Christie Craig Drops Anchor
Making Quirky, Bigger-than-life Characters Believable
Recently, my non-fiction writing partner, Faye Hughes, and I did a workshop at the Romantic Times Convention. I had an Australian bookseller come up to me post-workshop and say, “After reading several books by the same author, booksellers and readers start to imagine what an author is really like. Many times when we meet the author we realize how wrong we were. But not with you. You are just as we imagined you’d be.”
Now, let’s stop and consider this for a just a second. You see, I write over-the-top, southern, quirky characters who have an even quirkier family. One of my characters was a photographer who filled her house with talking appliances—another was a perfectionist who just happened to be a nervous puker. Then there was a fidgeting mystery writer who had a vitamin C obsession.
Then comes Macy Tucker, in my latest release, Gotcha!
Macy is a smart-mouthed pizza delivery girl/law student who allows only two tissues for crying jags for fear she’ll end up being like her mom. Macy’s history with men reads a bit like a daytime talk show where words are bleeped out, noses are broken, and chairs are thrown.
So knowing this about my characters, I stood in front of that bookseller, dressed in my best suit, my hair freshly coifed, watching my Ps and Qs, keeping my southernisms of “ain’t” and “fixin’” to myself, and I wanted to claim it was all fiction. But then I had to face the cold, hard facts. In spite of all my efforts to appear normal, people had figured me out.
I have moments in which I am as crazy, just as over-the-top as my characters. Some of you might be thinking, well, this is all fine and good, but I’m not a fruitcake, yet I’d still like to write about fruitcakes. Well, don’t panic. You don’t have to be whacky to write whacky. There is a method to my madness, and to writing madness.
The reason I bring up my own quirkiness is to make a point. Whenever I get myself in a crazy, zany situation, there are generally four things involved that lead me, or explain my adventure into chaos: logic, emotion, universal truth, and motivation. The method to madness, to writing over the top characters, and making the characters believable, all lies in these four things as well as the addition of a character’s own sense of befuddlement. And making your over-the-top characters believable is generally the hardest part to getting them past an editor and a reader.
· Logic
You may not think logic will play a part in the over-the-top situations with your zany characters, but you’re wrong. While the situation may come off illogical, for the character to appear believable they need to use some form of logic for their behavior. The reader, while they may be laughing at the off-the-chart situation in which your character arrives at, they see the character’s thought process, making the character and their reactions believable. When writing an off-the-wall scene, follow the character’s logical thought process into the illogical action.
And example of this is my character in DIVORCED, DESPERATE and DELICIOUS when she grabs a singing fish off the wall to take on the man who is holding her at gun point. My character thinks about the bat in the garage being a better weapon, but she’s not in the garage; she thinks about the lamp being a better choice, but she can’t get to the lamp. The only thing she has within her reach is the singing fish. It’s illogical, and over the top, but her reasoning makes it appear logical.
· Emotion
Whether it’s logical or not, emotion drives us. And by allowing the reader to feel the character’s emotions, the character’s illogical/zany actions or decisions will appear not only believable but logical. How many times have you heard someone say, “I can’t believe they did that, but then again, they were so emotional they just weren’t thinking straight?” So emotion in itself is a logical reason for acting illogical. Even murder can be explained and the punishment lessoned by using the excuse of temporary insanity, which is generally a direct result of an emotional overload.
· Universal Truth
Whatever bizarre situation you write, if there is some universal truth in it that you have brought to the reader’s mind, something at the core of the story that is accepted as true by the majority of people, then the reader will more than likely suspend belief. Some universal truths are not even always true, but they are believed to be true. A good example of this is a stereotype. If you have a character who has an over-the-top obsession of always being exact, he may not come across as real until you add the universal truth of him being an engineer. Because engineers are considered to be obsessively precise, the character is suddenly viewed as believable.
Another way universal truth comes into play with over-the-top characters and scenes is what I call the Seinfeld method. Start with the kernel of truth, then slowly let it built to the quirky level. The Seinfeld show did this with almost every episode. They took a universal truth, something we all have dealt with, i.e., a low talker. Don’t we all know someone whose voice is so low that speaking to them over the phone is difficult, or that you have to lean close to hear their words? Who hasn’t met the newborn baby that everyone was saying is beautiful, but one look at the child and he reminds you of an old congressman. If you use a universal truth in a scene and write it in a way most everyone can relate, this will allow you to introduce loads of off-the-chart humor that will not only be believable, but even funnier because the reader will identify.
