It's a lot more complicated than I thought!! The language is difficult and the lines of doctrine are fuzzy to a modern day Protestant. I had taken an avenue to discover something that would not be found in a simple read-thru. BUT, all hope was not lost.
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Even dead-ends are steps in the right direction!
Yes, even when you get absolutely nothing (so it seems) out of delving into something the character would surely understand/identify with...you are learning something about them indirectly. I learned that a surface exploration of my character's religious life would not suffice. I had to dig my way out of the dead end and find more about the religious climate of the time...the influences that shaped young Protestant minds like my character. I am still in the process of understanding, but I feel like I am taking that next step in growing a fictional friendship with my heroine, and that's one step closer to understanding who she really is!
Now, it's your turn.
What have you discovered about your character through walking in their shoes? Would you care to share some writing fresh from the discovery? Check out my last post from last time if you haven't yet. Maybe you'll find some ideas for your own characters.
I can't wait to hear from Ron, Jeanne, and Esther who took the challenge and are in a drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card!!
Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across cultures. She is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. Check out Angie's personal blog at www.angiedicken.blogspot.com
What have you discovered about your character through walking in their shoes? Would you care to share some writing fresh from the discovery? Check out my last post from last time if you haven't yet. Maybe you'll find some ideas for your own characters.
I can't wait to hear from Ron, Jeanne, and Esther who took the challenge and are in a drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card!!
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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across cultures. She is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. Check out Angie's personal blog at www.angiedicken.blogspot.com
I love this, Angie. My heroine for my WIP is a single mom who's a widow. I'm not a widow, but I got a taste of what being a single mom is like when my husband was out of country for most of last month. I journaled some of what I experienced and felt through different life things that happened. And the weariness.....Oh, I had that in spades. I also got together with a new friend who is a widow. It was interesting to think about what I talked about with her and how I tempered some of my thoughts about my husband because hers is now in heaven. It was good food for thought.
ReplyDeleteLoved this exercise. :)
I didn't get as much time as I would have liked to work on my character (an antagonist), but I still did learn a few things. He's got a secret (which he hasn't quite let me into yet), and he's also willing to do anything including killing his family to achieve his ends.
ReplyDeleteI've learned a few other things besides that, but that's the most of it.
Fun challenge! :)
Jeanne,
ReplyDeleteThat's a great experience to understand your character more! I remember the days when my husband traveled for his job...it made me respect single moms so much more! Thanks for sharing...sorry it took me so long to get back...have been single mommin it too!
Angie
Ooh, that's intriguing, Esther! What did you to do to discover that? Thanks for updating us!
ReplyDeleteAngie
After thinking over the plot, it became obvious that he had to be that way. The secret part was a bit trickier, and after some help/encouragement from a writer's group I'm part of that clicked in place as well. :) Now my challenge is making his actions true to his character and life goal!
ReplyDelete