Sharon K. Connell: Creating Believable Characters
Creating Believable Characters for your Stories
Would you like to transport your readers right into the story you’re writing? Isn’t that what we want to happen to our readers? Of course it is. After all, we’re writing for the reader’s enjoyment.
When I decide upon a character or scene for my work in progress, I first write down all the information I need to know about that character or the setting in which I’ll place that character. Personally, I like using a spiral notebook, but many writers like entering information into a spreadsheet or document online. The problem with that is, you can’t draw a diagram of scenes unless you have a special program for it. You can post a picture in a separate file or maybe even into your document, but I like keeping all the information separated with dividers in a notebook so I can go directly to what I need.
Let’s start with the hero or heroine. A basic description of the person comes first, including their age, height and physical attributes. Then I write down everything I think I’ll need to know about this person, things maybe the reader doesn’t need to know but will affect the personality of that character. As I write the story, when I mention something I need to remember about the character, I’ll write it down on their page.
When I begin a scene, before a word ever comes out of the character’s mouth or his/her foot takes that first step, I get into their mind. I imagine myself as the character, just as any actor would do on screen, putting myself into that character’s mind, body, and shoes.
Let’s try an experiment.
Think about your favorite character from a book you love, male or female, doesn’t really matter because when you write, you write about both. Close your eyes and picture the character. Now, hear their voice. See what they’re seeing. How does this person respond to what they’re seeing or what’s being said to them. Did someone else come into the room? How do you feel about that other person? You become this character.
That’s the way it should be when you’re writing. You become the character and you will write from that character’s point of view. You don’t need to become anyone else in that scene until you change point of view to another person. All that matters is what your POV character thinks. You will write down what your character sees, hears, experiences, and feels. Show the reader what that character is seeing by describing it, what they are feeling by their responses, what they are actually doing, etc.
For example, Tom glanced around the dark paneled office. His eyes rested on the antique oak desk, piled high with papers. Thumping came from behind the antique oak desk. He inched his way toward the direction of the sound, which seemed to come from the bottom drawer. With two fingers, he pulled on the handle. A blur of black fur shot out of the drawer making him jolt upright. His heart jumped to his throat.
Do you see what I did? I gave you all you needed to picture and feel what was going on and yet never used the words saw, heard or felt.
When I took classes in writing, one of my favorite classmates was an actress. She told me how she gets into a role by thinking her way into that character. I’ve tried to apply that in my writing.
Regarding scenes, all you have to do is take the established character whose point of view you now inhabit, and place them into your scene. First, write down everything you will need to know about the scene. Color of the walls. The trees and flowers in a garden. Wherever you have your character, write down the details of everything he/she might see. Don’t forget to put all five senses into action. Is there a particular odor, aroma, or fragrance in the air? A sound in the distance?
Once you have all the details written down, go back to that exercise above. Imagine through your character’s eyes what they will see, feel, smell, hear, and taste. As you write the scene, fill in those details.
When your readers pick up your story, they’ll thank you for making everything so real to them. And you’ll smile from ear to ear (excuse the cliché), as I often have, when you hear comments like, “I could actually see it/feel it.”
Happy writing.
BONUS!
Here’s a sneak peek at Sharon K. Connell’s newest release, Paths of Righteousness:
Chapter One
Pensacola, Florida
Butterflies filled Kathryn Kendall’s stomach. She sucked in a deep breath as she gazed up at the two-story stucco building. With a degree in business management and having finished at the top of her class, an administrative assistant position was nothing to worry about. But, her stomach continued to churn as she closed her eyes and reached for the bronze door handle. She could do this.
Kathryn smiled as the door closed softly behind her. She’d made quite a life for herself already. A mere two weeks after graduation, she had her own apartment and a job in a prestigious medical office, Kenner Family Medicine. Her adoptive family in Des Plaines, Illinois would finally realize she could take care of herself.
As she passed the lab area, a handsome man in forest green scrubs and sandy blond hair breezed by her with a cell phone glued to his ear. Her heart jumped as she caught a whiff of his woodsy cologne.
A few steps further, Kathryn glanced back. Mr. Gorgeous had spun around. He winked, raised his brows, and blew a soft whistle through his lips. She chuckled. Would the rest of the staff be as friendly?
The tall, bleached-blonde office manager named Grace met her in the hallway and led her to the front office. “Kathy, this will be your desk. I have new-employee paperwork for you to complete, and then we’ll have you dive right into the medical records.”
Kathryn took a seat at the desk. “Thank you.”
After Grace placed a pile of papers on the desk, she gave a warm smile and retraced her steps to the hallway.
As Kathryn filled out the forms, the man she’d seen in the hall approached. She glanced up into pale blue eyes, which pierced her heart.
A crooked smile formed on his lips. “I think Grace neglected to introduce us. I’m Mathew Pierce, the PA. You must be the new hire. Love that long, wavy blonde hair of yours. Reminds me of the color of honey.”
