Guest Author: A Note on Characterization by Cynthia Vespia [NOW CLOSED]

A Note on Characterization

by

Cynthia Vespia

A while back on my blog, I wrote about what it took to create a genuinely interesting "villain." It got some massive feedback, not least of which was the agreement that "villain" was an outdated term. People prefer to say "antagonist." So now I thought it time to honor the other half, the "hero" or "protagonist." No matter whom your lead is in the story they have to be every bit as engaging , thought provoking, and relatable as the antagonist - more so really because they are the ones that drive your story. The protagonist is who the reader/viewer will go on the journey with. 

Audiences today are far more intelligent than to accept the cookie-cutter "good guy" who can do no wrong. They want depth, a character with a true soul. In recent years the "anti-hero" has become popular as a leading character, ie: the rebel, the one who doesn't follow the rules or has a shaky or questionable past. It's important to give all of your characters multi-dimensions so they leap off the page/screen. 

In development of a series you want your character to grow, to take on even more elements - essentially to be a real person. A great example of this (one I've only recently stumbled upon so forgive me if its a bit outdated!) is the character of Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan on the hit TV show "Bones." I haven't had the pleasure yet of reading Kathy Reichs work from which the series and the character were born, but I can say that the delivery on screen from actress Emily Deschanel is exactly what I'm getting at. She is the epitome of a character with great depth and multi-levels. She has her basic background from which to draw - forensic anthropologist - but each week she branches out and develops more and more levels to her that makes the character endearing, memorable - you wan't to find out what's going to happen next time so you come back for more.

Sequels in novels are only sightly different. You're not showcasing your work on a weekly basis so the growth and impact of the character has to be lasting throughout and large enough to keep your audience hanging on until the next installment is released. With my sequel for Demon Hunter - Seek & Destroy - I knew my protagonist Costa needed to have that development in place. 

He went from a young boy to a young man in part I - The Chosen One - so now in Demon Hunter 2 he is coming into his own power. He relies more on himself and has to trust his own instincts rather than drawing from alot of outside sources. It's growth. But in books as is in life you find out who you are by interacting with people, not through isolation alone. Costa's companions return from The Chosen One and they too experience their own growing pains. Each one must contend with their own set of internal "demons" and personal struggles as they continue on their quest to eradicate evil.

Life is spicy, readers demand their novels to have the same flavor of realism. One dimensional just won't cut it anymore. Use slice-of-life and make those characters "pop." I find characterization one of the most pleasing aspects to writing. You get to create an entire person with real attributes and a real past, goals, hopes, dreams, fears...anything you want really. That is the true beauty of fiction.

Demon Hunter: The Chosen One and Demon Hunter 2: Seek & Destroy are available via AspenMountainPress.com

Cynthia Vespia 

Author of Thrills and Chills

Website | My Space | Twitter | Blog

Watch the thrilling TRAILER

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Okay, onto the CONTEST!

Cynthia is giving away Demon Hunter: The Chosen One, available via PDF, PRC, or LIT. All you have to do for the chance to win a copy is the following:

1. Blog/tweet about contest and leave link with comment

2. Leave comment with a valid email address

That's it - it's that simple!

This is open WORLDWIDE!! Ends 10th Dec 2009. Winner announced 11th Dec 2009.

GOOD LUCK!