The Characters We Become

By Jo Sarah Stanford

We’ve all done those quizzes. The “Which Character are You?” ones. We answer the questions in hope of getting our favourite character. Or if we’re good, and know the story really well (and if the quiz is halfway accurate) we can “cheat” and answer in order to get the result we want. (And yes, I know there are some of you who have even created such quizzes for your own characters!)

What is it that makes us want to be these characters? Traits of loyalty, bravery and honour make us desire to be someone else, in a story where amazing things happen outside of the ordinary and mundane.

If you could be any character from any story, who would you be? Well, if you have a full bookshelf and more books piled on the floor then no doubt you don’t have to think twice about the answer. But if you, like me, have read that character’s story one hundred times over (probably not an exaggeration…much) have you ever stopped to wonder…

How much of who I am is because of the character I want to be?  

I am very good at picking up accents, mannerisms and speech patterns. To the point that when I hang around someone with a different accent I have to be careful how I speak, or they might think I am mocking them. If I have been watching a TV show or reading a book that has a strong voice, I will find my own thought and speech patterns mimicking them. (It’s quite fun when I want to make use of it! Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock is a great example.) 

I do these things without really thinking about it. However acting like a character because you want to be them is something a little different. 

 

 

When I was little, I wanted to be Michelle from Full House. (Encouraged by the fact a really looked like her as a baby…We were triplets, not twins!) I wanted to be The Next Karate Kid, because she was a girl karate kid! (I also wonder how much this influenced my decision in adult life to join a karate club.) Yet the character I have always wanted to be (and still do) is Lucy Pevensie from The Chronicles of Narnia. (Yeah…Those who know me all saw that coming, right?!)

Lucy, the child, full of faith and wonder.

Lucy, the Queen, valiant and brave.

I feel like I know her so well. After oh so many years of reading her story, I feel like I have become like her. (Or is it that, at least in my mind, she has become like me?) She has helped me to be braver, stronger, more full of hope. She has helped me to be a better person.

I’m sure you have all heard the saying, “What would Jesus Do?” These days the saying is often accompanied with a wry smile and a roll of the eyes. We all know that we should follow Jesus example, but sometimes I find the phrase, well, a little unhelpful. (Don’t get me wrong, this 90s kid wore the bracelet and quoted it with the best of them.)  I mean, haven’t you ever thought, ‘yes, I know what Jesus would do, but right now, I don’t want to do it!’

So I came up with my own: WWLD?

What would Lucy Do?

Back in my youth group days, I was hanging out with my friends and we got into an argument. I lost my temper and stormed off. Immediately after I slammed my door, the guilt hit. I knew I had to apologise. I also knew I really didn’t want to. But you’re a leader, Jo, you have to set a good example. I paced the floor trying to work up the courage to do the right thing. What clinched it was what would Lucy do? I thought back to the time in Prince Caspian where Lucy got angry with her siblings for not believing her. She complained to Aslan who scolded her, and she apologised, then she gathered her courage to go on the mission he had sent her. If Lucy could do that, I could swallow my pride and apologise to my friends. 

I also think to my favourite scene from the same movie: where Lucy is standing on the bridge before the entire enemy army. Alone. But she isn’t alone.

Even today, when I need to find courage, this scene comes to mind.

So, why do I want to be like Lucy? Because she is brave, and steadfast and kind. Because she makes me braver, more steadfast and kind. I guess she has become a friend: and as iron sharpens iron, so one friend sharpens another. (Prov27:17)

What is the point I am trying to make? I’m not too sure. Perhaps it’s just rambling born from late night musings. Perhaps it is a wish that, one day, some young soul will long to be like a character I created. (And with that is a gentle warning about the type of characters I create.) Whatever it may be, I am still fascinated by how a few etchings on a page can create a world of characters and adventure that can have such an impact for years and years to come. 

