Character building...Inside out or Outside in?

Who are the characters we read about? They are fictional, but who are they, really?

I've been asked this question many times. It's a natural question to want to ask a writer. I've often wondered about the characters in the novels I've read. How did the author create them? Are they based on anyone in particular? Who? Enquiring minds want to know. :)

One of my favorite authors, Linda Howard, manages to create strong, intelligent characters time and time again. If you can find the time to squeeze in Killing Time, it won't let you down. It was a fast and powerful read the entire way through the book, and the ending is fantastic! No spoilers here. Roxanne St. Claire, another favorite, and personal mentor (Go Rocki!), does a fantastic job too. Her characters are vivid, smart, and sexy. Rocki has won numerous awards for her talent, and I can honestly say she's truly a nice person who has a huge heart. Btw, Rocki also has a new Desire book out this month. Stop by her website and read chapter one. Or pick up Thrill Me To Death for another great read. I loved it! And how about Beverly Barton? How does she come up with those chilling killers? Have you ever seen Beverly's sweet smile, lol. And she really is as sweet as pie in real life too. You'd never, ever guess she could create these characters, but somehow she does, and consistently. Btw, Beverly won the 2006 RWA Award in the best-selling romantic suspense category for Close Enough To Kill, another one of my favorites.

Where do writers find the inspiration to create such vivid characters novel after novel? (Can you tell I like romantic suspense?)

I've talked to a lot of writers over the last few years, and I've heard a variety of different ways that characters are born. Many pick a handsome celebrity and start dreaming. In fact that seems to be one of the most common ways to create a character. Tools, like collages and poster/story boards lend to the creative process. Though I can agree that there are lots of dashing celebrities to choose from, I personally don't use that method simply because it just doesn't work for me.

Although, on a recent visit over to my friends at the Pink Heart Society a couple of weeks ago, I spotted Pierce Brosnan in a post and found it quite ironic that he was one of the men chosen to grace the page in the Weekend Winddown post, Who Can Resist An Irish Boy.

The reason I found it ironic is because just a couple of weeks prior to spotting PB at the Pink Heart blog, I'd realized that someone I'd seen when I was out and about looks a bit like him, only more handsome...(Sorry, Pierce.) It's in the twinkle in the eyes, but the overall look and aura was even more powerful. Yes, really.

So, what is it that makes a man sexy? The classic handsome? The rough boy handsome? Incidentally, the Weekend Winddown post for today over at the Pink Heart Society is Tall, Dark, and Just A Little Dangerous. for anyone who likes that particular look. It's all in good fun.

What inspires you as a writer? Everyone is different. I'm referring to the process of getting started with your character, of course. We all realize that eventually, superficial qualities just don't cut it alone, but when you begin to build a character, where do you start? Does physical beauty trigger your imagination first? Or do you need to start with the inner beauty?

My brain travels on a slightly different road from the photos and celebs, but what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. I can recognize that there are some definite beautiful people out there, both men and women, but I have a hard time starting from there.

For me, the elements that make a man extremely sexy start with that sparkle of intelligence and wit in the eyes of a handsome man that lights him from within. That grabs me first, and then it's a myriad of traits that get my attention after that--and keep it.

There's also that rare chemistry with someone that lets you know deep in your soul that things could be...sensational. (You haven't felt the full power of chemistry until you've felt the PURE ZAP brand, lol. Whew!) That's a great start too, but, even then, there's so much more that plays into the big picture. Like integrity, trust, respect, and then there's the ability to become friends as well as lovers--all the things that make a relationship truly worth having and holding onto over time.

What inspires me to create my characters? Well, it's all the things that I've just mentioned. The very things I would want in a relationship. Because I build from the inside out, I don't think I've ever used a photo of anyone, celebrity or otherwise, but I can certainly see the aesthetic beauty in some of those photos. Also, so far, I've never used any one person in particular for inspiration in a character I create (Though I reserve the right to change my technique in the future...), but rather, I've compiled traits from a pool of qualities.

I add all the personality traits for the foundation of who the person is, and then move along as he/she grows. Regarding the H, I get a good sense of who he is going to be in my story this way. I do this with the heroine too, but the h is often a bit easier for me to define. I think it's probably normal to feel more comfortable creating the same fictional gender.

So, I usually have a pretty good idea of who I want the H to be as a whole person, and I can make a fairly decent sketch of who he is by entrusting him with various qualities I believe an honorable H should have, but sometimes, as writers know, the characters talk to us, making strong statements about who they are from the very beginning, and if that happens, I listen carefully. In fact, I love it when that happens because the H comes out much stronger and well defined at the end of the process.

Once I have a good feel for who the H is as a person, I begin to give him physical characteristics. This is harder for me than creating the inside for some reason. I can never decide what he should look like. For me, whether the H has flowing black tresses, brown wavy curls, red locks, a blond mop , or a beautiful head of white hair, doesn't really matter as much as who he shines through as being from the inside out; however, I do try my best to give him qualities a girl can appreciate *wink*.

But, for both the H/h, I think it's more about how they perceive each other that makes them (and their relationship) come alive for the reader. If the chemistry is there between them, it should all be good to go, and I guess for me, though there is definitely a superficial physical element that plays a role, for the most part, that chemistry comes from within when they make a connection on a deeper level--even if it's in just a glance--by recognizing some deeper element within each other. Almost like one soul speaking to another. It's a beautiful thing that just happens naturally. Whether it's that one of them, or both of them are able to see some quality deeper within the other from the start, or whether it's after they get to know each other, it's still some deeper pull, at least for me. For others, I realize it's different. That's why I'm curious about this.

Also, as I've heard so many female readers say, they like to identify with the h by not having her too perfect. Likewise, I usually feel comfortable with not having all of my H's be muscle bound hunks with perfect teeth, but let's face it, if the h and H are truly falling in love, aren't they going to perceive each other as desirable? That's what's really important. That the reader feels the chemistry between them, and knows that, in the eyes of the H and h, there is no other person who attracts them as much as their partner. I believe that's also what allows the reader to invest his/her heart in the story.

I build characters from the inside out.

My question is: How do you build characters? From the outside in, or the inside out? Where do you begin?

There's no right or wrong way to build, just different strokes for different folks, and I'm curious, so come on...don't be shy. Let me know what works for you.

Btw, I dropped my very last assignment in my professor's mail box yesterday afternoon. I'm officially on winter break, yay!

Also, remember the road trip I mentioned regarding my daughter's cats? Turns out the person in the Navy who was to notify the Japanese government that they would be arriving...never did.

That means I have to wait forty days, then go through the veterinary health certifications, reservations, and travel plans all over again, and hope that the temperature isn't too cold to fly them at the end of January or the beginning of February. Grrrr.

On the up side, the cats (Belle and Andi) are extremely sweet and no trouble at all to have here.

Have a wonderful day, and don't forget to share your answers on character building.

Lee
:)

PS
I finally found the other Christmas song I love by Vince Vance and the Valiants: Christmas Just Ain't Christmas Without You. I included it over on MySpace music bar. Feel free to stop by and enjoy the new tune.

And, of course, something just for fun... I got elfed with my children! This is me with Jesse, Allen, and Rachel doing a little Christmas jig. Come on and dance with us, lol!
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1439093731