· Motivation
Why do your characters do what they do? Behind every action, even one that is bizarre, is generally a motivation. The crazier my situation or a character trait, the more grounded and emotional I make the motivation. When a reader understands why a character is doing something, they are more likely to believe in them, no matter how crazy the situation or trait might be.
Let’s say I have a quirky character who, every time she confronts conflict, is seen running into her office and doing a backwards flip. I will give her a real, emotional reason for having this crazy flaw. Let’s say, that her parents died when she was eight in a tragic accident. And her grandma, who raised her, was a gymnast and a gymnast trainer. So as a child, her grandma was constantly telling her, “When you feel as if your world is off kilter, go ahead and do a backwards flip and when you land on your feet, you’ll have a better idea how to deal with the problems.” So as a child, being raised at a gym, she did backward flips the same way someone else would bite their nails or grab a chocolate bar.
Whenever your characters do something odd, or expose a very unique character trait, delve through their backgrounds and find out what is motivating them to be who they are and act the way they act. Creating and showing a character’s heart-rending motivation to the reader will not only make them believable but lovable to the reader.
· A Character’s Own Sense of Befuddlement
Whenever your characters are doing something crazy, or find themselves in a crazy situation, make sure they react to and recognize the madness of the moment. Have them question their own sanity. Have them ponder if anyone will ever believe the story. Have them second guess their decisions, or wish they could have bit their tongue instead of telling their boss that he had the intelligence of a toad on muscle relaxers and he should get the wart burned off his nose and stop wearing his pants up under his chin. People do crazy things. But when people go bat-shit crazy, they usually have an ‘Oh-shit’ moment that follows. Make sure your characters have their oh-shit moments.
If a character realizes and acknowledges that they went completely crazy, or that they found themselves in a freaking weird situation, then the reader will think, yup, that character did that, or yes, that was really weird, but they will keep reading and believing, because the character admitted the oddity themselves. And face it, who hasn’t done something stupid, or found themselves in a strange situation every now and then?
So, there you have it. Not only the way I create my characters, but my excuses for being half-whacky myself. I’m a logical person, but my logic sometimes seems to work off kilter compared everyone else’s logic meter. I’m emotional. Hey, I’m a writer, aren’t we all a bit emotional? I love the universal truths, if that means I’m bit a gullible, so be it! I DO NOT lack in motivation, my own back story reads worse than one of my novels. Seriously, my mom accidentally stole a car, my dad accidentally built a bomb, my cousin, the ex-mailman, is the reason the word “POSTAL” came into being. He did 20 years. Yup, I come from good stock--a long line of gamblers and moonshiners, with a few murderers thrown in for laughs. No doubt about it, I’ve got all the motivation I need to be quirky. And those oh-shit moments, I have them daily.
Anyway, today I’m giving away a signed copy of GOTCHA! and a few neat promotional items to one lucky commenter. So make sure you post. Tell me about some of your character’s oh-shit moments or if you’re brave enough, share your own, or tell me about your character’s, or your own, motivations for doing something stupid.
If you’d like to read another funny post about one of my quirky situations/days pop over to www.dorchesterpub.com to their special feature section. You’ll also see a contest to win basket of Christie Craig books and goodies.
Thanks for having me.
Books by the Crew
59 comments:
Welcome aboard, Christie! I just finished "Gotcha" and, as always, it was a wild ride. Lots of fun!
You've given me some food for thought and I'm working on how to put a question forth on character traits and how much justification they need... Hey! There's my question! How much justification is needed?
If the character is a wild, wacky, over-the-top type...a lot? But if the character is just a mild bit of quirky??? Do all quirks need justification?
Hi Christie
Your post reminds me of a recent tribute to Tommy Cooper, the over the top comedy magician.
The magic usually failed, by design for comedy effect, but when it worked it produced rapturous applause. His performances always appeared haphazard and devoid of any planning which somehow made it funny.
In the tribute someone described one of Coopers preparation manuscripts where everything was described in precise detail, even the position of the ash tray where he would place a cigar. It was clear that deep thought and understanding of comedy had been needed to produce that haphazard 'out of control' effect!
I think you are in good company!
Where does the inspiration for this type of comedy originate. Is it a caricature of real life situations that you observe or pure imagination?
I looked for electronic versions of your books so that I could try one but without success. Are ebooks planned in the near future?
Over-the-top but not TOO much so - that put you on my to-read radar! I love books like that.