 

Jo Sarah Stanford is a freelance writer with her own business Write it Up! She has recently spent a year as a journalist in Jerusalem, Israel and is the editor of Bridge Builders the national bi-monthly magazine for Bridges for Peace. She has works published in various anthologies including If They Could Talk; Something in the Blood; and Tales from the Upper Room. She is also a karate instructor and lives in the Adelaide Hills with her chickens.

www.writeitup.com.au

How Do We Answer?

A question most fiction writers are asked: Where do the ideas of your stories come from?

I am still scratching my head about the answer to that.
All I can offer is that it's something like a seed being planted into fertile ground. (And no one can dispute we writers have fertile imaginations.) It's bound to shoot and wiggle its way up until we see the possibilities of a story. That's when it needs watering.

So what is the watering process for you? Do you get to work and begin laying out your ideas until you see the story emerging fresh, original and tempting?

Or do you take an idea ( or many ideas) you've read before and rewrite the plot with a twist - as agents love to encourage us to add in our book proposals?

Or is it something you've been struggling with in your own life and you place this into you main character's personality? This naturally introduces a spiritual dimension. And may help you discover along the way in figuring out your own life's answers.


The possibility exists that all of the above are true. Now is there something I've missed? I am curious about where we writers differ and where we are similar. As a pantser myself, I wish I could see the end from the beginning. But it seems I need to concentrate on understanding my characters and let them make the right choices ... or wrong as the case may be. Actually wrong choices do make them more human. Then it's interesting to find out how they'll extricate themselves from the consequences of their stupid decisions!

Sigh. All the above is a glimmer, but doesn't prove how we come up with our stories. I'd be glad if you could add some ideas of your own to enlighten me. OR do you have a good answer when posed with the question of where your stories originate?


Rita Stella Galieh is a co-presenter on a Christian radio program broadcast Australia-wide. She was a contributor to several US anthologies published by Adams Media. An attendee at several conferences, she has judged for ACFW, contributes to several other writers’ organizations, blogs weekly, and participates daily on Facebook. After several years study at the Sydney National Art School, she joined the family ceramics business before attending Emmaus Bible College. Each year, besides Australia, she travels with her violinist husband throughout Thailand, with permission from the Buddhist Government, to explain the true meaning of Christmas. 

This past year she has enjoyed presenting the amusing Etiquette of the Victorian Era to ladies and seniors fellowships, dinners, coffee evenings and similar functions. Her website is www.ritastellapress.com

Popeye, Frodo and Anne Shirley...and Khi? by Jo Wanmer

What do Popeye, Frodo and Anne Shirley have in common?
No this is not a trick question. I need help so today I have more questions than answers.

If I answer the first question, will you answer the next one? Popeye, Frodo and Anne Shirley are all distinctive, memorable characters, crafted by a creative pen. Whether a reader loves or hates them,
it doesn't matter. They have been quoted, talked about, emulated and taken by film-makers to make both investor and fan richer.

Of the three, my favourite is Anne of Green Gables. Nearly every character in those books and films are wonderfully individual. Anne's use of language, her responses,reactions and impulsiveness warm our hearts.

Let me ask you the main question. How do I create similar characters?  How do I write people we either love or hate, or at the very least stir our empathy? Characters we remember? My current problem is a supporting character. She chews over issues with Milly, encourages Milly, looks after Milly's kids. The book needs her. Milly needs her, but who is she? I determined one day to make her memorable so added to her character chart (you know the one - blue eyes, curly hair 157cm tall...) a big blue bra that acted like a handbag. She could pull anything out of it - from a hanky or dummy to a box of matches and bait for the fishing line. It was so memorable that I completed a full edit of 100,000 words without using that idea once. Her underwear never rated a mention.

Maybe blue bras don't make character? So who is she? Her name is Khi. My friends don't like her name. Originally she was Mia and then she became Shyhla. Neither of those worked. I like Khi but one of my readers thought it was a boy's name and was gender confused for ages. (Maybe she does need that big blue bra.) 

