Created by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the IWSG, is a great place where we can share our fears and insecurities and successes as well. It's been a wonderful source of support and friends for three years now! Thanks Alex! To join us sign up here.
I can't believe it's already time for another IWSG post! Thank you all so much for your encouraging words last month.
I'm excited about the new IWSG Book coming out, I know there will be tons of helpful tips.
For me, some of the most helpful tips that I've been told along this journey are about creating depth in characters. I never used to do much character mapping. I just wrote. But then others, including my daughter Jessica, suggested that I write a backstory for each character and even make complete family trees, going back generations for some and a create a "world building time line".
I wasn't sure it would work for me. It seemed like way too much work that wasn't actually the "writing". But once I started, I realized how much each person's history influenced who they were. By going back in time and uncovering their histories, I was learning what made each character tick, which has made it so much easier for me to write them. It also brought to the surface webs of interconnectedness between the characters that I hadn't even thought of before.
Some days, especially those days where I barely have time to sit at the computer, I still get frustrated that I'm working through timelines and family trees instead of finishing the manuscript. In the end, I know all the preparation will make the story stronger and more meaningful for me and everyone who reads it.
The IWSG has my permission to use this in its e-book.
Title: Character Depth
Topic: Writing
Byline: Kathy McKendry
Blog: Imagine Today @ http://imagine-today1.blogspot.com
Have a great week!
Kathy
