Character Development--Delving into the Unknown by Connie Vines #RR85 @connievines_autnor

How do you develop a character who is different

in personality from all the other characters you have developed, or from yourself?

This month's topic took a bit of reflection on my part. 

It seems each one of my characters is different in personality, goals, dreams, and motivation.  Of course, if it is a romance story/novel  the plot-line and the characters are focused on love and romance; a mystery focuses on the mystery and a search for clues; fantasy, the norms of this other-world.  However, I visualize each of my characters in his or her own right.  Therefore, each is different from any characters who have come before, or will come after.

While none of my characters are me.  The way I look at the world, my sense of humor, likes and dislikes are often part of a character's world.

I dislike turnips, vegan 'meat', the color orange, turtle-neck clothing, and wedged shoes.  It is doubtful any of my characters will wearing an orange turtle-neck sweater, pants, wedged shoes at an event while holding a plate filled with a vegan hamburger sliders and turnip-fries.

In my current release is part of the box-set: LAST CHANCE BEACH, Summer's End. 
In"Paradise Perfume" my heroine, Tempest Javid, owns a Perfumery and is a fragrance consultant.  I have a background in perfuming and my skills are her skills (and more highly developed than my own).  Tempest's personality and goals are hers and hers alone.

 I find the characters unfold as my story develops. 

This wasn't always the case.

Until recently, I wrote very detailed plot-lines, character sketches, etc.  For my story,  "Paradise Perfume" I have a very basic plot line: the simple W method and only physical details and notes about my characters.

I just sat at my computer and wrote.  Dialogue popped into my head (which is the usual for me), but the plot-line just unfolded.
I go back the next day, write, and find I thought of details to go back and add in: a bracelet to be worn, her favorite fragrance,
his past history, etc.  I guess I'm officially a 'panster' now.  I'm writing by the seat of my pants without a net to catch me!

Link to LAST CHANCE BEACH, Summer's End.
only 99cents on preorder!



My next release: Gumbo Ya Ya--an anthology for women who like Cajun romance, is an August release @ BWL publishing Inc.

Marrying of Murphy, is a fun, fast-paced story, Love Potion # 9,  (Persia Richmond is a perfumer who may have/ or may not have developed a Love Potion).  So one again, my perfuming skills are are a part of the plot-line!  A Slice of Scandal, a mini-TV cooking show murder/mystery, and The Pirate Ghost, a time-travel love story.

Publisher's Website/ Gumbo Ya Ya


See what these talented writers have to say about character development!

Connie


Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1Y4
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

Charming and Likable Villains in my Novels by Connie Vines

Charming and Likable Villains in my novels/short stories.

Thank you Dr. Bob for this month's topic.

I must confess, most of my villains are villains in the true sense of the word and beyond redemption.  However, in my YA novels, my villains are 'tarnished'.  

Due to the subject matter for YA readers the bad-guy/gal in the story are 'tarnished'. Usually at one-point-in-time, they were good people.  Often with a life-time of good-works but for some reason he/she lost their way/purpose; or events of the past turned them into someone who is acting out of character/mentally ill.

Such is the case with Sister Enid, in Tanayia--Whisper upon the Water.
Sister Enid, at the start of her career made great improvement is the boarding schools for Native American children.  However, over the years she lost her compassion and her mind (all of which lies in her past--on explained due to spoilers).  

In my romance, Gothic, and other genre novels and stories, my villains are either purely evil (as in a paranormal or suspense), or tarnished.

Who do I consider a 'tarnished' or 'charming' villain?

In television series:

Lex Luthor of Smallville fame.

He had to be friends with Clark Kent. While evolving as a 'master criminal' to bring down Superman.

Hook of Once Upon A Time

Gone is the long-hair and bright pirate clothing we expect form this character.
Instead, he is dressed in mostly black attire with shorter hair, making him extremely clever and with behind the scene plans and schemes we don't usually is in Captain Hook. Just when you think he's turned into 'a good guy' he jumps right back to being the villain again.

Jim Moriarty of Sherlock

He's a genius criminal consultant, superior to Sherlock in every way.  In the end you think Sherlock wins but you're not close into the big picture. Moriarty still got what he wanted!

In novels:

Classic Literature

I have found that to character deemed the 'villain/evil person' in classic literature need to be 'given a second chance'.

Frankenstein's Monster (for heaven sake, look at this guy's backstory).

Long John Silver of Treasure Island fame.

Bertha Rochester of Jane Eyre fame.

Count Dracula of Bram Stoker's novel and of the 1992, Francis Ford Coppola movie fame.  There was also an excellent film were Dracula starts out as a hero.  In an effort to save him people and family, he knowingly because a vampire and is a hero in the end. Dracula Undead, 2014.  The perfect example of a heroic villain.

Do I believe that a villain can be portrayed as charming and likable?  Yes.

Will I have a charming and likable villain in one of my future novels?

Perhaps.  I do have a soft spot for 'vampire love-stories'.

Please visit these wonderful authors and see what they have to say!

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/
Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea
Victoria Chatham http://www.victoriachatham.com
Beverley Bateman http://beverleybateman.blogspot.ca/
Helena Fairfax http://www.helenafairfax.com/blog
Anne Stenhouse  http://annestenhousenovelist.wordpress.com/
Margaret Fieland http://margaretfieland.wordpress.com
Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-1UN
Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com

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