Breathing Life into Characters

In my first crack into fiction, I have much to learn. However, I’ve never been a student of immersion. I tend to grab what I need “in the moment.”

I’ve learned the importance of developing solid characters. It’s at the heart of compelling storytelling.

In my journey as an author, my characters emerge from a blend of real-life experiences and the unique individuals I’ve encountered. Each person we meet has a story, a depth that, when woven into fiction, brings characters to life in a way that hopefully will resonate with you.

Drawing from life experiences allows me to make my characters come to life. For instance, Riley from Riley’s Garden Oasis is inspired by a collection of gardeners and my own growth as a desert gardener, finding beauty and joy in gardening at some point in life.  Her struggles, triumphs, and growth mirror those of my friends and myself, making Riley’s journey feel genuine and relatable.

Similarly, in my upcoming series, characters like Quinn and Val are composites of women I’ve known, each bringing their own strengths, vulnerabilities, and stories to the narrative.

Building character arcs is a delicate and rewarding process. If you don’t know the terminology, character arcs show the change the character goes through or changes that occur in the world around them.

It’s about understanding where a character starts, the challenges they face, and how they evolve over time.

In Riley’s Garden Oasis, Riley starts as someone unsure of her place in a new community, but as she cultivates her garden, she also cultivates confidence and connections with those around her. This growth is a cornerstone of her character arc, making her journey not just about gardening, but about personal transformation.

Authentic dialogue is crucial in making characters believable. I’ve found that listening to real conversations and paying attention to how people speak helps me create dialogue that feels natural. In my books, I aim for dialogue that reflects the character’s personality and circumstances.

For instance, Raven, a character (spoiler alert) will become the first book in the series, speaks with a blend of the wisdom of her Native American ancestry  and warmth, reflecting her deep connection to the land and community of Echo Canyon.

To make characters resonate with us all, I try to infuse them with relatable emotions and experiences. Whether it’s the fear of starting over, the joy of discovering a new passion, or the comfort of friendships old and new, these themes make characters feel like someone you know or could know. In my upcoming series, you’ll see characters navigating life’s twists and turns, much like we all do, which I believe will create a strong connection with readers.

Creating these characters is a labor of love, and seeing them come to life on the page is immensely rewarding. I hope that as you read about Riley, Quinn, Val, and others, you’ll see parts of your own journey reflected in theirs, making their stories not just engaging, but deeply personal.

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