Characters Come from Within

I believe the protagonist and some of the other main characters come from deep inside the
author. A writer’s life experiences and even a part of their soul comes out in the characters
on the page – which is why authors often feel that they are giving up a part of themselves to
their readers.

Like an ‘imaginary friend”, a buried or unexplored side of an author’s trauma or childhood
experience may surface during the writing as if these feelings are itching to come out and
play.

By creating characters who live out these experiences of fear or empowerment we share
our own development or failings with the reader.

That’s why it can feel cathartic to write; but terrifying to publish.

Setting the Stage

Having an imagination is key to good storytelling, but so is a good search engine. However,
writing what you know is powerful because you’ve lived it! If you remember the sensation
of walking on icy streets or hearing the crunch of boots on snow-packed sidewalks that’s
something you can help the reader experience on the written page.
I think cinematically when I write. I visualize every scene – the lighting, the
wind or the stillness, the smell of freshly backed scones or English Breakfast
tea. Because I know these things I can texturize a scene. If you’ve never
looked out over the Amalfi coast on a moonlight night you can imagine it, but if
you have experienced it you have the advantage.

As an author you are not only the writer, but you are also the director and the
cinematographer as you move your characters through scenes and keep the
focus on the key elements of your storyline. You can yell” Cut!” at any time –
always leaving the reader wanting more.

But perhaps the most empowering aspect of being a writer is that you get to
decide whether your characters fall in love or get their hearts broken, find
forgiveness or become old and bitter, die or live to see another day.

Q: Do you prefer character-driven story telling or plot driven novels?
Q: When reading, do you visualize yourself there?
Q: Have you ever read about a place in a book that made you decide that you HAD to go there?
Q: Have you ever fallen in love with a character and wished that they were real?
Q: Have you ever named your child or a pet after a certain character in a book?