On Depth of Character by Donald Maass

I find NY agent Donald Maass often instructive. I needed this observation today:

So how can we ensure that our characters are as passionately engaged on the page as they are in our minds?  The easiest way to excavate their passions is to develop—and put on display—their opinions.

How does your protagonist feel about grunge boots?  Puccini?  Porcini mushrooms?  Hegel's idea of a civil society?  The future of aviation?  Texting while walking?  It's interesting to learn such opinions, isn't it?

That's my point.  Characters who are engaged—who care about things, small and big—in turn engage us.

via Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » Depth of Character .

I tend to hold back too much in my writing. It's time I let Claude have her say.

On Depth of Character by Donald Maass is a post from: Sandra Gulland's blog.