One of my wonderful critique partners pointed out the other day, in a very nice way, that my MC’s mother is NOT very clearly drawn. Yes, I’m still writing that rough first draft, so this is to be expected. BUT…the mother is also the main antagonist. So, really, it would help if I understood her a little better than I do, to keep moving forward with all the scenes she’s in.
Today, the five questions I’m going to ask my MC’s mother.
1. What is your goal for each of your three children?
2. What is your definition of safety?
3. Why did you marry your husband?
4. What do you do, after your son’s accident, to make sure the rest of your family stays safe?
5. Are you glad, now, that you left Russia to come to Chicago? Why?
She’s been awfully quiet up until now. Let’s hope she’ll speak up and give me some answers.
Which character have you been letting hide away in the background? What do you need to find out about them before your story can be told?
October 9, 2009 at 6:04 pm
If she’s been quiet and unobtrusive, I’d love to know what makes her angry.
October 9, 2009 at 7:48 pm
She hasn’t exactly been quiet, Jenn, but I do think I got closer to her anger today. Which is good.
October 9, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Love it! The interview of a character. I so need to do this, but I think not yet. I need to get through one revision first to get my WIP comprehendable,
October 10, 2009 at 7:49 am
It’s really helping me move forward on this first draft, with characters I have so little clue about at this point. But I bet it’ll work well after a revision, too! Happy writing.
October 9, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I love digging into the background of my characters and figuring out what makes them tick
October 10, 2009 at 7:49 am
I think I figured out what REALLY ticks this character off. And how she reacts. Oh, the sarcasm!