"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2



Monday, October 15, 2012

Characters we know and love...



As I near the end to completing the writing of another novel, I find sadness creeping in—the people (oh, I mean the characters) that I have come to know and love will soon be replaced by a whole new spread sheet of characters.

The same feeling happens when I fall in love with a novel that I’m reading—you know the kind, where the characters stay with you for a while.

Writing or reading, we invest our time and emotion into the characters. We fall for them, and we feel for them. We find ourselves yelling out when danger is coming their way, or screaming with joy at a surprise reunion.

If you’re a writer, some days you spend more time with these characters than you do with your own family. I find it a bit sad when the time comes to part with them. Do you?  

Writers: Do you have memorable characters that stick with you like an old friend?

Readers: If there are characters you love, do you wish you could know more about them? Continue on where you left them?

Writers and Readers: Ever find yourself cheering, yelling, weeping, or fearing for the characters that you are writing or reading?  

I would love to hear what you have to say.

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree 

21 comments:

Victoria Lindstrom said...

I totally agree, Loree. My characters are a bit like the imaginary friends I had as a child - only more real!

Lindsay Harrel said...

I know exactly how you feel, Loree! It's so hard to say goodbye. That's why I love sequels, if they're well done, or series where you get a little glimpse back into a character's life.

Unknown said...

Oh yes, I fall in love with my characters and hate to say goodbye. Waaah! But it's almost okay on the author side of things because they're "my" characters...so I can imagine their future...even dictate it if I want...so they stay alive in my head. :)

Sandra Orchard said...

I love writing connected stories so I can bring back my characters and see glimpses of where they are now. :)

Julie Jarnagin said...

I'm kind of at that point where I'm sick of my characters. :) I'm sure I'll miss them eventually, but right now I'm ready to replace them with someone new.

Keli Gwyn said...

I love my characters dearly--except when I'm exhausted and they insist on talking to me well into the night. =)

Sarah Forgrave said...

How exciting to near the end of another novel, Loree. Congrats!

I know what you mean, though. Sometimes I reopen previous manuscripts just so I can visit my old friends again. :)

Karen Lange said...

I have had a few characters stick with me. Have had a few that seemed to talk back to me too. :) And yes, I have read books that made me cry over the characters, and grumble a little too.

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Yes!! I have one particular character I adore and I hope to write more about him because he's a joy to spend time with.

Loree Huebner said...

Victoria: Yes! They are like imaginary friends...haha. We bring them to life!

Lindsay: I agree, I like a sequel if it is well done.

Melissa: You are absolutely right, as the author,we can imagine their future and can even dictate their lives. It's up to us.

Sandra: You have such a great idea with the connected series. You can bring them back - updated.

Julie: LOL! You made me laugh. I do remember a time with a different book where I was getting sick of my characters...then I had to revise! AHHH, I thought I was going to go mad!!!

Keli: Yours keep talking too? LOL!

Sarah: Yes! It is fun to open old manuscripts...they can be like trips down memory lane.

Karen: The characters that stick, really impact us in many ways. If we've written them, there are bits and pieces of us in them. I wonder if that has anything to do with it?

Lynda: I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. Having those characters that are a joy to be around, makes it all worth it.

Thanks for stopping in everyone! I love you comments!

Unknown said...

Definately! All of the above. Sometimes I'm sure that if anyone knew how involved I get with imaginary people, they'd send me to the funny farm. Love your thoughts on beloved characters.

troutbirder said...

I particularly love historical fiction and well drawn and research characters always draw me back to learn more about .... For example I can never learn enough about Abraham Lincoln.... or Julius Ceasar.

Jessica Nelson said...

I know a lot of writers feel this way, but I tend to not miss my characters. Once I finish the story I'm happy and I feel like I've left them in a wonderful place. It's easy for me to move on to meet new characters who need their own HEA.
So I guess I don't fit in, LOL, but I don't miss them. Maybe I don't feel like they're ever gone either though?? Not sure. Congrats on finishing up your story!!

Stacy Henrie said...

I feel the same! :) You come to really "know" these people and I think all the characters we create stick with us for one reason or another.

Loree Huebner said...

Gwen: I totally agree about the funny farm statement. LOL!

trout: I'm a Lincoln fan too. Such a fascinating man. Every time I read up on him, I learn something new. I'm looking forward to the new Lincoln movie.

Jessica: I find it comforting that you know you left them in a wonderful place. Maybe some haunt me because I didn't leave them with total closure. Something to think about.

Stacy: I know! We really do know our characters inside and out! I agree that's why they stick with us.

Great thoughts everyone! Thanks for dropping in!

Theresa Milstein said...

Yes, characters stick with me. That's why I'm sad when I can't find an agent for a book because these people and that world doesn't get an audience.

Loree Huebner said...

Theresa: I understand where you are coming from. It took me nearly 10 years after I started writing to get an agent. She understands the heart of my novel and loved my characters too. Don't give up, and don't let the sadness consume you. You want the right fit. Keep learning the craft, get in a critique group, revise if necessary, or start a new novel. Keep believing that your characters, AND mine, WILL get an audience.

Thanks for stopping by, Theresa.

Jeanette Levellie said...

I write nf, but as a reader, if I find myself praying for a character, I know it's a great book.

Thanks for asking!

Loree Huebner said...

Jeanette: What a beautiful thought!

Thanks for sharing that.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

It's so funny. I just wrote a book recommendation and talked about how I wanted to see the ending but didn't want the book to end.

There are stand alone books where I wished the author would continue the story.

Loree Huebner said...

Susan: There are those stand alone books that we all wish we could continue with the characters we know and love.

Thanks for coming by tonight, Susan!