Kaitlyn Ramp
asked
Katie McGarry:
In all stories there is a problem and a solution. In your PTL books all of the characters problems are so different, but some what relate to each other in a way. How do you come up with the ideas to their problems and how they overcome them?
Katie McGarry
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)[Hi Kaitlyn,
I recently wrote a Facebook posting that talks about how I start to come up with my characters and their problems. Here is the post: https://www.facebook.com/katielmcgarr...
After I figure out one of my characters, I then come up who they will be paired with. I like the idea that my characters are different, but when you get to the heart of the matter, they are actually dealing with the same problem.
It's a push and a pull. The characters must challenge each other, but at the same time, they need to have something in common. For instance, Echo is the good girl who is a people pleaser where Noah is a rebel who doesn't care what people think. Deep down, both are grieving.
As for how they overcome them, I have to come up with a moral problem that they must face at the 3/4 mark of the book. For Echo, will she step outside her shell and not care what people think and will Noah learn that not everyone is against him and can he learn to trust?
Once I have those questions in mind, I use my characters' differences and similarities to propel each other to the end of the story.
Thank you for the question!
Katie (hide spoiler)]
I recently wrote a Facebook posting that talks about how I start to come up with my characters and their problems. Here is the post: https://www.facebook.com/katielmcgarr...
After I figure out one of my characters, I then come up who they will be paired with. I like the idea that my characters are different, but when you get to the heart of the matter, they are actually dealing with the same problem.
It's a push and a pull. The characters must challenge each other, but at the same time, they need to have something in common. For instance, Echo is the good girl who is a people pleaser where Noah is a rebel who doesn't care what people think. Deep down, both are grieving.
As for how they overcome them, I have to come up with a moral problem that they must face at the 3/4 mark of the book. For Echo, will she step outside her shell and not care what people think and will Noah learn that not everyone is against him and can he learn to trust?
Once I have those questions in mind, I use my characters' differences and similarities to propel each other to the end of the story.
Thank you for the question!
Katie (hide spoiler)]
More Answered Questions

A Goodreads user
asked
Katie McGarry:
Why did you chose to do five books for the Pushing the Limits series?
Erin
asked
Katie McGarry:
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more