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Crafting Characters from Life Experience




Hooking the Reader from the Get-Go


If you’ve peeked at my bio, you know I’ve had more than my fair share of various occupations in my almost seventy trips around the sun. From lugging heavy stuff to sipping lattes in a suit, my job history is a buffet of experiences. This has given me a front-row seat to the human circus, observing all sorts of characters. Crafting relatable characters is all about understanding the human dramedy. In this blog post, I’ll dive into how my own life’s experiences and people-watching adventures shape character development, giving you a backstage pass to the origins of my eclectic cast.


Keepin’ It Real


All my characters have one thing in common: they’re as real as a windy day in Oklahoma. When my characters mirror true experiences, they’re more likely to hit you right in the feels. Picture this: characters with flaws, victories, and quirks that strike a chord, tugging at your heartstrings and tickling your funny bone.


Think about the characters you remember from my tales. What makes them stick in your memory like gum on a shoe? Usually, it’s their awkward moments and growth spurts that mirror our own lives. For example, in Rhodesville: secrets - death - going back home, Lee, our hero, faces his old nemesis Stan. Lee’s fear of Stan is like a kid’s fear of monsters under the bed—it’s all in his head. But then Lee realizes he’s now a grown-up, and Stan’s just a grumpy old guy. Lee’s journey mirrors my own realization that when I was a child, my dad’s bite was just as bad as his bark. As an adult, my bite had become worse than his bite and we both came to this realization together. By weaving true-life giggles and gasps into your characters, you can turn everyday Joes into extraordinary heroes of the human saga.


Digging into My Own Dramedy Gold


Writers don’t need to travel far for inspiration. Here’s how I mine my life’s bloopers for character gold:


  1. People Watching: I’m a professional people watcher. I love writing in public places, where I can eavesdrop—er, observe. I watch their antics and note any quirks that might spice up a character. No, I don't take written notes, just mental notes. By not writing my observations down, I allow them to congeal into various shapes and forms which I can draw upon subliminally when creating a character for my writing.

  2. Empathy Adventures: I often replay scenes where I felt deep empathy for someone else’s drama. If a pal had a major meltdown, writing about that emotion can help create characters whose struggles will resonate with readers.


Adding Depth with Delightful Flaws


Imperfect characters are like honey on a pork chop—unexpectedly intriguing. To create fascinating characters, I embrace their quirks. Quirks make characters relatable and provide opportunities for hilarious growth.


When crafting a character, these are some of the things I chew over:


  • Spot the Core Flaws: What insecurities does my character wrestle with? Are they shy, self-critical, afraid of clowns? What’s in their head that tangles them up?


  • Create Character Arcs: When the story calls for it, I let my characters grow as they tackle their quirks. Hopefully, this gives you, dear reader, a chance to cheer them on, pulling you deeper into the tale I’m spinning.


  • Link Backstory to Flaws: I often use a character’s childhood as the root of their quirks. For instance, someone raised in chaos might struggle with self-confidence. A childhood bully may grow up with a need for bravado, masking their own fears, just like when they were kids.


Experience: The Secret Sauce of Motivation


Motivation is the fuel for character development. What makes my characters tick? Real-life experiences can add layers to their motivations, enriching the narrative.


I think about these aspects when cooking up motivation:


  1. External vs. Internal Motivations: External motivations might come from society’s nagging, like the pressure to be a big shot, while internal motivations can arise from personal cravings, like the need for a hug.


  2. Conflict as a Catalyst: Life is a rollercoaster of conflicts—embracing both inner battles and outer skirmishes can deepen my characters.


  3. The Power of Relationships: My characters often get their mojo from their connections with others. A friendly rivalry might push a character to greatness, while family expectations could stir up internal drama.


Diving into Diverse Experiences


Every writer has a unique lens shaped by their past. My embracing this diversity spices up character creation.


  • Research and Curiosity: To write authentic characters from different backgrounds, thorough research is key. Reading biographies, watching documentaries, or chatting with folks from various walks of life can provide me with a treasure trove of insights.


  • Busting Stereotypes: I try to steer clear of stereotypes. Leaning on clichés is like serving stale bread. Instead, I aim to craft unique, complex characters that mirror the rich tapestry of human experiences.


The Influence of Setting and Environment


My characters often take on the flavor of their surroundings. The environments they inhabit shape their personalities and experiences.


  • Paint Vivid Settings: Consider how my characters’ environments influence their growth. For instance, a peaceful countryside might inspire some soul-searching. There is such a scene in The Killing Continues, Book 2 of my killer on the loose Series (to be published June 1 of this year). Sheriff Robert Johnson is awakened by a disturbing late night phone call. After the call he tries to go back to sleep... "But he couldn’t get back to sleep, at least not right away.  His mind raced with bad thoughts.  He couldn’t get the past out of his head.  He opened his bedroom window and let a soft, late June breeze blow across his bed.  He lay quietly and listened to the soft rustle of leaves as the night breeze worked its way through the two large cottonwood trees just fifty feet outside his bedroom.  But sleep wouldn’t come.  He was coming up on the third anniversary of his young son’s tragic death.  Which was also the second anniversary of his ex-wife’s attempt to kill herself with sleeping pills.  His mind took him to a different place.  A time three years ago he had tried to bury…"


  • Setting as a Story Device: The setting can either challenge or nurture my characters’ experiences. For instance, in my Literary Novel - Shadow Comfort, an aging, weathered, farmhouse sets the mood for a life filled with turmoil.


  • Historical Context: Major historical events can lead to personal growth. A character navigating a time of social upheaval might find resilience and strength amid the chaos. Adversity shaped by culture, environment, and poverty toughened the Miller and Gray families in my Historical Romance - Full Circle: A Life Story.


Crafting Characters You’d Want to Have Coffee With


Creating characters forged by real experiences builds bridges with readers. By tapping into authenticity, embracing quirks, and drawing from personal sagas, I aim to create multi-layered personas that reflect the circus of life.


Remember, every experience—whether it’s a triumph or a tumble—can enrich character development. I often find the juiciest material in the shadows of my own bloopers, waiting to be shared.


Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you keep some of the key points I use for character development in mind while reading my books, you may discover other examples of how I use them to develop my characters.

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