Inluvwithwords talks about mothering our characters a little too much.
Writers: Are you the overprotective type or do you make your characters suffer?
Readers: Do you ever think a writer has gone overboard with the number of problems they give their story people? Why?
Have a blessed weekend!
I tend to be the wicked stepmother when it comes to my characters, lol. Of course, I make up for it in the end by giving them a happily-ever-after. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sarah -
ReplyDeleteI get my characters into a heap o' trouble as well. Sometimes even I wonder how I'm going to resolve the situations. :)
Blessings,
Susan
Just stopping by to say hello and hope you have a fantastic weekend. sandie
ReplyDeleteHi Sandie -
ReplyDeleteThanks. Enjoy your weekend!
Blessings,
Susan :)
That's a question I hadn't thought about until I had a writing coach evaluate my first manuscript. She pointed out that my main character was becoming too much of a victim. I like James Scott Bell's suggestion that just when our characters think the worst has happened, hit them with something more. A lot of bad things were happening to my MC, but not all of them really moved the story ahead. And, to answer your question, that's when I think the problems begin to feel contrived. It's not so much the number of problems as the rationale for them. Do they serve a purpose in the story?
ReplyDeleteHi Carol -
ReplyDeleteExcellent points. When a character isn't fighting back, I tend to get impatient with them. It's hard to have sympathy for a doormat mentality.
Blessings,
Susan
Thanks for linking to my post, Susan. I'm constantly aware of my over mothering tendencies lately. But that's a good thing because now I can work on changing that.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth -
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thanks for a good post.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Susan....So glad you stopped by my blog and commented, too. Hope you have a good week ahead! Susan
ReplyDelete