Writer's Fallout Shelter

My characters and relationships tend to be the most important thing, and tend to 'materlialise' before plot or place, etc. I think I define the characters by their relationships, rather than what they look like, or there background, etc.

They can come from anywhere, often things seen on TV.

On of my favourite characters came from a Jerry Springer show about obesity. There was an overweight woman and her father on. The father was constantly telling her she looked awful, she had to lose weight, she'd do better if she wasn't so fat, that it was no wonder she couldn't keep a boyfriend, etc., you get the idea. The funny thing was the father clearly loved her and thought he was doing the best thing (encouraging her) with his disparaging remarks.

She became my main character, and her father and husbands belittling of her, and how she reacts, became a key aspect of the story.

Once created my characters tend to take on a life of there own. They do things I hadn't planned on.

And I like flawed characters. All characters should be flawed. Flawed is real and interesting. Flawed people have to come to terms witha nd do battle with their flaws. Perfect is just a fairy story. Perfect is boring.

So yes lauriemariepee, write about a dull, cowardly hero.

Write on!!
AngelEyes