November 28, 2006
Creating Memorable Characters
Written by Margo Maguire in Writers and WritingI’m working on a proposal for the second book of my Sorcerer series and thinking about characters. There have been lots of workshops on developing characters, and books written about GMC (goal-motivation-conflict). All these things help, but when it comes down to it, I have to come up with characters who are compelling, and who have internal and external issues that my readers will care about. Issues that I care about and can relate to as I write.
The thing I think about first are character flaws. I want my people to be imperfect. I want them to have to struggle against their own shortcomings, foibles and prejudices. My hero and heroine should knock their heads together during the early days of their attraction, then need to overcome all the obstacles (both internal and external) before realizing they can’t live without each other.
I find it difficult to create heroines especially. I like my female lead to be strong and confident, yet give her flaws, too. It’s a challenge, but not a bad one. 
So tell me what weaknesses you like to see in heroes and heroines. And what kind of ‘hero vs heroine’ conflicts you enjoy the most.
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Shana Says:
I like heroines who are impulsive and who don’t trust the hero, which can cause them problems. That’s fun for me to read and to create. Lucia from WHEN DASHING MET DANGER really exemplified this.
I like heroes who forget that love is just as important as work or whatever it is that’s consuming them. Quint from NO MAN’S BRIDE typifies this.
In GOOD GROOM HUNTING, which comes out in February, Josie is impulsive and unwilling to trust Stephen. Stephen feels like a failure and is always trying to prove himself.
Billie Jo Says:
Margo,
I think any flaw you put in your characters that are realistic and that most of us can relate to makes them a great character.
I like my heroines strong, sassy and too many flaws to count, like me, lol. I can not read a heroine/hero who is a weenie and whiny. All of us have strong convictions in certain things and a weakness to certain things.
Easy for me to say balance it out since I am not an author…LOL. But I am sure your characters will be wonderful.
Happy Writing,
Billie Jo
Robyn DeHart Says:
I play a lot with the myth of sleeping beauty. Not so much in the fairy tale kind of way, but as a metaphor for my heroines. Women who are quirky and intelligent and strong in their own ways, but who can’t see their own beauty or worth. My heroes tend to be a bit different than the popular alpha males, they’re often tough when they have to be, but for the most part are captured by the heroines from their first meeting. Hmm….not sure all that made sense, this headache is making me muddled.
Clarisse Says:
I like a hero who is confident in his place in his world, sure that he has all the answers and that he doesn’t need anything to make his life better. Of course, once he meets the heroine, he realizes that’s a total crock and gets his feet kicked out from under him. I like a heroine who is intelligent and who has enough of a sense of humor to weather the storm until the hero realizes he can’t live without her. I like a steady heroine more than a “spunky” one (but a GOOD spunky one can always override that prejudice).
Lois Says:
I agree with what others have said. . . but I don’t remember hitting any book with a hero or heroine that I truly hated, so I guess I’m an equal opportunity personality liker. LOL I like humor, I like confidence, I like intelligence, I like strong and sure. . . and we all have flaws and I like flaws in them. I’m not really picky. . . just not whiny, whimpy or such people please!
Lois
Margo Maguire Says:
Thanks for all your comments - I love seeing what people enjoy reading.