The MC’s Inner Self

If McMurphy or the Big Nurse in ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ had been a different character, some of the events in the story would not have happened.

My previous novel drafts have run out of steam somewhere around 30k. Others are still only outlines. This is because I don’t know how my MCs will behave, and more importantly why. It’s taken me a couple of years to realise that plot ideas and events don’t supply the momentum that makes the story write-able, the Main Character does.

So this month I’m re-learning characterisation.

I’ve had Holly Lisle’s ‘Create a Character Clinic’ workbook sitting on my shelf but have never worked through it. I also have Robert Ray’s ‘The Weekend Novelist’ which I have never got to reading until now. It offers solid help with character creation and if it’s as good as his ‘How to Write a Mystery’ book, it will be well worth studying.

I’ve also ordered:
Linda Seger’s ‘Creating Unforgettable Characters’ It had mixed reviews but looks like it will help with some of the areas I need to better understand.

If any one of those turns out to be particularly helpful, I’ll add a review.