She is a mother, a great friend, wife of an highly successfully business man who abused her behind closed doors. (My readers would have to guess that because she is so embarrassed she doesn't want them to know. I hope she never reads this blog.) Her faith is determined as opposed to passionate. I could tell you about her broken childhood, her low self esteem, her fears and her capability.

But she is colourless, unmemorable. In a recent manuscript assessment Iola said, 'Khi needs further development. It's not that there is anything wrong with her character, but it would be good to know her better'. In other words she's not quite there. I agree. 

So I need help. Would a simple name change work? For instance I could call her Bl...y Mary, or BM for short to avoid offending my Christian readership. Would that add instant character? Or maybe I should....

As you see I'm out of ideas...or ideas that inspire me so that her character falls into the memorable category.

What do you like in characters? How do you build them?  Some writers develop characters sheets, others build an Instagram page, or write an interview of the character. What do you do? How do you get to know the people that carry your story?

I wait eagerly for your comments. Khi needs your help. She is the protagonist in  the sequel which is already written and I want her to have something in common with Popeye, Frodo and Anne. (Images from Wikipedia)

Jo Wanmer cheated when she wrote her first book. The fiction, Though the Bud be Bruised, is based on fact.  She knew all characters very well. It is her own story and she endeavoured to be very honest in every portrayal. As a result, all Zara's faults were on the page and few of her finer qualities. A beta reader who didn't know Jo personally was very critical of Zara and her husband, Sam. After Jo recovered from the shock, she realised her writing needed adjusting and did so.
Jo is very thankful for every person in the Christian writer community who has helped her over the years.
She loves feeling the air in her hair when driving with Steve in their new sports car, communicating the love of God with a pen or a microphone, and spoiling her eight grand-kids.

WORDS OF OUR FATHERS. by Shane Brigg

Several of the characters that I am creating in my story writing are defined significantly by the crucible of their relationship with their Fathers. 

A pre-teen girl living on a drought stricken sheep property in northern New South Wales describes her memories of the dust, the smoke from fires and her Father’s sweat after saving her from disaster. An aboriginal boy admires his Dad who sacrifices his own comfort every day to do the long hard slog into town to work so his family is supported. Another character avoids any reference to his father because of the pain, grief, and sense of shame it causes.

To show the depth of these interactions I have had some fun with the phrases that these Dads used regularly. This brings insight into their lives, but especially the development of their children (my main characters). A poll of 2000 dads by Twentieth Century Fox Entertainment revealed the top 'dad phrases' – Cliche phrases like: 'I'm not going to tell you again!!!' ,  'Were you raised in a tent ? !' and 'Don't talk back to your mother', were classic ‘dadisms’. The top two phrases were money-related - being: 'Do you think I'm made of money' and 'Money doesn't grow on trees'. Next on the list was: 'When I was your age ...' The classic dad question of 'If you were told to jump of a cliff, would you?' was also included and 'They don't make them like they used to' finishing off the top ten.

What 'dadisms' did your own father use? 

What our Dads say shape our lives. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

When developing my characters I realised I needed to take their growth seriously by delving in to what their Dads had input into their lives.

Consider this story in the Gospels and what a father has to say:

Take a read of MARK 9:14–28; 30–32pp—Mt 17:14–19; 22,23; Lk 9:37–45

Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Evil Spirit.

Think about the words of this boy’s Father. There is so much meaning in the father’s reply to Jesus, in v24. ‘I do believe, help my unbelief.’ A weak faith can still take hold of a strong Saviour. The Dad had made some mistakes – an example might be in recognising simply that this father had brought his son to Banias which was the centre of the occult. Interesting that the first words of this Father are (paraphrased) “Teacher I have a problem”. For dads this is often a silent cry for help. They are human. They are going to face human frailty. Our characters need to as well if our readers are going to connect with the narrative.  

