March 28, 2006
Where do characters come from?
Written by Margo Maguire in Writers and WritingI’m working on an idea (actually, a very big idea) for three books and I started thinking about how I develop characters. I’m not as analytical as Robyn, but that’s ok because each of us has our own process. And my philosophy is Don’t Change What Works.
For anyone who’s read The Bride Hunt, the hero (Anvrai d’Arques) first appears in Saxon Lady, my April ‘06 release from Harlequin Historicals. I wrote and submitted Saxon Lady to my editor back in July 2004 and The Bride Hunt might have been a Harlequin Historical if HH hadn’t changed their distribution policies. I withdrew that book from HH and my agent submitted it to Avon, who published it in January ‘06. Technically, I can’t have a character from a Harlequin appearing in an Avon book, so I changed his name and gave him a different backstory, but in my mind, Anvrai is still the guy from Saxon Lady.
As I wrote Saxon Lady, there were several secondary characters who were compelling, but Anvrai was the one who appealed to me the most because of his disfigurement and his quiet strength. I just knew there was a heroine out there who could appreciate him. Another fun secondary character is the little brother of Lady Aelia (the heroine), and he’s quite a brat. The hero takes him in hand and begins to give him the discipline he needs. So I’m thinking the kid might have a book of his own somewhere down the line - say, twenty years after his sister’s story. That would make him about twenty-nine …
The Bride Hunt had a spin-off built into it. I hadn’t intended to write Isabel’s sister’s story when I started the book, but by the time it was finished, it was clear that Kathryn would have to have her own book. I’d made such a point of Isabel’s worry over what had happened to her sister that I’m sure most readers are wondering, too. (I’ve gotten a lot of email about this :-)). I wanted Kathryn’s story to be quite different from Isabel’s - Isabel and Anvrai had to do a lot of traveling to get to safety, so I wanted Kathryn to stay put. In The Perfect Seduction, Kathryn is rescuedby a Saxon lord - a man who is not too fond of the Norman conquerors. He takes her to his keep and the entire story takes place there.
Now I’m starting from scratch. The Victorian era is calling to me, and I just read a fascinating book on daily life in the later 1800s. The idea for a particular Victorian heroine hit me all at once as I read, and I started writing … but I think maybe her story needs to be the third in the series I have in mind. So now I’ve got to work on the other two stories and the threads that will tie all three together. It’s going to be complicated, but hey - when a story calls, you’ve got to answer!
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Shana Says:
Love reading about this stuff! It’s especially interesting how you’re thinking of changing eras. You’re so established in medieval, but I know how tiresome one time period can get. And you’re right. When the story calls, follow.
Cindy Kirk Says:
From the time I was in my early teens, I’ve loved books with connected characters. It gives you a different persepective on characters you think you already know when you get into another character’s head.
I especially like it if I can find out more about the lives of characters I grew to love in a previous book.
Lessie Says:
Quote:
“The Bride Hunt might have been a Harlequin Historical if HH hadn’t changed their distribution policies. I withdrew that book from HH and my agent submitted it to Avon, who published it in January ‘06.”
I’d love to hear more about this. I can’t imagine Bride Hunt as a HH. It would have been too short, I think. But I love the book, so it scares me to think of it in any other format. Must stay the same, I say!
As for Saxon Lady — that’s a great heads-up. I have it on order. Hope to receive it soon. Will look for my beloved Anvrai.
margo Maguire Says:
When you look for Anvrai - his name isn’t the same, but I’m sure you’ll recognize him!