My own motivations... Hmm. The interesting thing is that, for some of the more over-the-top bits from my past, I have no idea what my motivation was. I can just look back and shake my head!
2nd Chance,
I'm not sure everything needs to be explained/jusitified. But I do feel the more you give a character a background that explains how him/her became the person they are, the more believable they are as characters.
It is human nature to want to figure people out. When you meet a new friend, you don't want her background given to you in a list, but as discover some quirkiness of her character, you become curious to where this came from. And when you learn the truth, it fleshes her out as a person.
Think of all the little crazy things you do or believe. Can you look back and find the motivation for this?
Thanks,
CC
Quantum,
Thanks! Good question. I think it's both. But for me, it's probably mostly the caricature of real life situations that motivates me the most. And the reason for this is because all humor has to have elements of truth. I just finished writing my blog for next week, and the subject is about my three-day babysitting adventure with my granddaughter.
The humor stems for the crazy things I did and experienced when caring for an infant. Has anyone ever checked a baby's diaper by sticking your finger inside? Why do we this? Don't we know if it's dirty what is in the diaper?
And oh goodness the things we say, i.e. "I'm gonna get a bit of toe," or "I'm gonna pinch your nose off!" No wonder kids grow up to have nightnares.
The humor stems from stepping back and looking at what we do and then looking at it again though humor glasses.
Thanks,
CC
Chris,
We must read some of the same authors, then. Funny thing is that most of my friends are a tad over the top, too. I was raised by parents who were able to look at life and laugh. Years ago, I discovered this one new-to-me historical author. I loved her stories. So I got all her backlist and started reading one after the other. After about two weeks and seven books, I realized I was feeling depressed.
It finally hit me that her stories, as wonderfully dramatic, and well told as they were, were downers. It really validated my own need to write romantic humor.
CC
Just popping by to say I've posted this on Win A Book.
Hi Bridget,
Thanks for posting this. You & Susan are great.
CC
Thanks for the link, Bridget! That's a cool site you have.
Oh good, the party is already in full force. LOL!
Hello, Christie!!! Thanks again for including us in your world wide blog domination. :)
I now understand why I love your style of comedy so much. I'm usually not a physical comedy kind of gal, but because your physical stuff is really normal people finding themselves in over-the-top situations, and realizing how crazy the situation is, it's something I can relate to.
It's the sense of befuddlement, which I never would have come up with. LOL! But that's a feeling I'm very acquainted with.
Do you ever have people in RL read your stuff and ask if some character is based on their escapades?
Hi Terrio,
Thank you for having me!!
You know Terrio, I have used traits of people that I know in books. My husband sees himself all the time. And he hears himself even more. He's always saying, "Hey, I said that!" or, "I would have done that." And he's right. He has a great sense of humor and I use a lot of that trait in my heroes. He doesn't have the abs that my heroes have, but hey, his sense of humor is fabulous.
And yes, that sense of befuddlement is a big key in believability.
Thanks girl.
CC
Hi Christie,
I'm not a writer but I certainly can't imagine characters not being based somewhat on people I know.
I have "Oh shit" moments all of the time. I tend to speak before I think. At my nephews wedding, I was wondering about a doctors' "trophy" wife without knowing his first wife was close by!!! Oops....
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
MJ,
That's one of those moments you just chew up the foot you just put in your mouth and swallow.
Thanks so much for stopping in.
CC
I love oh-shit moments. I really love them when they happen to other people and I just get to watch.
My Girl on the Grecian Urn book was littered with "dramatic" oh-shit moments. They were at least oh-shit to her. I mean, no one was holding anyone up with a gun. No one went postal. No one accidentally stole a car or built a bomb.
But her troubles basically start when she pinky swears not to get involved--at all in any way--with her best friend's soon-to-be brother-in-law, who is referred to as: That Rat Bastard. Of course, no one shows her a picture of the guy and when she meets a cute, funny guy at one of her friend's New Year's Eve parties--and he kisses her at midnight--she doesn't even imagine he's the Rat Bastard.
Of course he is. The more she tries to keep away from him, the more incriminating it looks that she's having an affair with him. They pop out of closets together; they're seen *gasp* talking; they end up at the same movie theater together...which really aren't anything, except her friend has such a fit that it all gets blown up.
Hi Christie! Wonderful post! We were actually just talking about you on ship yesterday -- we noticed your characters hide in the bathroom a lot (which is excellent, as I spend a lot of time hiding in the bathroom myself ;) So anyway, we were talking about the growing role of bathrooms in romance.