It’s important that our characters seek help – the father asked the disciples to deal with the boy’s sickness. It’s important to show that previous attempts didn’t work. It’s important for our characters to be real about what they are going through- Be Honest and Authentic. It’s important to show that maybe they are willing to have another go, even with unexpectant perspectives.

The 2nd Word of this Father is “HELP!”

This might inform not just our writing but our own journeys as well. No matter what you are facing.  No matter what mistakes you have made. No matter what you have tried before. Bring it to Jesus. It’s a sign of strength to ask for help. This story helps us understand that it is okay to say that you are struggling with your belief.

The third words of this Father are effectively “I Believe, but I have trust issues”

Be real. Be honest. Be authentic.

Consider my paraphrase of the father’s words :

 1)  The 1st Words of the Father are “TEACHER I HAVE A PROBLEM”

 2)  The 2nd Word of the Father is “HELP” !

 3)  The Third Words of the Father are “I BELIEVE, BUT I HAVE TRUST ISSUES”

They are summed up in these six words in verse 24:

 ‘I do believe, help my unbelief.’

Just 6 words: expressive of a weak faith, a faltering and flickering faith.

 But a real faith, and a sincere faith. Even a weak faith can lay hold of a strong Saviour. This desperate man has put himself in precisely the position where he can receive Christ’s help. I am weak, but he is strong. The father pleads with Jesus, v22: “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

The fact is that the sick boy at the centre of this narrative may never have known what his dad had said. But in this story we get to understand the boy by understanding what the dad had said and done. Let’s revisit the heart of this father.

  1)   I love my son and I want him better

  2) He’s been like this since he was little, and I’m over it.

  3)  I want the best for my son.

  4)  He’s my only son , He’s my life

  5) I’ve made mistakes but I want to fix it now

  6)  I can’t fix it on my own

  7)   I’ve been trying to get help

  8) Other things haven’t worked 
  9)    I’m struggling with my belief

 10) But Jesus you can do it !

And then we don’t hear from that father again.

We often only remember the dumb things, or the hurtful things our own fathers have said about us. There is sometimes another conversation going on though.

The statements of this father who made mistakes, and faltering quests for help are transformed by the presence of Jesus. Jesus’ questions and statements lead to the transformed boy. Despite the shortcomings of his father.

This means so much for our creative writing character developments; but it also means so much in reflecting our own, real character development.

Selah. 

Interview with Jack Haines

By Ian Acheson

Photo courtesy of Rendeeplumia/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I had the opportunity to sit down with Jack Haines, the hero of Angelguard. In a long wide-ranging interview that covered various topics including Jack’s faith, dealing with grief and the loss of loved ones, to his passion for ball sports and a hidden talent, Ian was able to share an excerpt with us on Christian Writers Downunder.

Thanks Jack for your time today. Perhaps fill us in with what occupies most of your days.

Ian, it’s my pleasure. I spend most of my weeks during the academic year teaching organisational design, leadership and entrepreneurship to students at the one of Australia's leading Graduate Management Schools. I also run my own consultancy business where I share my learning’s as a student of business with a small number of global clients.

And what about when you’re not working?

Running around being exhausted by two daughters, two-year-old twins. As a single dad it can be a lot of work. I’m blessed that my dear mum, Louise, moved into my home after Sarah, my wife, passed away last year. Mum cares for the girls while I’m working. I’m fortunate that I’m able to do a lot of preparation work at home so I can be within earshot of the family on most days.

Last year was a traumatic time for you. Are you able to share a little about how this impacted your walk with the Lord?

As you can imagine it was really tough at first. We were living the life, busy work and enjoying being a family of six, and part of a wonderfully caring church community. Then bang, tragedy struck, that family was halved and all of a sudden I felt terribly alone having to care for my two little ones. It was a real test of my faith. At first, I blamed God, but through His gentle reassuring touch He ministered to my broken heart. It’s still healing but what I’ve come to appreciate is that God wants us to depend on Him. Not just for the big things in life, but the everyday. So each day when I rise I seek Him out and ask for His help in everything I’m doing that day: caring for Gracey and Catie, teaching my students, being a son, friend and brother.

