I don’t care what kind of book you write, if you don’t have engaging characters readers will only hang around for so long. There are those who believe plot is equally important, but I disagree. I’ve read books with inane plots that made no sense, and still I hung in there because I fell for the characters. On the other hand, if I can’t connect with the characters, I’ll never finish the book.
My books usually start with the idea of a couple of characters and then I weave the story around them. I honestly don’t do a lot of research about my characters. I discover them as the story unfolds, in much the same way the reader does. That first draft is always exciting because even though I have a general idea of who/whom my characters are, they always end up surprising me.
I’m writing this blog today because I just fell for my hero in my current WIP in a very big way. He’s so much more kind-hearted than I ever imagined. And he loves the heroine beyond the beyond, of course he can’t tell her that. He’s a manly man, and even he is shocked by how much he cares for this woman.
What seals it is the heroine isn’t the easiest person to love. She’s closed off emotionally and extremely protective of her heart. She likes things a certain way and prefers order over chaos. Though when she’s with the hero everything is thrown off balance.
They’re both strong people, which makes the sparks fly when they do come together. And chemistry is a huge part of what does or doesn’t make a character work. I see it all the time in film and television. There’s a couple on screen who just doesn’t connect. They go through the motions, but the emotions and chemistry are not there. That happens in books too.
There’s a reason why the majority of women who read Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice fall for Mr. Darcy. Sure he seems like a snob at the beginning, but he’s handsome and we get the feeling there’s more to him than meets the eye.
That’s what writers must do if they want to make a character interesting. It isn’t something you hit the reader over the head with and say, “look my hero is a really good guy.” You do it subtly so that your reader falls for him around the same time your heroine does.
But it doesn’t have to just be with the romantic characters. Chemistry is an important part of all relationships. There’s a new show coming on FX called Terrirers. It’s about a PI and his best friend who solve cases. It stars Donal Logue and Michael Raymond-James as the best pals.
When I had a chance to talk to them a few weeks ago, I mentioned their chemistry. Turns out they’d known each other for some time, and they even lived together while making the show. They’re best friends in real life too, which comes across on screen.
Those secondary characters in our books deserve just as much attention when it comes to creating the chemistry they have with those around them. When I was working on the Bronwyn books, I had to make sure all those secondary characters were just as emotionally deep and fleshed out, as she was. Same with the Caruthers sisters and in my new Blazes. Many times those secondary characters get their own books, so it’s important that I create that chemistry with the reader from the beginning.
So how about you? Do you have characters who stand out for you in books, television or film? Tell us why.
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Great post! I’m working on a WIP where the hero had a cameo role in the previous manuscript, and it’s fun to learn more about him. Who knew I’d love him even more than the previous hero? LOL
One of my fave shows is “White Collar”, and it’s because of the chemistry between the two main characters, Peter the FBI guy, and Neal the con man helping with cases. They have such a fun, easy-going chemistry–finishing each others’ sentences, teasing about the other one’s quirks. They manage to make the characters seem to genuinely care about each other too. It’s fun to watch them bring these characters to life.
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I love White Collar too. Good writing and that chemistry between Matt Bomer and Tim DeKay really sells that show. I can’t wait to see what they do next.
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I immediately thought of Eve Dallas and Rourke. The chemistry is wow!
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Rhonda, I have a serious thing for Roarke. I haven’t read those books in years but he’s a character that has always stuck out in my head. The same thing with Eve. She’s so tough and yet vulnerable. That Nora Roberts knows how to write a character.
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I agree. I think we need more indepth characters in order to understand ‘why’ the plot affects them so adversely. Readers need someone to root for or hate to keep them spellbound. Empty characters will only make them not care either way.
Take the show Supernatural for an example. The dynamics of the brothers and their lives being adversely affected by demons make them who they are. If we didn’t know this about them, the whole idea of them being hunters, wouldn’t mean a single thing. (Hugs)Indigo
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Indigo, Interesting that you brought up Supernatural. They have the best bromance on television.
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I think my challenge isn’t so much creating compelling characters, it’s finding the way to show how they are compelling. Honestly, I have an entire village-worth of people in my head who I find fascinating. But often when I sit down to tell their stories, I struggle to translate that wonderfulness from my brain and on to paper.
Same thing with relationships. I have pairings that move me to tears, but I sometimes struggle to capture that in words. I suppose this is why writing is so much harder than most people think it is.
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Lynn, I find that if I’m writing it and it makes me cry, I’m probably doing something right.
Always make sure if you’re in a character’s head, that you are seeing and feeling exactly what they are. You’re talented, I bet you are better at it than you think you are. 
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Oh boy, I love to talk about characters. Those are the ones I dream about, can’t help but write, take over my life, get in the way of everything and get people next to me asking if I’m okay at Starbucks when I am balling my eyes out.
I just blogged about this last week on Wicked Writers. When we fall in love with a character, we care about them. If we don’t care about what happens to them (I could read Jamie Fraser taking apart a printing press or sharpening his sword and would be mesmerized with every word) it doesn’t matter a bit about the plot! it would be kind of fun, wouldn’t it, to get people to post their favorite character doing something like changing the oil or doing laundry? Anything! if we love the character.
Thanks for the great, inspired post.
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LOL that is a good idea about the characters doing mundane things. Though that’s the kiss of death in book world.
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This post just made me realize, I think i have the characters falling for each other too soon, at least the main ones. I know the other secondary characters had to fall for each other right away, love at first sight. I think though i need to back off on the main character (dragon) to stay true to his nature, he needs to kill more men, and less love. Fun of editing. (p.s. thanks for the extra work. lol)
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Andrew, Always happy to oblige.