I read Divorced, Delicious & Desperate and Divorced, Delicious & Dating over vacation last month, and I adored both books. You do a phenomenal mix of humor and suspense that I haven't seen before. And you know, it never once occurred to me while reading that you're characters are a bit zany. Now that you mention all the quirks at once (the talking appliances, the vitamin C thing), they seem quirky, but while reading, I was right there with them, quirkiness and all. So thanks for explaining how you make them so believable, because you definitely got me to believe!
My character has one of those "oh shit!" moments. She's a reporter, and is lying about her name/occupation to get information out of the hero. He knows who she is, but is playing along (mostly to torment her). And at one point, he slips and calls her by her real name. Definite "oh shit" moment as she scrambles to figure out what to do next :)
I can't wait to read Gothca! Congrats on the release!
Hellion,
Sounds like a great plot. I love stories where there's a reason to pull away and a reason to pull together. Thanks for stopping by.
CC
I'm trying to think if my characters have any "oh shit" moments yet. There is the fact that everytime my heroine runs into the hero, they literally run into each other. He *nearly* hits her with a car, then he unwittingly knocks her down with a chair, and lastly he steps back on her because he doesn't know she's lurking behind him. Of course, the heroine blames him for all of this, which makes him think she's totally psycho. LOL!
The poor girl is terribly bruised up for the first few chapters.
I started Gotcha! a couple nights ago and I'm already finding it hillarious that the hero is a Baptist preacher's son. Definitely not the contemp hero stereotype. LOL!
Terrio,
You know how those preacher son's are!!
CC
a Baptist preacher's son? Oh my god, I have to go get this book.
Hi, haleigh!
Thank you so much. And you know I sort of glanced at the bathroom piece. I love bathrooms. They are the quiet room. Funny thing is that I write alot of interior design pieces about bathroom redos. So hey, I know about them, the different kinds of toilets, sinks, and bathtubs. LOL.
And now that you memtion it. In the Divorced, Desperate and Deceived, coming out in Nov., there are several more bathroom scenes. Gosh, I didn't realize how much I use the bathroom, I mean use bathrooms as settings, in my books, but you are right. Bathrooms are really in now!
Thanks for the post girl!
CC
LOL! Preacher's sons and daughters are the only ones with worse reputations than us Catholic school girls. ;)
Yup, I think you got that right, Terrio.
CC
Great post! Your points on a sense of befuddlement will be very helpful for me to keep in mind with my WIP.
Thanks!
Sabrina
Love this post! Welcome aboard Christie!
Your points and tips were awesome! I'm going to take this all away and give it some thought. I'm not sure if I write my character's own sense of befuddlement or logic. Mostly because I don't have any logic myself (as my college professor would surely love to tell you) but this was great advice for any and everyone looking to improve! And it was great insight into your own writing. If nothing else, those who've not had the chance to enjoy your novels will be encouraged to pick them up!
The poor Baptists. It's all that repression, I know.
Do you know why we baptists can't play cards?
Because playing cards leads to smoking; smoking leads to drinking; drinking leads to dancing; and dancing leads to sex.
So really, if you want to find a loose girl, just find one that plays cards.
Come to think of it, now I am understanding why our church elders were so scandalized by our preacher who used to organize "card parties" that were played in the basement of the church. Huh.
Sabrina,
I'm glad I offered just a bit of help. Good look on the WIP!!
CC
Thank you Sin!
And girl, logic is something hidden in our motives. I'm sure you make very wise illogical decisions. LOL.
Thanks for stopping in and I'm thrilled to be here.
CC
Hellion,
Hmm, I've always loved to play cards. I guess that says a lot about me. LOL.
CC
I love this post as well! Thanks for visiting Christie! :)
Sorry I couldn't post earlier; we were covered in electical storms and the first thing to go is always my internet.
I love quirky people. I think because I fit in so well with them. (Just check out this crew...) And you're right. In reality, we all have that relative or friend who does things we think are are "too weird" for fiction even but in context it makes sense. I think it makes me smile when I read a character like that. Hits close to home. :)
Interesting blog, Christie. And it sounds like you have had a rather interesting life. Your books sound wonderfully entertaining. I’ll definitely have to check them out.
I like to think that my life is quiet. That I am a serine, average, normal person… who just happens to be surrounded by nutty, slightly off kilter crazy people.
