Outtakes 58 Release

You Might Wind Up In My Novel

“Good morning.  I have just written you into my novel. Your character will die a horrible death.  Have a nice day.” My number six sister has a great sense of humor. Every year, she searches a website that carries unusual tee-shirts, looking for the perfect shirts for her sons, her husband, and others on her Christmas list. Sister number three gave me a similar shirt that stated, “Be careful or you might wind up in my novel.” One might ask if my characters are created from people I know. The short answer is “yes”.

As a beginning author, I was concerned that friends and family might assume I based characters on them. I feared they would be hurt if they thought an evil or less than admirable character was written about them. I was in line to have Michael Cunningham, Pulitzer Prize winning author of THE HOURS sign my book. He heard the discussion a couple of us were having regarding this fear. Cunningham told me there would always be people who saw themselves as characters in a novel. The author must let go of the fear and write the story. His advice freed me to develop my characters. I am grateful for his insight and encouragement.

In a recent presentation in Amarillo, Texas, LONGMIRE author Craig Johnson, made reference to the indemnity clause in every book:   “the persons in this book are a work of fiction.  Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.”  “It’s a lie,” he stated. “Some of my characters are based on people I know well.” Yes, I use traits from people I know, from folks I work with, from people I observe to populate my stories. Mr. Throckmorton, the minister in HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW, possesses the love, concern and kindness of preachers I know and admire. I have watched women like Kate Walker go through hell and still retain their dignity and remain good, noble women.

Some traits are derived from people watching. I love the adoring expression on a father’s face when a tiny hand pats his chin. Dad’s eyes light up and he brings those little fingers to his lips for a kiss. How about the child who hears music and without inhibition, dances to the beat? Then there’s the girl who meets up with a boy from her class. She twists a lock of hair around her finger as they talk. Is she shy, or nervous, or frightened?

I have written some of my best scenes in an effort to keep out of HR. Let’s face it some co-workers can be quite annoying. The temptation to mouth off must be stifled as I don’t want to be accused of creating a hostile work environment. In order to remain out of trouble, I pull out my Netbook and write a scene that releases my frustration. The final confrontation between Kate Walker and Mary Cooper was written as I was biting my tongue. Not only do I remain in good standing with my boss, I have a scene to incorporate into a current or future story.

Memorable characters make the story. You can have an intriguing plot, fabulous description, and an unusual setting, but if the characters lack the pizzazz of the author’s people watching skills and wealth of friends, family, co-works, and acquaintances, the story falls flat. No reader likes cardboard characters.

Cait Collins