One thing I learned at my recent MFA residency is that I'm not mean enough to my characters. I put them in these incredible situations that they're totally ill-prepared for and have them come out unscathed.
Well, no more. People are getting hurt in my books.
What about you? Are you too kind to your characters?
12 comments:
I try not to be. I loves me some mayhem.
You're a character in my book. A queen.
probably. but, in my current novel, some serious harm does happen to the frogs. they're sort of a character, right? ;)
I think I err on the opposite side and need to be kinder! :)
RICK: I would've guessed you'd be cool with some mayhem. Might as well live (and die) a little, right?
JONATHON: Woo-hoo, I'm a queen! Can you make me about three inches taller?
TESS: Yes, frogs are characters for sure. I kill off a couple US servicemen in my ms (YIKES!!!), but the reader doesn't know them and the killing occurs off-screen.
SARAH: Ahhh, there is a little wicked touch in your eyes. Yes, I can see it.
Oh, Jon is too sweet!
Actually a lot of bad things happens to my mg mc. Not catastrophic, but totally embarrassing for a preteen.
I'm just about to kill a character and what am I doing? Procrastinating by reading blogs. I'm going to do it, but I don't have to like it!
KELLY: You have to tell us some of the "bad things!"
LISA: Ah! What timing! Be brave.
I've never killed any. I worry that I am too kind.
TINA: Kill someone. Just in a paragraph for "fun." See if you can do it.
I try not to be too mean to my characters. I prefer happy endings.
Judy
JUDY: I don't know. In the piece I read of your albino story, the character went through some serious stuff. I think you can do anything, Judy!
Post a Comment