So, What Kind of Protagonists Do I Write?

I told you all I liked imperfect characters (and noted that I'm not alone feeling that way), so it seems reasonable to ask me to put my money where my mouth is and find out what I do when I'm writing my characters.

Ah. Well, when it comes to protagonists (not the bad guys) there are two different types. There are the main characters, and there are often a small group of them. Depending on the scope of the project, some might not be equally prominent or even key players in each book. One thing about all "my" main characters: they begin with me.

Why me? Well, because I'm complex and because I know me like most people don't. None of them are me, though. Usually, I take one or two of my features, put it in someone and add some complementary aspects I don't have. I try to make it something I like about myself coupled with something that's less appealing. Like Layla who is terribly efficient and capable, but is also abrasive and caustic. Or Tander, who has a wonderful sense of humor, but is also a bit cavalier when it comes to responsibility. Then, it's just a matter of putting them in the right environment. Other characters have other traits of mine and other marked differences. It's like being a multiple personality, like playing what if not only as myself but as I might have been if I were, say, athletic or magical or could change shape, or had been spoiled as a child or... The list goes on.

However, there are rules for my "main" characters. First of all, there are no rapists among my protagonists (even the small characters). Never. My characters are always basically honest because it's a character trait I cherish. My characters are rarely popular because I know nothing about that (though they are, at times, respected for their abilities). And smart. It's not in me to make a stupid main character. I mean, I could make one, but I'd keep rolling my eyes.

With side characters, though, I'm often looking for good ensemble characters, people who remind me of people I know. I usually work them for teamwork and humor, but I also have capturing some aspect of someone I really enjoyed. However, unlike my main characters, these characters don't have to honest or smart, they can be popular or ignorant or even teenagery.

Sometimes a side character grows into a main character. Once in a while, my husband inspires a character, sometimes a main character, sometimes a side, and his characters also don't necessarily fit my honest/smart mode.

The big thing, and I try to make this true of all my characters, is to leave them room to grow. A stagnant character, like a perfect one, soon becomes a dead bore - not just for a reader, but for me.

Read more...