Welcome to the Romance Writers Weekly blog hop! We're back to the traditional three question routine, discussing characters and how we deal with them. If you've joined me from Sarah Hegger, welcome!
How much free reign do you give your characters during a story? I usually have a pretty good idea of who my characters are before I start to write their story. But something always comes up that I haven't planned for. In those situations, I just let my fingers go, and see where the characters take me. But like any good parent, I also have to make sure they keep their eyes on the ultimate goal. Short cuts and side roads are interesting—but we still have to get to the end together. While I'll listen to my characters, I also have to keep them on the right track. Have your characters ever done something so out of the blue that not only changed your story, but changed the tone and maybe even the genre you were originally going for? (Like your contemporary romance turned into a spicy paranormal) Um, no. And that god for that, because I think that would make my head explode. Having a contemporary romance all of a sudden have paranormal plot lines would probably mean major revising to all the work already done, and I just couldn't stand that. I have minimal opportunities to write each day, and the thought of basically being back at square one after weeks of work would make me cry. Do you have one character in your head that is sort of boss over all the rest? Or do you decide who to work on and when? I think it's really important to decide who is my dominant character. I write in third person, with the point of view swinging between the hero and heroine. But the story can't be equal. One of those characters has to be the driving force behind the story, regardless of what viewpoint I am writing. As for who to work on and when, I believe the characters grow together. Not at the same pace, and not at the same points in the story, but both of them have to arc toward the people they will be when their relationship is fulfilled. Interested in how other authors answer those questions? Keep moving on our blog hop. Leslie Hachtel is next!
13 Comments
11/11/2014 04:17:27 am
Makes sense. You're a tv producer. You have to keep your characters in line or the whole show will run amuck. ;)
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Brenda Margriet
11/11/2014 06:00:54 am
It might have something to do with my control issues, as well. :)
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11/11/2014 05:13:24 am
I love that you won't let the work go too far outside the bounds. Although a few side roads do make things interesting!
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Brenda Margriet
11/11/2014 06:02:10 am
I'm trying to go with the flow when I can, Veronica. I don't want my work to feel forced, so spontaneity is good.
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11/11/2014 05:18:56 am
I like how you compare our characters to our children. Good analogy! Sometimes it's just not okay for them to go off the rails. :) But it sounds like you achieve a good balance between side trails and keeping your eye on the end goal.
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Brenda Margriet
11/11/2014 06:02:28 am
It's definitely something I work on consciously, Christy!
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Brenda Margriet
11/11/2014 06:44:19 am
When I'm done, I want to be DONE! I just read a blog post by John where he says he throws out up to 90% of his first draft. 90%! I would be curled in a fetal position with a bottle of moonshine...
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Carolyn Spear
11/11/2014 09:12:06 am
Great post, Brenda!
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Brenda Margriet
11/11/2014 12:05:22 pm
Thanks!
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J.J. Devine
11/11/2014 09:59:18 am
I wish I could be more in charge sometimes :) I loved your answers!!!
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Brenda Margriet
11/11/2014 12:05:55 pm
Well, at least I THINK I'm in charge. It really is all an illusion...
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11/11/2014 06:48:37 pm
Being able to let your characters go but keep them within the confines of the plan can be tough at times! :D
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