The last few weeks have been quite an adventure. Instead of pushing ahead with my novel rewrite, slogging away to get it done, I have a taken a step back to work on some much needed character development. My characters have been conversing and confronting each other for quite some time in my head but it has been a while since I have taken that deep dive to really understand them and I can tell you, its been wonderful!
All characters have a mind of their own, living and being just as much as the rest of us and, at times, fighting a direction they’ve been steered in. This is the exact case with my characters which let me know I needed to take this step back and have a talk with them.
What didn’t they relate to with the story I am trying to tell?
What trauma, manerisms, or traits just don’t jive well with what my story asks of them?
Posing these questions and getting answers to them really helped me to identify areas that might need to go in a different direction. How do you overcome a stubborn character in your writing? I’d love to hear your feedback and I hope you have a great remainder to your April!
Chris Kauzlarich 