What Makes a Powerful Character

There are so many wonderful aspects to being a writer. It's a career for which I have a true passion and I feel so fortunate to share my labors of love with readers. From developing the storyline to creating a heightened sense of psychological tension that is always critical in my books to determining how much detail should be explicit versus left to the imagination, the entire process is amazing.

In addition to the components listed above, I also enjoy developing the characters that readers get to know through my pages. I spend a lot of time thinking about every person who plays a role in my novels. What are their fears? What drives them? What kind of relationships do they have? Is their physical presence intimidating, disturbing, captivating, etc.? I want the men and women in my novels to be three-dimensional and believable. When readers can relate to the characters, I think that makes the events that unfold even more thrilling and sometimes terrifying.

If you are reading this blog, you are likely a fan of thriller novels and/or crime dramas. So, I want your opinion on what makes a powerful character in the books we all love. What are some elements of your "ideal" villain? Does he live an isolated life, or is he charming and surrounded by women who adore him? Does she wear a power business suit by day and kill by night or is she the nanny who takes care of thee little children?

What about the person who is committed to solving the crimes?" Is your detective suave or bumbling, troubled by personal demons or dedicated to the ideals of fairness and justice, experienced and decorated or a rookie from whom no one expects great things?

Maybe there is a character in a novel you've read that stands out to you for some reason. Who is it and why? Or, if you haven't read a book that houses the criminal that sends shivers up your spine, create him or her for us now!

If you have not read my three novels— Compulsion , Dead Game , and Silent Partner —I hope you will do so and then let me know what you think of the characters I've created.