I’ve had more Oh Shit Moments then I’d like to admit. Here’s one example. Years ago I got a call from my son. All I’ll say is I KNOW that my DS set me up with this conversation :
“Hey mom, I’m taking a new class.”
“Really?’” I asked. Classes are Good. Classes sound save.
“Yah. The military wants all of its personnel to be aware of the problems with E.D.”
“OMGawd?” I thought , “Who knew that E.D. was such a big problem? But still …”
Now I swear. I tried not to say these next words out loud. But they just popped out… “I can’t believe that the military is making you take a class on Erectile Dysfunction!”
Wicked laughter boomed out of my phone’s earpiece . Laughter that was so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear. Jeez? What’s wrong with my DS? Erectile Dysfunction is Not a laughing matter. Finally I hear….
“Mom.”
“Whatttttt?”
“Mom, In the military E.D. stands for Explosives Device.”
Definitely an Oh Shit Moment.
Loved this post b/c you made me laugh and learn:)
Here's a few questions:
1) What do you consider the best way to introduce an over-the-top character --zaniness right out of the box or normal day and slow reveal?
2)How much do you rely on coincidences to provide laughter/conflict --for ex. two people avoiding each other showing up in series of same places?
Make that 'Classes sound saFe.'
Julie...they are explosive devices...when they aren't suffering from ED. ;)
Great post on characterization, girl!
As an aside, Christie and I are doing an online class this September for Colorado Romance Writers on writing the first chapter. If you're looking for a little boost to your first chapter, or have a friend who might need one, please feel free to let them know.
You can find info on registering at their website - http://www.coloradoromancewriters.org/onlineworkshops.html
Happy Writing!
Faye
Oh good, we're back. I couldn't get the site to load there for a while.
Faye - That first chapter is SO HARD to narrow down. Last summer, I trashed the first 80 to 100 pages of my WIP because it was all either not needed or could be weeded in through later parts of the story.
What usually strikes me funny is though the big thing now is to start in the middle of the action, I read books all the time that don't. Goes to show all rules are merely suggestions.
Hi, Terrio,
Yep. Rules are merely suggestions. If the writing is good enough, ANYTHING can work. I think faster openings are becoming the norm. A couple of years ago, I had to rework my first chapter to make it faster and I really did not want to do it. I think I said, "I will give up writing." Now, I always say something like that and Christie just goes, "Uh huh." This time, she took my chapter and started cutting.
She didn't know I was doing the same.
I cut more than she did, too. LOL.
Now, that chapter was amazing. The book didn't sell though - market trends, unfortunately. But everybody loved the fast pacing.
Faye
Yeah, I'm not sure I like this new trend a' starting somewhere in the middle a' the action. I suppose it say something 'bout the short attention span a' the reader?
Wait! I'm a reader, not just a writer... And I love a well written build up. Maybe that be the problem, not enough a' them be well written...
I'll be lookin' fer the class, Faye. I registered last time ya offered it, but then ya had ta cancel...
Marney Jo,
Thanks for having me!! And that electrical storm prevented me from getting on for a while. I'm glad it's back up and working.
And yup, we all have strange friends and oh lordie, that one strange relative. The one who always drops his in tie into the gravy every year. And since it looks as if he still had last year's gravy on it, the gravy isn't so appealing anymore.
Thanks for posting.
CC
Cant wait to read Gotcha. I went looking for it last night and the store was sold out. Keep up the good work.
I like the zany characters. I can relate to them.
I love this post -funny and educational.
I love that you say it has to be logical to the characater. It reminds me of how often my husband shakes his head at me, because what's logical to me is off the wall to him. Of course, I don't get his logic either. We've learned to make allowances for one another.
Gotcha has zoomed to the top of my TBB list!
Di
Okay, Julie. LMAO. But I'm not all together surprised that it was your version of ED. You have to remember that the army is run mostly by men and ED is right up there with world peace. I laugh every time I see those commercials that states, "I knew I had high blood pressure" or I knew I was a diabetic but I didn't know it could lead to ED." It's as if they are saying, "It doesn't matter if I kill over from a stroke or a heart attack, or if I lose my eyesite, but if my boytoy isn't going to work, then this is really serious!"
Love your 'Oh Shit!' moment.
CC
Our sons must be similar. My son loves getting one up on me, or shocking me.
Christie - Don't ya love how these adult men don't bother to learn what diabetes can actually do to their favorite toy? And HBP! I watch those commercials and think..."Well, twits! Educate yourself!"
