tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post6909697616282629438..comments2023-10-30T07:08:09.860-07:00Comments on It's a Mystery: Layers of CharactersElspeth Futcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-14886880906532513542010-04-06T06:30:16.287-07:002010-04-06T06:30:16.287-07:00I have one character in my WIP who is so important...I have one character in my WIP who is so important to get right and I'm failing. He's caught between stereotypes and I want to make sure he becomes neither. I'm crossing fingers during edits I get him sorted. Could make or break the book.Laurihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112458658109887868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-48053256034319735342010-04-06T01:53:40.161-07:002010-04-06T01:53:40.161-07:00Some of my characters would kill me if I compared ...Some of my characters would kill me if I compared them to cake (and that is the likeable ones).<br />You must be very brave to take on your villains like that!<br /><br />Al<br /><br /><a href="http://publish--or--perish.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Publish or Perish</a>Alhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625543235578144620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-24412006553041340242010-04-05T20:14:20.573-07:002010-04-05T20:14:20.573-07:00I like characters that do something once in awhile...I like characters that do something once in awhile - they MUST earn their keep or out they go! No shilly-shallying around - perform or I'll axe them. Ha! More like I'll axe them to leave very nicely and when they don't I'll beg them to do something or tell me something and then I end up with a bunch of hangers-on. hmmm....Jan Morrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01771180344305042855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-44381080119059350282010-04-05T18:53:32.336-07:002010-04-05T18:53:32.336-07:00Great post. I love it when my readers say they thi...Great post. I love it when my readers say they think of my characters even when they say they are not reading my story.<br /><br />annAnn Elle Altmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02192162600274764681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-31894658489518233072010-04-05T18:34:16.790-07:002010-04-05T18:34:16.790-07:00Lorel; That's exactly what I'm doing - ad...Lorel; That's exactly what I'm doing - adding new layers. As for axing - we'll see. I'm hoping it's not necessary...<br /><br />WT; It IS hard! I'm trying to look at their purpose and their motives - if they're too similar, out they'll go. On the other hand, this plot is rather complex...Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-87981246750806163342010-04-05T17:31:05.614-07:002010-04-05T17:31:05.614-07:00Ack! It's so hard to cut out characters you t...Ack! It's so hard to cut out characters you thoughtfully created! I tend to be a little character heavy at first though--have to see where functions might be combined, even though, as conceived, their personalities were really different, but if two people serve really similar purposes, and the plot is already complex...Hart Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17599570189253229318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-57555374171947276822010-04-05T17:07:34.354-07:002010-04-05T17:07:34.354-07:00So much longer to bake but worth it! I'm alway...So much longer to bake but worth it! I'm always discovering more about my characters, so when I edit I go back add the new layers I've discovered. As for axing characters, I do that to plenty of nameless minors when needed, but usually I have to bulk up existing characters. I start sparse then add what I need for the plot.Lorel Claytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06749366331989131894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-63282283416440874022010-04-05T16:52:14.851-07:002010-04-05T16:52:14.851-07:00Lola; I have no problem with dialogue - thank hea...Lola; I have no problem with dialogue - thank heavens! I know my characters inside and out - I just need to take more care in revealing them. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-53607272646932649022010-04-05T16:20:19.254-07:002010-04-05T16:20:19.254-07:00I'm really craving cake right now!
Character...I'm really craving cake right now! <br /><br />Characters and dialog come easily to me. Plots, connecting plot lines? NOT easy! I'm in revision hell, right now, just trying to get the holes in my plots filled.<br /><br />Great (yummy!) post.<br /><br />Happy Monday,<br />LolaLola Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14394765053485642935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-13493090333597354402010-04-05T15:18:12.135-07:002010-04-05T15:18:12.135-07:00Galen; Yes, I do. But that doesn't mean I wr...Galen; Yes, I do. But that doesn't mean I write the first few drafts well. *heavy sigh*. I know what layers should be there - it just takes time.<br /><br />Elizabeth; They DO try and steal the show - but, bless their hearts, they'd be too colourful for main characters - too much spice spoils the broth.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-77466813511686235162010-04-05T14:45:01.374-07:002010-04-05T14:45:01.374-07:00Great point, Elspeth! Good point about the seconda...Great point, Elspeth! Good point about the secondary characters...they're a lot of fun to write. They do try to steal the show, don't they?Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-9010404617695911082010-04-05T13:34:43.413-07:002010-04-05T13:34:43.413-07:00Hey, Elspeth, I know you outline...don't you d...Hey, Elspeth, I know you outline...don't you do a pre-writing character profile as well? <br /><br />Best, Galen.joe doaks-Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05283066862112820202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-67174041791812345772010-04-05T12:58:38.536-07:002010-04-05T12:58:38.536-07:00Carol; I think that's a common problem - the ...Carol; I think that's a common problem - the secondary characters can be more fun because the reader doesn't have them in their face the whole time.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-25834506862897809302010-04-05T11:25:38.226-07:002010-04-05T11:25:38.226-07:00Jemi; I love villains! SOO much fun!
Stephanie;...Jemi; I love villains! SOO much fun!<br /><br />Stephanie; I call those pop out of nowhere characters mushrooms. They can be very useful and usually have something important to say. I'm thinking I'm going to have to meld as well. Time to don the Dr. Frankenstein outfit...Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-19270772989893917052010-04-05T11:17:42.489-07:002010-04-05T11:17:42.489-07:00I just had a new character pop in out of no where....I just had a new character pop in out of no where. In Hatshepsut, I had to meld two characters together. That was a little painful, but it made the novel stronger.Stephanie Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17437077559099315853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-67225823437786791962010-04-05T11:12:58.693-07:002010-04-05T11:12:58.693-07:00I want my characters to grow as well - it's ea...I want my characters to grow as well - it's easy to see the growth in the MCs, but I've been thinking I need to do more with my villain - introduce her earlier so we see more dimensions. Back to work!Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-57906287074859478902010-04-05T11:00:10.171-07:002010-04-05T11:00:10.171-07:00Helen; That does sound good, but then again, it&#...Helen; That does sound good, but then again, it's supposed to be vanilla-y. It wasn't called Vanilla Mouse Cheesecake with a Zingy Surprise. But, I know exactly what you mean. But still, cheesecake...<br /><br />Karen; I wish you every bit of luck as you tackle these issues. Wear padding. Sometimes, it hurts.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-55002614643725685242010-04-05T10:49:39.983-07:002010-04-05T10:49:39.983-07:00Totally agree. I like the cake analogy. For Easter...Totally agree. I like the cake analogy. For Easter I made a new recipe - Vanilla Mousse Cheesecake. It tasted good, but...blah, no zing, no flavors that popped out, just vanilla-y. So, I know exactly what you're talking about.<br /><br />Helen<br /><a href="http://straightfromhel.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Straight From Hel</a>Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.com