We are wrapping up the Wild Rose Authors Valentine’s Blog Tour. Comments left on this and the other Wild Rose Author’s blogs enters you into a drawing for the Week 4 prize and a chance at the Grand Prize package worth $50.
This week’s guest is contemporary YA and adult romance author Linda Kage and her blog post about creating unique characters.
If coming up with creative story ideas is all about answering the question “WHAT IF”, then I believe developing a unique character is all about answering the question “WHY”. Why do they do this? Why do they do that?
A woman is in her car, driving at break neck speeds while steering with one hand as she uses the other to wipe at the monsoon of tears cascading down her cheeks. WHY?
But don’t answer just one why; I want to know two different whys. What is the external conflict AND the internal conflict she’s dealing with to make her do this?
External why: maybe someone she loves is in the hospital and she wants to get to them as fast as possible before it’s too late to say goodbye.
Internal why: Maybe that someone in the hospital is a secret love she can tell no one about; she’s forced to cry alone and cannot share her pain with anyone.
After giving your character an internal AND external answer to WHY they do pretty much everything they do in the story, then you should toss in some unique traits, habits, and personalities. Is this woman shy and quiet or bold and outgoing? Does she have a sweet tooth and a purse full of empty and full M&Ms packages? Or does she have an OCD complex and carries around disinfectant everywhere to clean everything before she touches it? Or maybe she has a habit of saying a certain phrase over and over again or always tucks her hair behind her ear.
To go one step further, give the character a trait that’s totally unexpected of her, like a pilot who’s afraid of heights, or a private investigator who doesn’t smoke but is actually a health food nut. Take a clichéd, overused flat character and twist him or her around until he/she’s round.
Oh, and don’t forget to give them some really witty dialogue. I just love unforgettable lines, otherwise…Frankly, my dear, I won’t give a damn (sorry, couldn’t help it!).
And that is Linda Kage’s opinion about what makes a unique character—not that you should really listen to her opinion, though sometimes she even surprises herself and actually makes a notable remark (and maybe today is that day).
So, say hi to Linda and tell her about a unique character from your favorite book.
DELINQUENT DADDY
–Contemporary adult Romance
–released October 22, 2010
–buy link : http://www.thewildrosepress.com/delinquent-daddy-p-4274.html
–Video link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqegfvC_rbc&feature=player_embedded
–BLURB:
IT’S NOT EVERY DAY YOU LEARN YOU HAVE A NINE-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
Boston Kincaid’s life is forever changed when he reads the note from Cassidy Trenton, who’s looking for her daddy. Vividly remembering the girl’s mother, Boston is compelled to learn the truth about Cassidy’s paternity.
Single working mother Ellie Trenton is completely bowled over to find her old college flame, whom she hasn’t seen in ten years, loitering on her front porch when she comes home from work one day.
At the sight of each other, Boston and Ellie’s decade apart melts away, and that old chemistry between them flares back to life. But trust doesn’t come easily, and old wounds never healed properly.
Can Boston and Ellie learn to forgive and forget so they can experience the love they never shared, or will child custody battles keep them apart forever?
(Pages 294) Spicy
Make sure you visit the other authors on the tour at:
Meet author AJ Nuest at http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/
Meet author Lynne Roberts at http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/
Meet paranormal romance author Maeve Greyson at http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/
Meet author Amy Corwin at http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/
Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at http://maevegreyson.blogspot.com/
Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com/
Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage at http://www.jilljameswrite.com/blog
Meet paranormal, and historical romance author Caroline Clemmons at http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout
Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at http://lindakage.blogspot.com/
Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary romance at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/
Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at http://www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com
Jill James, romance writer 