Characters are the heart and soul of your story, but what
makes them cross the line from two-dimensional to three-dimensional? What makes
them compelling?
Author David Corbett offers four elements that you can add
to your characterization and I think they're spot on.
To cross the line, keep your character's internal compass
consistent, yet ensure they can still surprise you.
First, a character has to have a driving need, desire, or
goal. What makes a character interesting is what that character wants, and the
stronger the desire, the more compelling the drama. Desire helps to create
conflict, and how your character manages conflict makes the story interesting.
Second, secrets make interesting characters. If there's a
trait or an incident the character wants hidden, but is revealed, it might make
that character lose standing with family and friends. What makes secrets
delicious is that they tell readers what characters have to lose and why.
Third, contradictions bring to light what readers can't predict
and thus shows surprise. For example: a character can be desperate, yet proud,
and decide to take a job that might not be up their alley, just so they can
earn a living.
Lastly, nothing draws a reader to a character than
vulnerability. When people need help or are wounded, we're drawn to help or
feel sympathetic to that character. Secrets play into this trait. If the
character is afraid of the secret getting out, it gives the character a
vulnerability they might not have had.
What can you do to help deepen characterization? Flesh your
characters out. Cast the character. Write character bios. What do they like?
Dislike? Write a flash fiction or short story to get to know them. Draw on real
life inspiration such as friends, family members, and co-workers. You can also
make a list of your emotional triggers. For example: What's your greatest fear?
When did you show true courage? By drawing on your triggers, you can bring
added dimension to your character's desires, wants, needs, secrets,
contradictions, and vulnerabilities.
Reference: "Hooked on a Feeling," by David
Corbett, page 32-36, Writer's Digest, Jan 2011.
ENJOY A PEEK:
BLURB:
Figure skating is in Christian Jansen's blood. When he trips on uneven ice and drops his partner, Chris breaks his arm. Now he's looking for a second chance.
Famke deVries lost her skating coach four months ago. Needing to connect with her roots, she returns to Amsterdam and agrees to be Christian's new skating partner.
Christian and Famke connect on a deep level, understanding each other's losses, but will their chemistry off the ice interfere with their goal to go to the Olympics?
EXCERPT:
Passengers hurried out into the airport. Famke stood next to her brother chatting easily with him. Christian froze. His pulse quickened. He remembered how at sixteen she appeared slender and almost mousy with her black-framed glasses and short brown hair, but now she'd changed. She looked every bit a confident young woman with a dazzling smile and a sparkle of excitement in her soulful green eyes.
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