Interviewing Your Characters

Sandra here, enjoying a lovely walk on the beach of Unpubbed Island. Walking helps me plot a story. I discover my best ideas while walking.

However, all the ideas in the world aren't going to make the story come alive.

Characters are the key.

Haven't you heard editors say they want character driven stories?

I started a new wip and had great ideas for the plot. The setting is in Sedona which is one of the most beautiful places in the world with all the red rock spires and canyons. In spite of an exciting and action filled beginning, I couldn't get moving past chapter two.

The heroine lives on a large piece of land bordering the wilderness area. A flashflood threatens a hiker with a small child (the hero and his nephew). She gets them out of harms way and takes them to her cabin which is now isolated because of washed out roads.

For a youtube peek of a flashflood watch this before and after video.

Here's the blurb for that story:

Geri does not want to leave her grandmother's isolated ranch, so she can't fall in love with the man she rescued from a flashflood, especially when that man works for a relief organization that chases global disasters.

I took the first chapter to a friend who said "nice outline".

First clue.

Then she started asking me questions.

Second clue.

The questions made me realize I didn't really know my characters.

Third clue.

I know the Seekers have done great posts on characters already so pulled up

Cheryl's Character Chart Template

and Myra's spreadsheet.

I also reviewed some of the other super articles. You can find them listed to the right of this article under labels-scroll down to the word characters.

Now with all of this motivation to get to know my characters, I remembered my friend Laura Schnebly Campbell has great tips for interviewing your characters.

The logical next step: I began interviewing my characters.

First question. Why doesn't Geri want to leave the ranch? I had an idea, but as my friend pointed out. Not strong enough. So what would make a strong motive?

Next question: Why was the hero (Mark) hiking and in harm's way of a flashflood? Tourists hike in Sedona so that seemed obvious to me, but then again, what goal and motivation would put him there and cause what conflict? The flood was an exciting start and obvious conflict, but after he is out of harm's way, then what?

By the time I filled out Cheryl's list, Myra's spreadsheet and asked the questions Laurie had, I really had a handle on those characters. And the best part was, after getting to know them so well, the writing now flows. Now I can hint at these little facts I know about them so that it ups the goal, motivation, conflict elements in each scene.

Geri has promised her grandmother she will protect the land her ancestors homesteaded years ago. There are Native American ruins on the land and tour guides trespass with tourists looking for the "famed vortex" Geri knows this because she dated a man whose true interest in her was to obtain the land so he could exploit the tourists.

Now let's look at what this information does to my wip.

First version:

“You might as well follow me. That water washed out the road. You’ll be staying awhile.”

He paused. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Wish I was.”

The man grunted.

She studied the frustration in his expression and also noted the L.L. Bean type clothes, the boots that had no wear and tear. “Hope you like rustic.”

“What I’d like is to be home,” he muttered.

“And that is…?”

“The Bay Area.”

She frowned. The bay? What bay?

“You know, San Francisco area.”

“Oh. Sure.” Like how was she supposed to know that? It’s not like she ever traveled anywhere. She’d lived her whole life on her grandmother’s ranch near Sedona. She’d never ventured out of the area. Hadn’t ever wanted to. Hadn’t ever needed to. Until now.

After interviewing Geri I added these parts.

“You might as well follow me. That water washed out the road. You’ll be staying awhile.”

He paused. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Wish I was.” Like she needed another expense. She barely had enough to pay the taxes coming up. Looked like she was going to have to trek into town and look for a job.

The man grunted.

She studied the frustration in his expression and also noted the L.L. Bean type clothes, the boots that had no wear and tear. “Hope you like rustic.”

“What I’d like is to be home,” he muttered.

“And that is…?”

“The Bay Area.”

She frowned. The bay? What bay?

“You know, San Francisco area.”

“Oh. Sure.” Like how was she supposed to know that? It’s not like she ever traveled anywhere. She’d lived her whole life in Northern Arizona. With the exception of the four years at Northern Arizona University, she'd spent most of it on her grandmother’s ranch near Sedona.

Do you see how those two snippets of information deepens Geri's character? Now we know some of her background and we know she needs money for taxes and it was wiped out in the flood. After interviewing Geri, I discovered she is educated even though she lives in primitive conditions. So that makes me want to know why she lives there. And how do you find primitive conditons near Sedona, a big tourist area?

.

I'm still interviewing Mark. He works for a disaster relief program similar to Samaritan'sPurse and brought his nephew on a much needed vacation. His recently widowed sister is having financial difficulties and lives in an undesirable part of San Francisco. Overprotective Mark is looking for a place he can buy for his sister to raise her son.

So if you have any ideas to play around with let me know.

Also, share with us ways you discover your characters. Do you have a form with their long range goal, short range goal, character flaw, relationship barrier?

My goal is to finish this and enter it into the Genesis contest. The deadline is March 31st. If you're an ACFW member, I'm offering the contest entry fee for a prize. So let me know in your comment that you'd like to be entered. Be sure and add your email address. Winner will be notified and announced on weekend edition.

That brings me back to my hut on Unpubbed Island.

Good thing I love it since I've been here awhile.

The food is great and walks on the beach are very inspiring.

Let's see. We always start with coffee. Tina got us into that habit. smile Of course, my fav--Chocolate Velvet. There's hot chocolate and tea. And coconut milk for something different.

For breakfast I talked Captain Jack out of his recipe for omelets so help yourself. There's platters of chopped onions, peppers, mushrooms, spinach, artichokes, sausage, ham, bacon bits, cheese etc. so make your own.

There are bowls of fresh homemade salsa too. And if you're getting here later in the day, we'll add guacamole and chips for an afternoon snack.

Thanks for joining us today.