Wednesday, December 28, 2016

Giving Your Characters Dimension - Keta Diablo

Hello, and thanks for stopping by The Romance Writers Behaving Badly blog. We're glad you're here. We'll ring in the New Year soon and for writers that means setting new goals. Today, we're going to talk about giving your characters depth. I hope this article will inspire you to read more articles about character depth. There's a great link at the end of the article that walks you through how to make bios for your characters. 




Have you ever read a review where the reviewer points to *shallow* characters in the novel? I know I have, and that’s why I feel it’s so important for writers to allot their characters depth. So what is depth, and what do you mean by “dimensional” characters?

It’s crucial readers understand who the characters are; what makes them tic, and particularly what the character’s identifying features are? I’m not necessarily talking about physical features, but consistency and manner of speech, body language and internal thoughts on how he/she views the world. A character is not merely a gorgeous person with eyes of blue. He/she is a composition of many events that has made him/her what they are today.

Their emotions are multifaceted and often conflicting. They could come from troubled backgrounds or perhaps were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Whatever the case, in order for readers to understand and relate to your characters, writers need to delve into their history to make them likeable and real (or not so likeable in the villain’s case). It’s also important the readers believe, and can picture, the character existing before your story even began, thus the history.

Shallow characters (one-dimensional) have no real story, no identifying aspects to their personality. They’re merely walk-ons in your novel and won’t make lasting impressions. Readers will soon get bored with reading about someone they can’t identify with or like, and will no doubt put the book down. This is the last thing we want them to do.

Two-dimensional characters might have one identifying trait or a smidgen of history, but why stop there? Write your characters as if they are a person you’d love to know, in fact, you’re so fascinated by their thoughts about life, their opinions, you long to know everything about them, including their past.

If your hero or heroine lacks depth or dimension, reviewers/readers might refer to them as *cardboard characters* another term you want to avoid at all costs. This means they’re typical ordinary, forgettable people or par for the course in motives and goals. While writing about them, you might have hinted about a like or dislike they possess, but there you stopped, leaving the thought underdeveloped without explaining why they dislike the color purple or why the adore women in hats. What’s the history behind their abhorrence, fetish or passion?

One of the great things about writing is that you, the author, have control over the portrayals of your characters. Make them bigger than life; exaggerate their habits, annoyances, likes and dislikes. Make every aspect about them memorable in the reader’s mind.

You won’t regret giving a little dimension to your characters’ personalities.

Here’s an excellent article from The Writing Tools Blogspot about Writing Character Bios for your stories. Why don’t you try it?  http://thewritingtools.blogspot.com/2009/07/character-bios-why-and-how.html

Happy writing and reading! Keta

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About Keta

Check out Keta's latest release, a sweet historical romance
SKY DREAMS, Book 3 in the Sky Series. (First book, Sky Tinted Water, Second book, Sky Dance.
 
Keta Diablo lives in the Midwest part of the United States on six acres of woodland. When she isn't writing or gardening she loves to commune with nature. A lifelong animal lover, she also devotes her time and support to the local animal shelters.

Keta's a bestselling Amazon author who writes in several genres, including western romance, historical romance, paranormal romance and the occasional gay romance. Her books have received numerous Top Pick, Book of the Month and Recommended Read reviews.

You can find her on the net at the following places:Author Home

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