I am writing this in waning hours of Valentine's Day. While some look at it as strictly a holiday for lovers, I have always celebrated my family and friends, as well.
This got me to thinking about the various friends over the years. With some people that I meet, I just know that something clicks, and we are going to be friends. Opposites really do attract, or at least some on my list of friends would indicate that. Others, there may be something that just doesn't hit right. Those first impressions are just not right for whatever reason. I really have to laugh because there are a couple of those kind of encounters that developed into really close friends, or as I like to say friends for life.
When one thinks about it, our relationships with other people are multi-dimensional. These layers include how we initially met, what are the common interests that connect us, where we live, where we work, experiences we have together, and so on.
As a writer on the current project, I have a whole set of new friends- that live on paper...and in my mind! Laughs! The creation of the character is just like a new friendship, there are a variety of beginnings. It can be unexpected, music can be an inspiration, or the character can be connected to another. As a writer, I have an advantage in that I can write the character with the traits that I want him or her to have. (Don't you wish sometimes that was possible with your friends?)
Some characters are immediately likeable, others will grow on you! They, too, should be multi-dimensional. That is the challenge for any writer- writing characters so that readers can identify and connect with through various emotions and layers of personality. Sometimes the characters are like those friends that take awhile to be friends. A character may even be one that a reader loves to hate! I would have to say that developing characters is one of my favorite parts of writing a novel.
Naming the character is also really interesting and fun to me. I tend to do a lot of research to find meaningful names for the character's personality or purpose in the novel. I thoroughly enjoy it!
May you enjoy your family and friends, real and imaginary! (Of course, I am referring to any writers out there!)
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