Just a couple of weeks ago, maybe less than that, I made a list of the characters in Spirit, including some of the quirks/characteristics that make them, well, them.
Over the last few days, my MC has gotten to know one of them, someone I'd scribbled down on my list thinking she'd be a side character, an odd little person with a brood of kids who'd keep things humorous in between major scenes or something like that.
She didn't like that.
Enter "D" - my MC's neighbor.
She doesn't want a brood of kids. She wants just one.
*scratched off half a page of characters*
She doesn't want to be "comic relief." She may be blonde, but she wants people to know she's smart and knows stuff, important stuff.
*scribbled a bunch of new stuff*
She doesn't want her life/situation to be foisted upon her. She's where she is and who she is because this is where and who she wants to be.
*scribble, scribble*
She doesn't want to be a "side character" with a measly supporting role. She wants to be right in there with the action. Oh, and she doesn't want to be killed off at the end.
*scratch... scraaaatch... There went the rest of the page*
Ended up rewriting the character list - this time in pencil.
We've all been there, in the moment it's frustrating as hell, but when we let the character breath, don't stress about it and trust that she will reveal herself to you when you are both ready.
ReplyDeleteYou can do this :) I know it.
Kara! Always glad to see your comments!
ReplyDeleteLike most of my characters, "D" is smarter about what her role is than I am. I love what she's done with herself and the one child she does have is a ticket - the kind of kid you want to tickle just to hear that giggle. The story is going to work so much better with "D" as she wants to be rather than as I thought I wanted her. ;) At least I don't outline - I'd need to buy stock in erasers and steno pads...
;)
Verra good! Continue onward!!
ReplyDeleteLol. You're a better writer than me. I would have continued the character list in pen just to prove a point to the character. Not that it would make much of a difference, but still... it's the principle: she's the character, you the writer. But then again, I'm silly like that. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Stear Clear! Lol - yeah, one would think that I'd be in charge of my own characters. A lot of the time though, my characters are the ones telling the story. I can't complain - "D" just revealed a whole other layer of this town that I'd only suspected before.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, I realize this makes me sound like a nut job. ;)