Comments on: Should Characters Be Like Us?

By: annastan

annastan — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 13:39:18 +0000

PJ, that’s a good point. Also, I think I’d get a little bored if all my characters were like me. It’s much more fun writing about ones that aren’t.

By: PJ Hoover

PJ Hoover — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:01:56 +0000

I put some of myself in my characters, but not too much in any one. It’s hard to translate reality into fiction successfully without overdoing it!

By: annastan

annastan — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:18:02 +0000

Catherine, I know exactly what you mean about feeling a sense of loss at the end of the book. I would feel like I’d lived the story along with the characters, that it had been real, and it was hard to let it go sometimes.

Karen, I’ve noticed the same thing with my characters. They used to be more passive and timid (i.e. more like me) but over the years they’ve gotten stronger and braver. Maybe one day I’ll catch up to them.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:29:34 +0000

When I was a teen I was drawn to dreamy, quirky and wistful characters, but now I tend to be drawn to gutsy and strong characters. I also see it bleed into my writing too. My main characters are getting bolder the older I get.

By: Catherine A. Winn

Catherine A. Winn — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 03:17:22 +0000

As a child I was drawn to characters that I felt could have been a friend in real life. I was so wrapped up in their lives between the pages that when I came to the end I felt a sense of loss.

By: annastan

annastan — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 23:58:18 +0000

I think wanting characters to share your values makes a lot of sense, especially in terms of a sense of right and wrong. If characters are doing things you are morally opposed to, you’re probably less likely to want to read about them.

By: MG Higgins

MG Higgins — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:48:02 +0000

I hadn’t thought about this before but I think you’re right. I much prefer reading about characters who are more exciting and heroic than I am. That said, I also want them to share my values, if that makes sense.

By: annastan

annastan — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:34:28 +0000

Laura, isn’t it interesting how much voice can grab us, regardless of how much the character is like/unlike us?

Andrea, I think I’m similar in that I’m drawn to more complex characters now, whereas I used to be happy with more one-note ones.

Caroline, I can see how Emily Starr would be an appealing character for you! I’m not sure why I had trouble getting into the book this time around – I’ll have to give it another try.

By: caroline starr rose

caroline starr rose — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:26:22 +0000

Still love the Emily books and all things LM Montgomery.

When I was young, I hated my very “hippie” middle name (I was always asked, “Do you have sisters named Sunshine and Moonbeam?”). Finding out about Emily Starr made it easier to deal with.

By: Andrea Vlahakis

Andrea Vlahakis — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:54:03 +0000

What a great question. I’m drawn to quirky, strong characters now—characters with more layers to them. I do agree with Laura, that it’s the voice that has to hook me.