Rebecca Grace on Developing Characters

            Developing characters can be one of the most fun parts of writing but also can be one of the most challenging. For me there is nothing quite like watching that new person take form on the written page. While I enjoy developing plots and ideas, I think I have my most fun developing new characters for each book. Whether it’s the hero, heroine or a loathsome villain or just a fun secondary person, those characters can be what sets a book apart and makes it unique and enjoyable to the reader.

Where do those people come from? For me, characters develop somewhat along the lines of a sketch. As the artist, I begin start with a blank form and keep filling in the details until I have a full, three dimensional character.

            Let’s face it, the character needs to be more than just a face, a body type or an attitude. It has to be all of that and more. I like to think of my heroines as a friend I might want to spend time with, shopping, hanging out with, sharing with her my troubles and secrets. For the heroes, well, it’s tough for me to do anything more than fall in love with them. Does that mean they all need to be the same? Not at all. I’ve had some great friends over the years and they all provided their own special sets of challenges and appeal. And I know it’s possible to fall in love with more than one type of man. How about that guy who you know is bad for you? Will it keep you from falling for him?

            So how do I come up with those characters and turn them into real people? By going past just the general description. In writing my latest romantic suspense, DEADLY MESSAGES, I started by writing a premise for Connie – what happens if your sister disappears while the two of you are going for an extended jog? I knew I wanted Connie to be tough minded and determined. But I also wanted to make her vulnerable and close to her family—especially her two sisters. And while I wanted her to be strong and independent, I wanted to show that she could think and feel like a woman falling for a man when she didn’t have the time or want to do it.

            I know some people will conduct interviews with their characters as a way of getting to know them, and I’ve tried that too, but I use a different method. It may sound crazy, but remember that comment about getting to know them or spend time with them? Well, that’s what I do with my characters. I “spend” time with them. It might be something as simple as going to lunch with my heroine. If I’m stopping at a fast food place, I think, “Would she stop here? Use the drive up window or go inside?” Would she opt for Japanese food or a classic French restaurant? Would she prefer a neighborhood bar or the newest bistro? I might go to a nice restaurant and consider how she would feel there. Out of place? Comfortable?

But developing the character needs to go beyond food choices. Does she go to museums, libraries? Enjoy a night at the theater or sitting in the bar gossiping with her buddies? Does she go to the gym? Is it a ritual or a chore? When I take my character shopping, I think about whether she’d rather go to Nordstrom and spend an afternoon or just skip the experience altogether. What type of clothing would she select? What about jewelry or shoes?

I like to feel like I’m getting into that character’s head, deciding what kind of choices she would make in her life. What books would she read, what movies would she enjoy, what are her favorite pass times? They might not make it into the book, but by knowing those things, it gives me a feel for who that character is.

            The same was true for my hero in that book, Lt. Mitch Weldon. I wanted him to be a mystery to Connie but I didn’t want him to stay a mystery to readers. I wanted them to fall in love with him, just as Connie was. Showing his home, his dog, seeing how he lived helped both the reader and Connie get a little clearer picture of him.

            These might be small things, but I always figure I get to know my characters the same way I build a friendship. I start off meeting the person and then as I spend time with that person I notice little things. I feel like being a writer has made me much more aware of the people and things around me. One of my great joys is a beautiful day and the changing of the seasons. When I’m working on a manuscript I find myself thinking about how my current character would describe that day and given her/his current problems, would she notice it?  Again, these may not be things that get into my books, but if I know as much as possible about my character I feel like I can then impart that feeling to my readers so they feel like they are getting to know the character too.

            When do I do this? Well, from the beginning to the end. As I’m writing the book, I’m getting to know the character better. I’m working on a sequel right now to DEADLY MESSAGES, and focusing on Connie’s younger sister. I thought I knew her as I wrote the first book, but now she’s coming fully alive as she tells her own story and falls in love with her own hero in DEADLY INTENTIONS.

            Spend some time with your characters. It can help you and the readers get to know them.

            Becky Martinez is one of the co-authors of the book, TEN STEPS TO CREATING MEMORABLE CHARACTERS. She is a former broadcast journalist who currently writes mystery and romantic suspense novels. Her latest suspense title is DEADLY MESSAGES, now available from www.thewildrosepress.com.