You did it! Your novel is finished. It has a gripping plot, all of the right characters, and the word count is perfect for your chosen genre. Still, something’s not quite right. Your story hasn’t come to life. It’s realistic, sure, but it’s lacking.
This is where characterization comes in. You’ve already created well-defined characters that stand out from each other, but what drives their actions? In answer to that question, you might be tempted to point at your plot. However, your characters weren’t born into this plot, the consequences of their lives shaped their actions before the story ever started. I know what you’re thinking (or at least I was). That’s backstory, which leads to an ugly info-dump right at the beginning of your novel. It could be—unless you change the way the information reaches your reader. Perhaps I need a character who’s a leader. His name is Christian. He makes decisions, stands up for his friends, and doesn’t back down from anything. He’s a bit stereotypical, so I give him a little quirk. He’s afraid of spiders. I could introduce this fear two ways. Christian pressed his back against the cool blocks of the basement wall. His eyes had already adjusted to the dim light. Brittany lowered herself to the floor against the opposite wall, and snuggled up next to David. “You’re right. This would be an awesome place for the party.” David’s answer was lost under the thunder of Christian’s heartbeat. The spider had left the corner and was creeping towards his outstretched foot. His mouth went dry. It was brown. Probably a recluse like the one that bit his cousin Will. Will’s leg has swelled up like a balloon, but he’d begged Christian not to tell. Christian kept his promise and eventually Will’s leg was amputated below his knee. Christian had been terrified of spiders ever since. The creature crawled closer. It was eight—no, maybe six feet away. He jumped up. “This place is lame. I’m going home.” Consider this instead. Christian pressed his back against the cool blocks of the basement wall. His eyes had already adjusted to the dim light. Brittany lowered herself to the floor against the opposite wall, and snuggled up next to David. “You’re right. This would be an awesome place for the party.” David’s answer was lost under the thunder of Christian’s heartbeat. His friends faded into the background as his gaze spotlighted on the creature he knew he’d find. The spider crept out of its dark corner toward Christian’s outstretched foot. His mouth went dry. It was brown. He’d never seen the one that had bitten Will, but it had been brown. His cousin had sworn him to secrecy before he lifted his pants leg. “It looks like you have an extra kneecap.” Christian had barely managed to get the words past the bile rising in his throat. “A gnarly gross one. That spider must have been poisonous.” “You can’t tell, you promised.” Will’s eyes were strange that day. Too bright, and a sheen of sweat covered his forehead. “The game’s tomorrow. You know I gotta play. If it’s not better after that, I’ll show it to Mom.” Another giggle from Brittany lurched him back to the present. The creature was eight—no, probably six feet away. He jumped up. “This place is lame. I’m going home.” That’s probably enough to give the reader sympathy for Christian’s fear. Maybe later in the novel, a connection could be made from Will’s shining eyes to the disappointment in Christian’s dad’s eyes when he explained the amputation could’ve been prevented if they’d known sooner. Perhaps his shame in relation to his dad’s disappointment is why he’s never told the story to anyone. The fear gives Christian another dimension, making him a more relateable character. Looking for something a little less dramatic? My eighth-grade character Olivia was starting eighth grade with a whole new look. Not used to being in the spotlight she’s feeling nervous. Olivia’s fingers tightened on the strap of her backpack. Was her new look too much? Her heart thudded against her ribs as she made her way to the back seat. Would people make fun of her? After revision, it looked like this. Jenna pulled the bag closer to her, and tilted her head, her gaze picking apart Olivia’s new hairstyle and her clothes. Olivia swallowed. Would Jenna say something? Some insult disguised as a compliment? How should she answer? The revision put us in Olivia’s head where we understand she made a big change and feels insecure about it. Later, she’ll have to face more scrutiny at school. If you know what drives your characters, let it leak a little into their actions and see them leap off the page.
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AuthorGrowing up, I was the Archives
October 2017
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