Author: Karen GoatKeeper

Some novels begin with a plot. Others begin with a character. But all novels require creating characters.

Where do these fictional characters come from? How does a writer find these characters?

Asking For Trouble

Even some famous authors like Hemmingway got into trouble by using their friends, acquaintances and enemies as characters in their novels. If they were lucky, they just had to find new friends. Unlucky writers ended up being sued.

Having written this, I do base my characters on people I know, have read about or seen. But, I don’t use the people exactly. Instead I look at some trait or traits these people have and build a character around them, one that is not the original person.

Creating Characters Exercise

Next time you are out and about, look at the people around you. These people are strangers. You know nothing about them, really.

Pick out one. What do you think this person is like? Do they work? Invent a personality for this person. How would this person fit into a story or novel?

What’s In a Name?

I hate finding names for my characters most of the time. Now and then a character just has a name, but this isn’t usually the case.

Usually, the name search takes time and persistence. There are online lists. Books, telephone books, old school annuals are all places to look.

Several factors need consideration. One is the time frame of the novel. Names change in popularity or even existence over the years. Nova is not a possibility for an eighteenth century novel.

Plus, the name needs to be one the writer is comfortable with. I tend to like two and three syllable names. There’s no real reason, but I am happier with characters with names of these lengths.

Names Can Change

No matter how detailed a writer is creating characters, things including names can change as the plot evolves. New traits will emerge in the characters. They will become like people you know well.

A great compliment was paid me talking with a woman about Life’s Rules. I was describing Stephanie, my main character. The woman thought she was a real person, someone she wanted to meet.

Creating characters is important for a writer and compliments like this one make the effort worth while.

December brings the end of a calendar year. Perhaps January starts off that year you plan to use for novel writing.

You know. That idea you’ve kicked around for years saying someday you will write a novel or a memoir – something.

Bad Reason for Novel Writing

You’re tired of your day job. Writing can make you a fortune. All you need to do is write that best seller.

Over a million new books are published every year. The chances of a debut novel becoming that gold mine are so slim it would take a microscope to see them.

Good Reason for Novel Writing

There is that idea you can’t ignore. It’s a plot or a character or a wish to tell your family who you are and where you came from.

This thing is there when you wake up, whenever you stop during the day and puts you to sleep at night. It’s begging you to write it.

Getting Ready

First, you will need a time to write. It can be the half hour before you go to bed or when you get up. Perhaps it is while you eat lunch.

Different people are most awake and ready to write at different times. Find that time for yourself and try to write then. If nothing else, write down notes so you can use them for writing later.

Second, you will need a place to write. This doesn’t need to be fancy or a whole room. It can be just enough room for your notebook or your laptop.

One essential thing in this place is being able to turn off the email, the phone, the interruptions for that bit of time. Once you start novel writing, you want to finish the thought you are working on and interruptions will make it fly out the window often to never return.

Most Importantly

This novel writing is for you, no one else. Yes, readers matter once the novel is done, but the writing is for you.

And expect that first draft to stink. That’s what rewriting fixes.