We've talked many many times on this blog about character detail sheets and the questions you can ask your characters before you start writing. How to find their motivation and their goals, learn where they came from and where they're going.

Yada yada yada.

I propose some new ways to get into our characters' heads. I am currently in the Discovery phase of book 3 in the Anchor Island series, but the hero and heroine have already appeared in the first two books. I still need to learn more about them, but all in all, I've got a grip on who they are and what they've been doing for at least the past few months.

But I'm also in the process of writing the proposal for what will come after I must depart Anchor Island. If all goes well, my laptop, storyboard, and I will be moving to Ardent Springs, TN. And there we will meet an entirely new cast of characters. Strangers for now, but not for long.

First foray with my heroine:

Shopping. Now, before you call the men with little white coats to come take me away, I am not actually shopping for my heroine. We're more window shopping together for her wardrobe via Pinterest. If you're a writer and not on Pinterest, I highly suggest you correct this right away. This is the perfect site for anything you need.

What do your characters wear? It's on there. Where do they live? It's on there. What is her sense of style? What does he like to eat? It's all on there. And you can look by categories. It's brilliant!

As Lorelei (my heroine) and I were scrolling through the images, I could hear her voice in my head. "I am NOT wearing that." "Oh, that is cool. I need that." "Did you see those boots?" "Who in the hell would think that looks good?!"

She's 29, modern, brash, gorgeous, and resourceful. She's also riddled with guilt (for several reasons), alone in the world, down on her luck, and would rather have a root canal sans anesthesia than show weakness. I'm not sure readers will like her right off, but I do, and I'm looking forward to telling her story.

First foray with my hero:

Fair is fair and if I was going to take Lorelei shopping, then Spencer needed a trip as well. However, the Men's Fashion page on Pinterest wasn't quite doing the trick. We did find one outfit, but he scoffed at the rest of the page and once he started rolling his eyes, I knew it was time to try elsewhere. We tried the Outdoors and DIY page but alas, Pinterest seems to either be for women or prissy men (Spencer's words).

I asked him where he would shop and got Capelas or Bass Pro Shop. Right. Jeans and t-shirts. And we move on. Spencer is a country boy, but not the run-of-the-mill type. For one, he's an avid reader. (Though he's not sharing this fact at the local coffee shop.) He wouldn't piss on the heroine if she were on fire, or so he says. His true gentleman nature would in fact put her out. Eventually.

He's determined to make something of his own. To leave something solid and strong to show for his life. (Lorelei's great-grandfather built the house Lorelei inherits. Spencer wants to leave this kind of legacy.) He's family oriented and at nearly thirty years old, is ready to start a family. (Another fact he'd never share out loud.)

Ironically, that entire last paragraph came out of nowhere while I was writing this blog. So another unconventional way to get to know your characters?

WRITE A BLOG ABOUT THEM.

Anyone else want to add a new idea? Maybe I should try writing at the Bass Pro Shops? Buy a fashion mag and read it with the heroine? If you write Historicals, have you ever thought of writing at the local museum? Or even touring a museum (in person or virtually) with your characters? That might be a good one.