Character Development
If you like to listen to, or read interviews with authors, it is not uncommon to hear an author discuss how their characters seemed to develop all of their own will.
I have had a similar experience with the character Brewster who was introduced in Chapter Seven. Originally he was intended only to be the conduit to get the sisters to the city via the cell phone he found. But Brewster imposed his character on me and I did not want to leave him behind.
Part of the inspiration for Brewster comes from my experiences in walking about downtown London. There are lots of homeless men, and occasionally women. You get to recognize them, and they recognize you. They are often in the same spot every day, at the same time, just like me on my way into work.
Curiosity makes me wonder what their stories are. Because everyone — everyone, homeless or not, drug addled or not has a story.
And everyone has a character too. We can let our stories define us, but character is the more powerful definition of who we are. And don’t we all need to engage in a little character development ourselves from time to time?
We continue this week with more of Brewster’s character with this week’s episode of Contentment is for Cows. Don’t worry, the sisters and Muttley are in the wings ready to return.
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Enjoy!
I like that you are letting your characters develop without forcing development/character on them, as a reader I can feel them grow and look forward to what will happen with and to them.
Thank you. Speaking of characters, Muttley was never supposed to have such a big role either, but there he is… hogging as many scenes as he can.
One of my Toronto friends kept a few loonies in her pocket and regularly gave to homeless men perched at the parkade she used every day. One night, after work, the men were gathered at her car to tell her that they prevented a break-in. She thanked them and never forgot to give them the loonies in the morning. It was like an extra insurance policy! Her car was always guarded!
Jeanette, that is a great story! I had an aunt who lived in Toronto all her life and knew several homeless men by name. As she walked down the street she always had a word and a change ready. Thanks for telling us.