You confronted real evil last year on a few occasions. What was that like?

Fortunately, I can now only remember the joy I felt when we were together on the train heading towards Circular Quay. What happened after we crashed has now become a blur, until I woke in the hospital to be told Sarah and my two eldest had perished at the hands of a terrorist. Those first moments on hearing that news I expect I’ll never forget even though I was on heavy painkillers.

We’re all familiar with the Bible verses that tell us about what Satan and his workers are all about. John 10:10, “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;” well I’ve seen the results of his handiwork firsthand. All the atrocities that occur in this world should remind us that evil does exist and as far as the enemy is concerned it’s a full-bloodied assault for our souls.

But the second half of that verse tells us we have the ultimate warrior on our side: Jesus. He has come that we may have life and have it to the full.

Even though there’s still sadness, I know God’s in charge, He’s crazy about me and as I mentioned before I’m learning to give over more of myself to Him. My prayer life has become such an important part of my day. Even days’ that are incredibly busy I make sure I give time to be in His presence and thank Him for all that He has blessed me with.

That’s all with have today. Further excerpts will be made available in the future.

If you’re not familiar with Jack Haines, his story can be found in Angelguard, the first novel in the Chronicles of the Angelguard.

Angelguard reveals the timeless supernatural war that continues unabated and it’s intersection with our physical world. In bringing the warring angels and demons to the forefront of a rollicking tale that crosses the globe, it highlights the ferocity of this conflict. The physical story focuses on three survivors of separate acts of terrorism that occur within weeks of each other. 

The power of prayer in engaging heaven is a second prominent theme of the novel. 

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel of speculative fiction, Angelguard, is now available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter

Characters not caricatures.

When writing a novel a writer should create living people, people not characters.

A character is a caricature.

Ernest Hemingway.

 

Last week my sister in law borrowed two DVD's from the library. I hadn't seen either of these movies before, but the first was an incredibly popular film in the 70's.

 

I'd often seen it on the library shelves but had never picked it up, simply because I had tried reading the book and found it oh so boring.

It was titled Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Most of you will remember this title from John Le Carre, who also authored The Constant Gardener.

 

I found myself not only enjoying the movie, but drawn to the characters. Told in flashback form, it was a story of betrayal, murder and greed.

 

The second movie was called The Debt and starred Helen Mirren. Another movie written about spies and everything that goes with it. Because it starred Helen Mirren, I saved it to  last. There's something about Mirren that I find compelling. She brings her own style and influence into every role.

 

In this particular instance, I was quite let down. Don't get me wrong, the performances were good, very much so, but the story itself, for me, was unbelievable.

 

Mirren's character, one of three Mossad spies who embark on capturing a sadistic doctor responsible for the death of thousands of Jews, is bland and unappetising. I couldn't reconcile my thoughts of spies, Mossad spies at that, being so…emotional. Surely spies should unemotional, bent on getting the job done at all costs?

 

In every book I've read, or every movie I've watched, the characters which draw me in and hold me long after the end are the ones steeped in reality. They share similar traits with us, which help us identify with them.

What makes characters such as spies or serial killers chilling is their charm. We can easily imagine them committing atrocities simply because we can picture them, and their quirks, as our neighbour, odd relative, or dare I say…close friend? After all, how well do we really know someone?

 

Caring enough about your characters to study the intricacies associated with their lives, or learning more about what makes them tick, is how you'll find readers falling helplessly head-over-heels in love with them, and you.

 

In John Le Carre's interview he said, "Stories are the ultimate escape: the fictional world is the one in which you really want to live”.

