Turning the Lense of Character Development Upon Myself

We’re all flawed in some way – and its not necessarily a bad thing.

I have a list of 100 questions which I have compiled over the years to help me flesh out the characters I write about. Everything from religious views and level of education completed to bad habits and unrealized dreams falls somewhere on the list.  Its always a chore to complete this questionnaire as I create my characters but it  pays off in the end.

In fact, a little known detail about the popular character of  Frank Griggs from my thriller Asylum Lake – he squeezes the loaves of bread at the supermarket.  April would cringe every time she saw him walk into Kroger because she knew a slew of people would be complaining about the bread.

Why is that level of detail important? Good question. It’s not like that weird habit ever made its way onto the printed page. It does help me, however, figure out what makes a character tick.  I always heard that the true measure of a man can be taken by how he acts when he thinks nobody is looking. Well, love him or hate him, Frank Griggs squeezes the bread when he thinks nobody is looking!

Late last night I turned myself loose on those 100 questions and answered them as honestly about myself as I could.  Although I came to no earth-shattering conclusions, I did realize that in many ways I really don’t know who I am. Like many of you, there is the “public me” and the “private me and somewhere in the shadows between lurks the real me.

A few items of note, however, may surprise you. Although I religiously quote Pearl Jam lyrics, I am mostly likely to find myself singing songs of a much less cool variety (of late it has been Hall & Oates).  I often find myself driving with my blinker on – and yet still complain when I see others doing it. Most shocking to me, however, is the realization that people are often much better friends to me than what I reciprocate.

So to those of you who count me as friend,  please know that I have put myself on warning (a double secret probation of sorts).  Your friendship and support is greatly appreciated.

In light of this new-found insight, I am off to do a bit of writing. Although I promise Pearl Jam to be my soundtrack this afternoon, know that it is the lyrics to Rich Girl that calls to me.