Jeff’s answer to “Many of your stories feature strong female leads. Can you expand upon your reasoning for focusing o…” > Likes and Comments
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I apologize if these questions have been posed before but in lieu of your response here, I’m interest in learning what your character development strategy typically look like? By beginning with the character arc first – how long does it usually take to bring a character to life (whether it’s a female lead like Lia, male lead like Owen, or supporting character)? Is there a time when you simply create the character and let them grow as the story progresses or is there a general sense of the character before they are placed in the story’s environment? (Ankarette is fast becoming my favorite character – reading The Poisoner’s Enemy currently).
Many of my characters are inspired by history or real people that I know. Ankarette, for example, was a historical person during the War of the Roses, someone so obscure that doesn't get a lot of credit. The idea of her came when I was working on my master's degree in the 1996. So that character incubated for a very long time. Often when I'm reading, a character or idea will strike me. I'll write a note about it on my phone and stick it in a certain folder called "book ideas" and let it ferment for months or even years. Then I'll match it to a story arc later on. I'm teaching a class next weekend called The How of Creativity at the Storymakers conference. I'll be revealing more of my secrets there...
Thank you so much for your insight. I truly love your stories and relate to each of the characters in different ways. I cannot wait to see what else you have in stored!
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Ashley Bennett
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Apr 30, 2019 07:55AM
I apologize if these questions have been posed before but in lieu of your response here, I’m interest in learning what your character development strategy typically look like? By beginning with the character arc first – how long does it usually take to bring a character to life (whether it’s a female lead like Lia, male lead like Owen, or supporting character)? Is there a time when you simply create the character and let them grow as the story progresses or is there a general sense of the character before they are placed in the story’s environment? (Ankarette is fast becoming my favorite character – reading The Poisoner’s Enemy currently).
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Many of my characters are inspired by history or real people that I know. Ankarette, for example, was a historical person during the War of the Roses, someone so obscure that doesn't get a lot of credit. The idea of her came when I was working on my master's degree in the 1996. So that character incubated for a very long time. Often when I'm reading, a character or idea will strike me. I'll write a note about it on my phone and stick it in a certain folder called "book ideas" and let it ferment for months or even years. Then I'll match it to a story arc later on. I'm teaching a class next weekend called The How of Creativity at the Storymakers conference. I'll be revealing more of my secrets there...
Thank you so much for your insight. I truly love your stories and relate to each of the characters in different ways. I cannot wait to see what else you have in stored!