 

If this is the world our readers want, then it's up to us to make it as real as possible for them.

 

 

What lengths would you go to so your characters become people?


                          _______________________

Lee Franklin lives in a small country town, where every one of her neighbours could possibly be a serial killer, either in real life or in her imagination. It's a good thing she doesn't mind things that go bump in the night, but it does help to have three dogs guarding you...just in case.

Saying Goodbye

Today, I'm filling in for Rose Dee who is in a very busy time. She will be taking my spot next week.

I don't know about you, but I become teary when I say goodbye to family and friends after they've come to visit. Last Easter weekend was no exception when our son visited with us. We had a time of deep sharing of our fears and hopes and dreams. A time to go deeper into our relationship and learn new things about each other. The sharing moved me deeply. We'd crossed another point of no return in our bonding. When Dan left I cried. He laughed lovingly. I was being sentimental, again.

As writers we become intimate with our characters. We share their high and low times. We conquer mountains, swim oceans and enter into deep dark places with them. We share secrets and argue with them in the same way we do with real people.

What happens to our characters in our minds when we finish a book? I like that they continue to live on between the covers of our books. I would like to think that is the end of those characters and I can move on to creating the next family to write about, but I can't. The characters became living breathing people. I've spent a year or more with them. Learning their likes and dislikes, their fears and hopes for the future. They've become close friends, the type we can argue with and still come up smiling at the end of the day and be stronger in our relationship.

I don't know about you, but I have one heck of a time trying to let go of my characters. I go through a grieving process and have to pray for guidance and strength to let go of these 'people'. A year or more later, I'm still thinking about them wondering how they're getting along and what challenges they're facing. I ask them if they want me to write another story about them. They answer, 'No, we're happy'.

Although, Kizza and Justin from African Hearts want me to write more about them. They're going to go through some tough times. I say yes, and immediately they come to life in my mind again. This is an exciting time and I can't wait until I get pen and paper to draft what they're telling me. I'm also pleased I'm not saying goodbye to them. We're going to have fun again.

Do you find it hard to say goodbye to your characters? Have they become so ingrained in you that they become real friends and you need to go through a grieving process?

Whose Voice?

Firstly, I apologise for the delay in writing this blog. I've had major issues with provision of phone and internet in our new home. Thanks so much for your patience.

When I start a new work of fitction, I always make sure I create my characters as real as I can with dark secrets in their past; dreams and hope for their future; their disappointments in life up until this time and everything in between. I include everything right down to their favourite colour and foods.

One of my current projects is going through a deceased Christian woman's possessions with a view to writing her biography or a story based on her life. I haven't decided which way I'm going to write the story yet. I'm hoping by the time I finish reading through the documents and letters the Lord will point me in the direction he wants me to go.

As I read the letters I'm conscious of the voice of each of the letter writers and how I'm beginning to understand their personalities through the letters. I'm learning about the hopes, dreams and disappointments of the people who have been a part of this woman's life. I'd never thought written correspondence, whether it's letters or emails could be so insightful in getting to know a person and how this can be used to build a character's profile and voice. I've also realised that each of us have our own voice in writing as well as the way we speak.

This exercise adds a different dimension to how I now view my future characters and the voice I will use in the dialogue I will create for them. Think about the characters in your books; are they speaking the dialogue in their own voice or art they using your voice in disguise.

I recently had a reader, who knows me well; say she saw me speaking through one of the characters. 'It sounded just like you,' she said. At first, I smiled at her comment, but the more I thought about it and studied the dialogue in that book, the more I became disappointed I hadn't created the character true to their personality.

Writers put a lot of themselves into their work. I expect that of myself because my readers want to get to know me through my writing. As writers our voices should be in our narrative of the work, but when the character is speaking, it is their words, not ours.

The comment from my reader gave me a lot to consider. From now on I will be revising my dialogue with the view of fine tuning my character's voice. What about you: whose voice is your character using?