About ten years ago, I heard a pastor say character was “how you act when no one is looking.” But we Christians know God sees our every thought, knows our every move. Our motivations are very clear to Him, even if we may not know them at the time.
The character of a writer is based on each individual’s core–identity, values, belief system, greatest fear, greatest dream, the lie we believe about ourselves, our purpose in life, what we’re good at, our safety net, where do we fit.
So when it comes to creating our characters, we need to craft them from the inside out–get to know who they are and where they’re from. How do they identify themselves to others? What do they value, believe in? What do they fear? What do they dream of achieving? What lie separates them from embracing God’s grace and unconditional love? What would they die for? What are they good at? Where do they go when the going gets tough? Where do they fit in?
When writers take the time to create the core of their characters, they are building a solid foundation for the characters’ goals and motivations throughout the story. Even plot driven novelists need to know a little about their characters in order to move them through their stories.
Creating characters from the inside out begins by asking why. Digging deeper allows you to get beneath the facade of the character to reach the core. And the core is where the truth lies.
This issue is about character and the speculative fiction genre. The range of articles offer insight into crafting characters and hopefully helping you to understand more about spec fiction.
As always, this e-zine is not a solo effort, but the work of an amazing team and guest writers. So allow me to close by thanking those involved in putting this e-zine together:
- Book Therapists, Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck.
- Voices Staff:
- Roxanne Gray, assistant copy editor.
- Edie Melson, assistant copy editor, Social Marketing columnist.
- Vicki McCollumn, assistant copy editor.
- Amy Lindberg, assistant copy editor, Flash Fiction coordinator.
- Reba J. Hoffman, A Word of Encouragement columnist.
- Beth K. Vogt, Mentor’s Moment columnist.
- Jennie Atkins, The Write Technology columnist.
- Carrie Fancett Pagels, Making Your Characters Behave columnist.
- Patricia Woodside, Diversity in Writing columnist.
- Melissa Tagg, Finding the Funny columnist.
- Matthew Sheehy, The Manly Mindset columnist.
- Connie Almony, What’s Your Story? columnist.
- Amanda G. Stevens, Consulting With the Specialists coordinator
- Teri Dawn Smith, Consulting With the Specialists coordinator.
- Michelle Lim, Genre Java coordinator.
- Alena Taurianen, Writing & Wellness columnist.
- Preslaysa Williams, Featured Fiction coordinator.
Additional Articles:
- Delaina Netherland, “Shameless Stalking…for Characters”
- Pat Trainum, “A Farmer’s Field”
- Melissa Isaksen, “Hooked on Deep Thinkers-a Newbie’s Review“
Whether you’re a new writer learning the basics or an established, published author, get involved and meet others who are finding their way in the writing world too. At MBT, you are not alone in your journey. Be part of the writing community where Every Voice Counts!
Your Voices Editor-in-Chief,
