Character Series: Part One, Why Characters are Important
Welcome to my week long Character Series! Get ready to focus each day on a new aspect of character development, writing tips and exercises included! Think I’m joking? NO! 
Why is character development important enough to devote a week of my blogging time? Well, if writers can be divided in camps of plot driven versus character driven stories, I’m DEFINITELY in the character driven group.
My characters are usually the first thing to come to me when writing a story. Nathan Bransford recently did a post where he mentioned his general belief that a story has to come before the characters. (But he did say how it’s all about balance and the characters are important as well.) He also discussed whether the character or the writer should be in charge of the story. It is a power struggle sometimes, isn’t it?
I have a different opinion on the order of story development, but it’s based solely on my own writing experience. For me, characters come first and then they tell me their story next. (I’ll go into more detail on this in the next post.)
I always know I love a book when I can imagine running into a character in real life. If it’s natural to think I could pass them at a red light, minding their own fictional business, I know the author got it. They brought that character to life in a way that leaves me affected by them even after the book is finished.
Why are characters so important? To me, characters are the heartbeat of a story. I will toss a book down without finishing it if the story doesn’t have good characters. I don’t care how cool the plot is if I don’t even care who it’s happening to.
How do you know when an author has accomplished strong and memorable characters? Do you have a favorite character of all time? What comes first, plot or characters?
Check back every day this week for a new part to my character series. I’ll be addressing topics like:
- characters in your daily life
- naming
- use of journaling and pictures
- talking out your characters
- non-related and hidden scenes
Literary character of the day: Atticus and Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird.
Song of the day: This to Shall Pass by Ok Go (awesome, awesome video)
OMG Love that video – so cool! You can’t get much better than Atticus and Scout – great picks!
Look forward to this series – as you know – I need it ;o)
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Regan Leigh Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
You got the smaller version of this early.
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Hey, Regan, I love this!!
I’m much better with characters than plot myself and I agree that I have to care about the character or I lose interest! If I find myself experiencing emotion on behalf of the character, that’s when I know it is done well!
I’m excited about your series!!
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Regan Leigh Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
“experiencing emotion on behalf of the character” – Yes.
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Characters is where I struggle so I’ll definately read this with much attention (might even take notes). I have the characters clearly in my mind and we talk every day. It’s getting them to show on paper the same way they do in my head where I have troubles.
Can’t wait to read and maybe learn something new!
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Regan Leigh Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
I hope the series helps you even if just with something small!
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Can you believe Harrison hated To Kill a Mockingbird???? Sooooo frustrating to have a kid who hates to read fiction!!!
As a reader (not at all a writer…but I figure your blog readers might like to hear from a reader too), that’s what it’s all about for me. You can have a great story line and people I don’t care about and I’m going to put the book down.
Your characters rock. I either love (Hayes) or hate (Bridget) them. Some of them had to grow on me (Evan and Mallory), but your books are DEFINITELY full of great characters.
(And I love that video!)
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Sylvie Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 9:54 am
ooh…. one more thing.
I’m giving you an award. Mostly because I think that the title of this one will make you laugh since you are soooooo not “sunny”
It’s the sunshine award! (ha!!!!!)
http://sylviebeads.blogspot.com/2010/03/i-almost-wrote-monday-but-realized.html
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I love Atticus! ( :
I’m so excited for this week!
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Sylvie Reply:
March 9th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Madeline,
I soooooo need some YA suggestions from you! My son I mention in the above comment who hated TKAM is 14 and has problems finding books he likes. I’m going to write you a note later with some questions.
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“I don’t care how cool the plot is if I don’t even care who it’s happening to.”
That’s really what it all boils down to, right? Way to sum it up.
Personally I’m really drawn to relationships between characters. Those really great groups of friends that come together to solve the mystery or save each other. Those groups of characters that make me wish I was a part of that group. Especially where the interplay between them is so flawless that you can imagine they’d been friends forever.
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Regan Leigh Reply:
March 13th, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Oh! Agree.
Those groups are great to read and also become a part of. 
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