Comments on: Characters As Mirrors

By: Writing Links 2/12/18 – Where Genres Collide

Writing Links 2/12/18 – Where Genres Collide — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 12:06:26 +0000

[…] https://writershelpingwriters.net/2018/02/characters-as-mirrors/ “I’ve been thinking lately about something that Angela and I touch on in all of our books: The Mirror of Real Life. It’s this idea that something in our stories is like a mirror for readers that reflects back to them something of themselves. When we portray the character as this mirror, it draws readers in and encourages empathy because they recognize a commonality with the character.” This is how it’s supposed to be: a character reflecting who they are through their journey and possibly teaching us something about ourselves or others. […]

By: Cheryl Sterling

Cheryl Sterling — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 18:58:37 +0000

Nail on head. Especially the next to last paragraph where you combine all your points into a character arc. Well done. It’s important to remember to give your character an inner struggle as well as an external conflict. There’s no better way to keep your readers engaged.

By: BECCA PUGLISI

BECCA PUGLISI — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 15:43:09 +0000

In reply to Joy Lennick. Exactly! With so many possible combinations of personality traits, wounding events, goals, etc., there's really no excuse for cardboard or stereotypical characters :).

By: Joy Lennick

Joy Lennick — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 12:41:59 +0000

Thanks for the above. The workings of the human mind are fascinating/confusing/admirable and sometimes intolerable. I love delving into studying various traits people have. We don’t need cupboard cut-outs as characters in our books, that’s for sure. Thanks again.

By: Traci Kenworth

Traci Kenworth — Fri, 09 Feb 2018 02:22:43 +0000

This really hits the right note! We do need characters who reflect our journey or who can teach us something about whatever they’ve been through. This is what it’s all about!

By: BECCA PUGLISI

BECCA PUGLISI — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:28:08 +0000

In reply to Darlene Foster. Thanks for stopping by, Darlene!

By: BECCA PUGLISI

BECCA PUGLISI — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 23:27:57 +0000

In reply to Karen Sargent. I'm so glad it's timely! Also, glad to hear that you're creating characters that are well-rounded and have reasons for what they do. :)

By: Karen Sargent

Karen Sargent — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 17:32:17 +0000

I need this today, Becca. I’m struggling with a character who is so unlike me that I have to keep going back to her need and reminding myself what her goal is, what’s keeping her from it, why she needs it, etc., and then I have to weigh her words and actions against those things. This character has been such a challenge for me. My Emotional Wound Thesaurus is getting a workout. 🙂 I’ve discovered it’s definitely a lot easier to create characters I relate to. You’ve given me some reminders and some new things to think about as well.

By: Darlene Foster

Darlene Foster — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 16:59:36 +0000

Very useful information. Thanks!!