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Everyone has a favorite character, a hero or heroine who
makes us re-read a book over and over again. Though a well-crafted plot is
essential to a good book, the characters can make or break a novel. As humans,
we are hardwired to seek out connections with other human beings. Books give us
an opportunity to connect using our imaginations.
Who is your favorite character? Do you admire the humble
heroism of Harry Potter? Or, are you drawn to a bold, brash, fearless hero? For
those of us who like to identify with our favorite characters, we might see our
own shyness mirrored in Bella Swan from Twilight. Or, we might admire the
steely independence in the heroine from our favorite romance novel.
But, what if you prefer the antagonist? What if you prefer
Professor Snape to Professor Dumbledore? Does your pulse race when your
favorite villain takes his outrageous behavior to a new level? In some deep,
dark recess of your imagination, do you find yourself rooting for the bad guy
just a little?
A well-written antagonist elicits a strong response from the
reader. One of my favorite series is The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Sauron is
the big bad embodiment of evil. We don’t know anything about him, except for
the fact that he’s the enemy and must be defeated. I know I’m supposed to root
against him, and I do, but I don’t have any strong feelings for him—not really.
But, let me tell you this—when Boromir was swayed by the evil of the ring and
went a little crazy at the end of book one, he became one of my favorite
characters.
Okay, so maybe I’m a little twisted.
My point is this: characters must be multidimensional, even
the bad guys. It was Boromir’s struggle throughout the book that appealed to
me. He wasn’t evil, but he was influenced by it. I understood his dilemma and
it made him more real to me. The antagonist in any novel is more interesting if
there are a few flashes of likability. Is the villain sarcastic and sometimes
funny? Is there something in his past that caused him to become wicked? Do we
feel sorry for him just a little? If the reader has an emotional connection
with the bad-guy, the story is a much better read.
The protagonist must have layers too. The main character,
though admirable and wonderful in almost every way possible, must sometimes
succumb to jealousy, impetuousness, vanity, or rage. Those flaws and failures
make them human. They help us connect with the main character on an emotional
level.
For those readers out there, ask yourself what you look for
in a hero...and a villain. If you find a book with characters who really talk
to you, don’t be afraid to recommend that book to others. Not only can you
connect with the characters in the novel, you can connect with other readers
when you sit down to discuss your favorite characters.
And, for writers, I challenge you to analyze the characters
you’ve created. How well do you know them? Have you created multidimensional
heroes your readers can fall in love with, flaws and all? Or is your heroine
too perfect? Do your villains have elements to their personality that add depth
to the character? As writers, we need to connect with our readers by creating characters
they can connect with.
Happy Reading!
The
Claiming Words by Tricia Drammeh
The
Alexanders have always kept their secrets hidden…
When sixteen-year-old Jace Alexander
moves to the small town of Oaktree, Georgia, he attracts the attention of every
girl in school. Shy, introverted Alisa Cole immediately casts Jace in the
leading role of her latest fantasy, but she assumes he’ll never return her
interest. After she saves Jace from a Hunter, everything changes. Her
accidental discovery of Jace’s secret propels her into a world of magic and
danger. Alisa’s newfound courage is put to the test when Jace introduces her to
his intimidating older brother, Bryce, and she decides she would rather battle
a Hunter than endure another moment under Bryce’s intense scrutiny.
Jace
and Bryce aren’t the only ones with secrets…
Rachel
Stevens is the girl who has it all. She’s beautiful, popular, and in possession
of an ancient power which endangers not only her, but those sent to protect
her. Jace is drawn to Rachel—and he isn’t the only one. The Demon Re’Vel will
do anything to claim her—even if it means waging a war with the entire
Alexander family. As layers of secrets are peeled away, revealing the truth of
her heritage and her family’s betrayal, Rachel struggles to resist an immortal
suitor who stalks her in her dreams. With the Alexanders fighting to protect
her, can Rachel escape the power of the Demon and his Claiming Words?
Author Bio:
Tricia Drammeh is a wife and a mother of four
children. Although she currently lives in Missouri, she has called many places
home, including Georgia, Ohio, and California. She’s worked in retail, customer
service, sales, and accounting, but writing has always been her dream career.
When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, drinking vast amounts of coffee,
and spending time with her family and the multitude of animals who have taken
over her home. Tricia is currently working on her sixth novel.
Website: http://theclaimingwords.com/
Twitter @triciadrammeh
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheClaimingWords
Email: tricia@theclaimingwords.com
3 comments:
A theme of my WIP is that no person is ever truly bad -- I need to make my antagonist less bad now, hehe :)
YOU ARE SO UP MY ALLEY! HARRY POTTER?!?! You mentioned him, and I'm like, "Please, Dumbledore, Dumbledore," and you mentioned him as well!! Dumbledore is my FAVORITE. (Sorry, I'm getting a little excited here.) He is so, so, multi-dimensional, and so tragic. I can't even describe it.... He's amazing. So flawed; so, so flawed. It's so sad.
Hi SC Author! It's great to meet another HP fan.
Thanks, E.B., for having me on your wonderful blog.
Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. no problem no life, no matter did not learn, so enjoy it :)
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