Take the Character Quiz

Characters are the heart of every story. Each must be unique, fully developed, and compelling. A challenging task for an author. I found it especially daunting with The Heart’s Charge since I had four main characters instead of the usual two.

When we meet someone in real life, we don’t instantly know their deepest secrets and spiritual passions. In the beginning all we really know about them is superficial. What they look like, perhaps their occupation, and possibly some basics about their temperament–shy, outgoing, grouchy, goofy, polite, etc. However, the more time we spend with them, the deeper our understanding penetrates. The same is true for an author as she creates characters.

First, we start with the superficial. What do they look like? Here are my inspiration photos for the four main characters of The Heart’s Charge.

Then, as I start building the plot, I dig in to who these people are. What drives them? What special skills or emotional strengths do they posses? What scars from their past helped shaped them? What were their families like? What are their deepest fears? What makes them feel insecure? How do they react under adversity?

I don’t use character worksheets like some authors do. I usually keep a few notes about physical appearance, but the core of who my characters are simply lives inside me like it would for a friend or family member.

During the months it takes to write the story, I come to know these “friends” on an even deeper level, and by the time the book comes to an end, they feel real to me, and I grieve just a little to tell them goodbye.

As a reader, I tend to relate best to characters who share some of my personal traits, passions, or backstory. With four characters in The Heart’s Charge, I thought it would be fun to develop a personality test to match reader to character. This is purely unscientific, of course, though I did feel as if I was finally putting some of my psychology training to use.

Quiz & Book Giveaway

After taking the quiz, leave a comment about which character matched you best.

One commenter will win an autographed copy of The Heart’s Charge!