What Makes a Character Complex?

[Gamal]

Who are your favorite characters? How does their complexity play into your desire to read about them?
For the writers out there, how do you create complex characters in your own writing?

My latest essay discusses the fundamental key for creating people your readers want to know.

http://bit.ly/XjISVj

Have fun.
Gamal

[Jim]

Fabulous post, Gamal. A lot there to ponder. Thanks.

I'm looking forward to your actual novels. I'm not such a big fan of shorts. Why, I don't know. I just think that you will come out with some excellent stuff in 80k or so words.

[Seeley]

Gamal wrote: "Who are your favorite characters? How does their complexity play into your desire to read about them?
For the writers out there, how do you create complex characters in your own writing?

My late..."

Interesting essay, it boils down to those oxymorons: the 'intelligent criminal' and the 'broken/fallen hero' doesn't it? As the movie producers say, give the hero a limp or an eye patch and they'll love him.

I just posted a similar article about how I created a deeper backstory for the heroine of my novels on Making It Real

Peace, Seeley

[Jim]

I thought Ripley had a little girl when she left on the first trip, but by the time she got picked up, the girl was old, hence her protective instinct fastened on Newt. to me that was a logical extension of her character.

[Gamal]

Seeley wrote: "Gamal wrote: "Who are your favorite characters? How does their complexity play into your desire to read about them?
For the writers out there, how do you create complex characters in your own writ..."

Interesting perspective sir. While there are a lot of writers who cut off their protagonists from real world relationships, there are many that use them for character development. Barry Eisler did it for John Rain, Le Carre did it for George Smiley and Greg Rucka did for both Addicus Kodiak and Lara Chance. But I agree its not the norm.

In terms of the oxymoron/ contradiction concepts I don't think it is as simple as fusing together two competing traits in the same character. If that were the case, most complex characters would just come across as schizophrenic which might not make for great fiction. ;)

[Gamal]

Jim wrote: "I thought Ripley had a little girl when she left on the first trip, but by the time she got picked up, the girl was old, hence her protective instinct fastened on Newt. to me that was a logical ex..."

You're right Jim, her backstory established a latent maternal instinct that won out over her fear and helplessness by the end of the film.