Lynn Crain -- www.awriterinvienna.blogspot.com.
Connie Vines   -- http://connievines.blogspot.com
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Billie A. Williams http://printedwords.blogspot.com
Ginger Simpson http://cowboykisses.blogspot.com
Margaret Tanner http://wattleglen-margarettannersblog.blogspot.com.au/
Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Rita Karnopp http://mizging.blogspot.com
Rhobin Courtright http://www.rhobinleecourtright.com/
 

Help I'm Poly-fragmented

I'm reading Criminal Mind by Katherine Ramsland, Ph.D. and I'm beginning to wonder if I, and perhaps all writers, are Poly-fragmented Disassociative people suffering from identity disorders. I mean it seems to fit. Multiple, even hundreds of personalities in one body...I am guilty.

 With 40 some books and other pieces of published work - as a fiction writer...I must take on all these personalities to make them believable, to make them real to a reader.

When I write a character's part in my latest novel (or having done it in any of the previous ones) I become that person in my mind, my actions, my contributions to the story need to be consistent with what that person in this given situation might do. Am I treading on dangerous ground? In the unlikely chance that I would be called to trial to testify to some murder that I solved (unwittingly with my writing) as an expert witness...what would I say?  What would you say?

I must pose this question to Patricia Cornwell, Stephen King, Tess Gerritsen or another favorite Lisa Gardner...I wonder how they would answer it. How would you?

I'll be waiting for your comments.

Character Sketch for Courtney (Yellow Fox) Two Cloud - Antagonist #1

Here we have a look at the sketch for Courtney - doing the character sketch I found out she is a sister (or perhaps step-sister) to Jamie...This could prove an interesting twist. While she is not the main Antagonist, she is to a certain degree the number one antagonist - she could cause Jamie the most angst. So hang on to your hats because the main antagonist is Damien Westerly (I don't think he's Native American at this point) he is the live-in partner of Courtney -  and her father never liked him.

Character Sketch—Antagonist 1 Courtney (yellow Fox) Two Clouds

(Father James Two-Cloud)

March 15, (Beware the Ides of March)

Pisces—I Trust—Spiritualist or ConArtist

Water Sign, dreamer

Colors: Sea Green

Famous People: Jackie Joyner-kersee, Billy Crystal, Alexander Graham Bell,  Drew Barrymore

Strengths:  Compassionate, unselfish, holistic, inspired,  perceiving the unity or essence, unpretentious, synthesizing, introspective, reflective, subtle, elusive, musical,  poetic, creative, imaginative, spiritual, transcendent, inspirational, visionary, idealistic,  serene, psychic, intuitive, flowing, surrendering, flexible, forgiving, soothing, gentle. *see notes* song writer, singer, musician

Weaknesses:  Sacrificing, timid, directionless, weak-willed, overly impressionable day dreaming, impractical, unrealistic, deluded, escapist drug or alcohol addictive, bitter, cynical, self-depreciating, easily victimized, vague, confused, undiscriminating, illogical, unanalytical, cowardly, spineless, weak, imprudent, easily hurt, deceptive, absorbent.

Lime Tree: (The Doubt) intelligent, hardworking, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones. Hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations. May appear tough but is actually soft and relenting , always willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them. Can become complainer, great  leadership qualities, is jealous at times, but extremely loyal. Observant and assesses others, revengeful, Loves to dream and fanaticize . Loves traveling, attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home décor, musically talented, loves special things, moody. 

*Notes: Hooked up with Damien—Band –Spiral Edge, they are toxic to each other but…*

Additional Notes: Mysticism, escape into the One; sees the unity, fails to make “normal” distinctions, often weak ego; victim, martyr,, servant; tends to escapism, fantasy, drugs (especially alcohol), religion, very receptive, sensitive, even psychic, co-dependency, care-taking, withdrawn from the world; release from the world.

What Characters Can do For Your Fiction

It is said that fiction is life dressed up for a party and the writer controls the guest list. You can invite anyone, any type character you need or want into your story.

That makes writing a lot like acting--well, you see you, the writer, gets to play all the parts. Isn't that grand being behind the steering wheel all the time.

We think we are anyway. Sometimes, characters will jump in and just take over the ship - If you try to force them to go your way several things could happen.
1. You could alienate your readers because the story might not ring true to what your character would do in this situation you created.
2. You could wind up telling the wrong story and find yourself left blocked and never finishing the tale at all or it will not be the tale you are destined to tell.
3. Why fight it, go along with your character, at least until you see where s/he is heading. It may be a direction you never planned, but it may well be a better direction, a better what if. Try it!

When you create each character in your head you manufacture just enough details, enough information so that your reader can form his character to people your story that fits his mind or idea of the character. You will both be right...and it involves your reader.

Someone once said, "If your characters are having more fun than you, your on the right track." So roll out the red carpet and let your characters have a ball.
Writing WideWriting Wide: Exercises in Creative Writing or Writing Wider, More Exercises in Creative Writing