Bloody drug companies think everything is just a pill cure away! Don't bother to learn about your disease, just take this pill! Don't worry!
*growl
Hi, 2nd Chance,
So sorry about the cancellation of the class. We're really looking forward to doing this one with CRW.
Faye
Rashda,
Good questions. 1)First I think that both techniques offer different results. Slow and easy may be a tad more believable, but the big intro into "crazy character' syndrome, can be funny and get the story jump started. I think it would vary to the situation and how far the reader would have to suspend belief. I remember the Suzan E. Phillips book that started out with her walking down the highway wearing a beaver costume. Suzan explained the reasons after we saw the character. It worked. I think I usually ease into the quirkiness, but I don't dilly dally too long before I bring out their quirkiness.
2)You can only go so far with real coincidences. But like those quirky traits, if you look deep enough you can find a way to make them more believable and less coincidental. For example, in Weddings Can Be Murder, I had my heroine's fiancé and her best friend run into each other when they didn't know each other. But I had set it up that my heroine had invited them both to dinner and just hadn't told them because she knew the best friend would start preparing a 101 questions and the fiancé just wouldn't care, as well as they hadn't had time to chat much. And when my heroine gets trapped in a dark room with the hero and doesn't make dinner, these two people run into each other while waiting at the bar. So the coincidental meeting wasn't really coincidental.
Finding ways to up the believability of your off-the-wall situations will help the story. I do some of this by foreshadowing the situation, and. or planting facts that make the situations read truer.
I hope that makes sense.
Thanks for stopping in.
CC
2nd Chance,
I wish I would have said that!!!! LMAO!!
CC
Thanks Faye! And my characterization isn't good, I'm blaming you. She's my critique partner guys. And she's great!
And thanks for posting the class, I totally forgot to post anything about that.
CC
Ahh, Terrio,
You are so right. The rules are constantly being broken. Unfortunately, the rule breakers are generally the multi-published. Not that some writers can't just get away with it because something in there voices or plot allows it.
Which is why I always say, know the rules and only break them on purpose.
CC
2nd Chance,
The right starting spot is always a tough one. I think it's the balance that works. I don't buy into the whole, "Backstory goes all the way in the back of the book," because I think if the backstory sets up character you need to dribble it into the story. But you should never have what I call "backstory" dumps. You can't let the backstory slow the story down. I think the story needs to start as close to the moment of change as possible. But if you must show a bit of the before world, make sure it has conflict that keeps the pacing fast and lends itself to the big change.
Does that make sense?
CC
Joelle,
I love ya, girl! And as I tell everyone who says they find a requested book sold out, please tell the manager. If people don't ask, they will not reorder. And those reorders make a huge difference.
Thanks so much.
CC
Di R,
I know exactly what you mean! They are crazy. And logic is overrated in real life!! LOL.
Thanks for joining in.
CC
2nd Chance,
Thank goodness someone else sees this. When these commericals come on, I say something smartass and my husband looks at me as if he doesn't get what I mean. MEN!!!
CC
This was a great craft lesson! Don't put me in the contest, since I'm already getting a book. I just came because you write terrific blogs. :)
Ahh Edie,
I love ya, girl.
CC
Thanks so much for being with us today, Christie. I know you had FOUR BLOGS going. LOL! It's been a blast. Now I need to head to bed to get more reading of Gotcha! in before lights out.
I'll keep this open tonight and pick the winner tomorrow morning.
Thanks Terrio.
Just get me the address and I'll ship out the book.
It's been fun!
CC
As a reader, not a writer. I cant really say what I would have my characters do. But I loved the post and as a reader it gave me a lot to think about when I am reading.
Hi Christie, I always so look forward to your posts! They make me smile and sometimes laugh right out loud. Today it was one that I so loved looking back to the books that I read of yours and the characters! Each of them have their unique personality, each stand out for who they are and I get to like them as I get to know them through the book. So when I read about those scenes of 'what did they do?!' mostly makes me laugh but its so them! I love to be surprised when I am reading. Not only what they do but what they say and think and 'just being themselves!
Donna S.,
It's scary understand the writer's mind, isn't it? LOL.
Thanks for popping over!
CC
Caffee,
Thanks so much! I do enjoy creating my quirky characters. Wait until you read Kathy's story in the third DD&D. I had so much fun writing that one. It will be out in late November.
CC
Post a Comment