How Do You DIve Deeply into Character? NaNoWriMo Day 2

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My goal is to write a 200 page novel draft in 30 days as part of National Novel Writing Month. So far, I’m on track.

There’s more to writing a novel than transmitting the actual story. Sometimes there’s research, but to me one of the most important things to do is dive deep into the characters.

It’s important to know your main characters’  backstory, even if all of it never reaches the page. I’m not one for crafting a huge profile, but if the character is going to feel as if she can breathe any moment, she must feel real.

People react to things, have memories intrude on conversations, and have random thoughts that turn out to have a reason. Characters should too.

Today, I decided to let my protagonist Kassidy write a letter to her father, who kicked her out to live with an aunt. This missive will not appear in the book, but I learned so much about her by doing this.

Here is an excerpt of what came to me. I’m astounded what bubbles up from the depths.

Background – Kassidy’s letter to her estranged Pa

To give a little background, Kassidy is writing the letter to her Pa. Randy is her husband who died in the war in Afghanistan. Russ is a friend who becomes a possible love interest in the book.

Randy and I started dating in high school. I think Russ wished I’d have gone out with him. I liked him a lot, but Randy and I were like peas in a pod. He asked me to the school dance. We used to get an ice cream on Saturdays and sit at the picnic bench watching the sun set.

Yeah, we were high school sweethearts. He gave me a promise ring.

It was real cute what happened Before Randy gave me the promise ring, he came over to my house and went to Aunt Beck. He acted all jittery and strange, not at all like his usual self I didn’t know what was up. I wanted to hear, so while he was in the kitchen talking with her, I went around back and held a glass to the back door. Who’s the spy now?

He told her he wanted to give me a promise ring and to make me his wife when we were both old enough. I was so excited and startled I dropped the glass. It broke on the porch, I didn’t want to get caught. No critters to rustle up into making noise. Beck opened the door and I said I had tripped on the steps and dropped my lemonade. Good thing that’s what had been in the glass before I used it for surveillance.

We thought we’d be one of those couples who celebrates 60 or more years and grow old together, but it wasn’t to be.

That is a funny story about the ring, and I didn’t know it. Maybe I’ll turn it into a short story.

Who knows what will bubble up from YOUR inner knowing when you let yourself be free to write.

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Ronda Del Boccio

speaker and Teller of transformational tales

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