With us today is our writer pal Chrys Fey to talk about her latest release. Welcome, Chrys. I asked our friend to tell us how she develops her characters and this was her response:
I typically do three things. The first is finding someone I can model my characters after, which tends to be actors/actresses. This doesn’t mean my characters are these people, but rather that I use their images when I first create my characters. This gives me a solid foundation to build upon. With actors in mind, it’s easy to visualize my characters doing and saying things. They seem alive, and from that point on I can mold my characters into who they truly are.
To do that, I give them parts of myself. I pretend my characters, with the faces of actors, are me. This helps me to give them emotions and depth. What would I do? How would I feel? Everything they do, I put myself in their shoes. I am looking out at the world through their eyes. Sometimes, my characters come from my dreams, which makes it that much easier for me to believe we are linked.
Finally, I treat them as if they are real people. I do everything I can to make them three-dimensional. I don’t create a spreadsheet of facts for them, although that is a great idea. Instead, I just peel back their layers in my mind and uncover who they are. What makes them unique? How can I make readers identify with them? With these answers, I can develop well-rounded characters.
BLURB:
Beth and Donovan have come a long way from Hurricane Sabrina and the San Francisco earthquake. Now they are approaching their wedding day and anxiously waiting to promise each other a lifetime of love. The journey down the aisle isn’t smooth, though, as they receive threats from the followers of the notorious criminal, Jackson Storm. They think they’ll be safe in Hawaii, but distance can’t stop these killers. Not even a tsunami can.
This monstrous wave is the most devastating disaster Beth has ever faced. It leaves her beaten, frightened. Is she a widow on her honeymoon? As she struggles to hold herself together and find Donovan, she’s kidnapped by Jackson's men.
Fearing her dead, Donovan searches the rubble and shelters with no luck. The thought of her being swept out to sea is almost too much for him to bear, but the reality is much worse. She’s being used as bait to get him to fall into a deadly trap.
If they live through this disaster, they may never be the same again.
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BIO:
Chrys Fey is the author of the Disaster Crimes Series. She is a blogger, reader, auntie, vegetarian, and cat Lover. Get Lightning Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2.5) for FREE!
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37 comments:
Huge congratulations to Chrys. I have been seeing her latest across the blogosphere. It sounds unsettling - and good.
Sounds like a good book, her other ones were really good. Hugs, Valerie
Congrats to Chrys, wonderful post Sandra.
Yvonne.
That's one thing I've never been able to do - find actors that fit my characters.
Well rounded characters are sure a win. I never have looked much to actors for characters at my sea.
This sounds like a great book. I never considered envisioning actors as a character in my writings. I guess that helps her get the emotional feeling she is trying to convey. I think that might help sell the book and the characters.
Some people seem to think I'm crazy when I talk about it, but really, it works to treat characters like real people.
All the best with your book, Chrys!
I tend to often picture my characters as someone and often have heard a voice
Thank you! I am making the rounds with this one. It's the best one in the series...so far. :)
Thank you so much, Valerie!
Thanks, Yvonne!
I can't help but do it. lol
I guess it's because I like to visualize my characters, and picturing actors at first helps with that.
Hi! Envisioning actors as my characters helps me to clearly see them, imagine them as real. After a while though, my characters change and become real without imagining the actors. :)
Not crazy at all.
Thank you, Misha!
That's great!
Sandra, thank you so much for having me on your blog! I'm happy to be here. :)
Congrats, sounds good.
I like to find an actor or actress, too. Most of my main characters in my series also have little elements of me. It's hard not to give them some traits.
Congrats again to Chrys! It's fascinating to read about how other people come up with their characters. Actors and actresses can definitely inspire us with certain personality traits and features.
My pleasure, Chrys.
Congrats on being saluted here and on other blogs. I think that is cool that you think of actors and actresses that seem to fit the role but then you think about how you would react. Congrats on your book!
That's often in the back of my mind when I read a book, wondering how much of the author has crept in.
Interesting how she starts first with a real person on which to base her characters. It's fascinating learning about the writing process of others.
Thanks, Jamie!
It's impossible not to give them traits.
I wonder the same thing, Sandra. :)
Thanks, Stephanie! A lot of my characters appear in dreams...as actors. lol
Thank you so much, Birgit!
I love to learn how other writers create their characters and write, too. :)
Wonderful to learn more about Chrys here today. Wishing her the best of luck! How interesting that she models her characters after people like actors and then the change into who they are.
~Jess
It's a great strategy. Congrats on the new book, Chrys.
Hi Sandra.
Thanks for stopping by and supporting, Chrys, Jess.
Where do get your ideas for your characters? I imagine its a bit different when writing about children.
Hi Blue!
Thanks, Blue!
Thanks for visiting, Jess! I'm also curious how you get ideas for your characters. :)
Wow, this is really action packed! Congrats Chrys!!!
Thank you so much! :)
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