He held out his hand and Kathryn placed hers in it. As he squeezed, a twinge ran up her arm. Maybe this guy was too friendly. “I’m Kathryn Kendall.”
Mathew stood upright and darted out of the front office when Grace reappeared.
Kathryn finished the paperwork and followed her supervisor to the medical records room.
When lunchtime came, she sat alone in the lunchroom, her head buried in a book. Mathew blew into the room and, without a word, swung his leg over the back of a chair next to her. He smirked. She smiled and continued eating her sandwich.
“Kate, right?” He bent his head to the right and again raised his eyebrows.
She swallowed and took a drink from her water bottle. “Kathryn Kendall. We met this morning—twice.”
Mathew laughed. “Ahhh…a girl with a sense of humor. I like that. We’ll have to get to know one another. I like spunky.”
Had he really called her “spunky”?
“I’ll call you Katy.”
“I’d prefer Kathy, if you don’t like Kathryn.”
“No. Katy suits you better. Katy-bird.”
Her Irish temper rose up the back of her neck. She took in a deep breath and narrowed her eyes. She’d heard that every office had its annoying character. Mathew must be the one assigned here. “No. I’m afraid it’s not okay.”
She stood and left the room.
Mathew followed her to her desk. “Oh, come on, Kathy. I didn’t mean to offend you. You’re definitely one of the prettiest girls I’ve ever seen. Can’t blame a guy for trying to score some flirtatious points, can you?”
His lips pulled to one side as he raised his shoulders, palms up in front of him. Was this his way of apologizing? Then again, she’d probably been rude to him too.
She’d better make her disinterest clear right away, no matter what he did to her insides when he looked at her with those icy blue eyes and chiseled features. There were sure to be rules about employees getting involved. Why did she have to be attracted to a rogue like him anyway? “I didn’t mean to be rude and the flattery is— Look, we have to work in the same building, and I don’t want to cause any problems for either of us.”
His tongue traced the inside edge of his lower lip as he gazed at her and smiled.
Kathryn lowered her brows. Nervous habit of his, maybe?
Then he grinned. “Okay, Katy-bird.” He turned on his heels and swaggered off.
A Very Present Help by Sharon K. Connell.
Shannon’s faith is tested almost to the limit after the September 11th attack on U.S. soil. Her best friend, Rick, the young man everyone has always thought she would marry, enlists in the Marine Corp. He returns from boot camp and proposes to Shannon before he leaves for war.
After the engagement, Shannon meets another Marine while on a trip to Washington, D.C. with her fellow schoolteachers. Her engagement puts her off-limits. They part without expecting to see each other again, and without exchanging contact information. But the memory of their meeting in Washington stays with both of them.
The engagement between Shannon and Rick is broken when he falls in love with a female Marine. Why has God allowed this to happen?
A wealthy, unscrupulous businessman now casts his eye on Shannon, which adds to events that weave a tapestry in the lives of her and those she loves. Fear and betrayal cause her to cling to A Very Present Help in time of trouble.
$14.99 paperback, $2.99. Ecopy
His Perfect Love
No one crosses Jerry Windham and gets away with it. Not even a woman as shrewd as Patricia Campbell. After uncovering this man’s dreadful secrets about women who have been reported missing, she ran. Even two years later, she can’t get rid of the thought that he’ll never stop looking for her. He’d do anything to see her dead, or worse.
Unaware of the FBI’s search for her to learn what information she might hold, she continues to hide. A new look, a new city, a new job, fearful thoughts suppressed, Patricia starts her new life.
Three new men enter this beautiful woman’s life. A persistent computer technician, a charming philanthropist, and a handsome, wealthy businessman who desires to marry her. But Patricia’s fears resurface, and she wonders if she can trust any of them.
Having rejected God in her college days, Patricia believes He wants nothing to do with her now. All she wants is to change her life and live like normal people. Can she put her trust in God? Will she survive long enough to find peace…and perfect love?
$14.99 paperback & $2.99 Ebook
Paths of Righteousness
How does a young woman who has lost her entire family deal with such sorrow? Kathryn finds support from her parents’ best friends who have adopted her. But when she graduates from college, she wants her independence as well. She chooses to start her new life hundreds of miles away from them.
A co-worker’s advances bring fear, but Kathryn wonders if leaving her job and home will help her get away from him. More anxiety is caused by recurring nightmares.
Will Kathryn make the right choices in the end?
What about Dr. Jacob McLeod? Will he keep his vow to stay away from beautiful women and allow his past experience with deceitfulness in women cause him to give up on the woman he loves?
Misunderstandings between Kathryn and the doctor make her think the worst of him. Will he win her over with his charm?
Paperback $14.99, Ecopy $2.99
Website: http://sharonkconnell.com/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/sharonkconnell
Author’s book page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/averypresenthelpbook1
Author’s Page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristianRomanceSuspense/
Group Forum on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChristianWritersAndReadersGroupForum/
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