By Sometimes I come here knowing exactly what I want to write about. Other times, I don’t have a clue until I start writing. Today is the latter.
I always come away from Sirens with new inspiration and this year that has become a series of character studies. I’ve always done them for my main characters, but I’m feeling my way through some of my minor characters for the first Blood Witch book.
I think it helps make them more three-dimensional and alive.
For me, a character study begins with physical characteristics, but delves into the person’s background/history as well as their personality. Mine tend to be fairly long, because I usually have a lot to say about a character, even if that never makes it onto the page.
It’s also a continuity tool. If I have complete character studies, I don’t generally have those little errors with things like eye color or height. And, it lets me carry those characters forward into the next book without losing track of things like educational background and such.
I start my character study early, sometimes even before I start writing, and I keep them open or easily accessible as I write so I can add to them as I go along. Then, I review them after I finish a book to make sure I captured all the information that is important.
I also use them while I edit. It helps me make sure I get the little things right.
That’s what I’m working on this weekend, updating character studies with all the good stuff that happened in books two and three before I start edits.
Right after this cup of coffee. Happy Saturday, Readers! And may the Samhain season bring you many blessings.
Photo by Mariana Medvedeva on Unsplash
Natalie J Case 