Posted in Writing

Getting to Know Your Characters

Posted on by Penny Wilson Writes

I’ve had an on-again, off-again relationship with my WIP for the past 4 or 5 years. I can’t hardly believe it’s been that long!  I now see why it takes some authors Years to write a novel.

I’ve let myself get bogged down in the details.  I’ve struggled too long to try and create an interesting back story for my protagonist.  I’ve discovered that I wasn’t letting HER tell me who she was.

With just the heart of the story in mind, I sat down and just let the words flow.  I know where she will end up eventually, at the climax of the story.  But in the meantime, I’m getting to know her.

This story just begs to be told.  I guess that’s why I keep coming back to it again and again.

Relaxing and just letting the words flow without any real background to worry about has been so freeing!!  I’m starting to see small bits and pieces of this woman’s background.  Just as we get to know a person’s history in real life, my character is beginning to reveal herself a little at a time.

In the past, I never knew that she loved to sketch and draw.  I also didn’t know that she had a college sweetheart.  Tiny fragments that help build and develop this person into something, that hopefully, my readers will connect with and cheer for.

THIS is the way writing should be.  It doesn’t happen often enough, but when it does, it’s pure magic.

Let the story go where it needs to go.  Let the characters develop their own life!

Thank you for joining me on this journey.  ❤

Copyright (C) 2019 Penny Wilson

 

 

 

 

Author:

Penny Wilson is an international writer who writes in several genres. She has written articles for WOW Women on Writing. Her poetry has been published in online journals, such as Ariel Chart, Spill Words Press and the Poppy Road Review. Penny is a member of the Austin Poetry Society. Her poetry has been featured in the publication America's Emerging Poets 2018 & 2019 by Z Publishing and Poets Quarterly and Dual Coast Magazine published by Prolific Press. Penny is an advocate for Mental Health Awareness and has the page "Mental Health Help" on her blog. She writes about the struggles of mental illnesses and Depression. She is passionate about spreading awareness for Suicide Prevention and Domestic Abuse. She expresses her passion through her writings of poetry and life experiences. You can find more of her writings on her blog at https://pennywilsonwrites.com/ and follow her on Twitter @pennywilson123.