Okay, here it is. I do not know anything about how to develop a character because I've never written fiction. I do know how to explain the character of a living human being I've encountered. It starts with the fact that my reader doesn't know them at all. With that in mind, how will I create a character that doesn't exist except in my imagination? How will I keep him consistent and believable?
This has been playing on my mind for the last three days and I happened upon a blog hop on a new page I liked recently called "Fellow Writers" on Facebook. (Thank you Jessica L. Degarmo for leading me there.) I am excited because I have made a few friends on Authonomy, feebly attempted to edit my own book, and have had venereal writer's block, also known as the Clunk, since September of 2010.
Frank or David is the question. The main character in my first attempt at fiction needs a name. I figure if I name him first then I can create a visual in my mind. People-watching is great recreation. Frank has the name because he would be a play on honesty.
I know a Frank from my childhood memories. He was my father's assistant in the pharmacy and he was a hippie that drove a VW bug. This character is a carny. He's the mechanic in charge of taking care of a metaphysical carousel. So, I live on the main street of my city and we affectionately call it "the drunk walk." There are plenty of Franks out there wandering home.
David? David is a poet (yes, the same Psalmist or a variation on theme). Problem is that David, to me, is a blond-haired, blue-eyed sweet boy. I don't know why but that's what I see in my mind. I have an inkling of where I want my main character to go because I thought about the story before I went for any characters.
Hell, I never was any good at recipes (much less following directions)...let me try this another way.
1 cup of Steampunk (nuts and bolts included)
1/2 tsp. of curiosity bordering on fascination
2 heaping tbsps. of cynicism and hard living
Dash of hope
Blend well with biker charm school and served without Chianti (he's sober)
I have a feeling the newbie is in for a whole lot of learning and I'm excited to give this blog hop a try. Hope I did okay.
14 years ago
