Met Any Interesting Characters?

          I’m so glad to be back! I had yet another international move. This one was more involved and more emotional than many of my past moves, but it certainly is good to be back.

          This month we are talking about creating characters. I love creating new characters. I’m not sure I do it well and I’m not sure I can tell you how I do it, but I love the process. From journaling to writing scenes to creating backstory, getting to know my characters is as fun as any social event I’ve ever attended. And as harrowing.

          Done well, a character reflects a real-life person with all the layers and contradictions and emotional upheaval. Done well, a character gives the reader a window into the reason and meaning behind those layers and emotions. And done well, a character breathes life and purpose into a story, creating a small snapshot of fictional reality.

          I recently I met Paul in the short story, “A Face in the Clouds.” (I posted a review of the story on my personal blog.) Paul’s story is a glimpse into the moment, the event that led to his realizing the importance and place of faith. The conversations alluded to his resistance and unbelief. We experienced some of his antagonism in his thoughts and interaction with the other characters. But, essentially, what we saw in this story was that moment when he realized faith was not a rejection of his rational mind, when he realized he could believe in God and continue his quest for truth.

          I found myself wanting to know more of his backstory. I wanted to see some scenes where he rejected the notion of a personal God. I wanted to see some initial reactions to the faith of another. I especially wanted to see his progression from total rejection to acceptance. But this was a short story. Short stories are by nature snapshots of an instant in time. This one was of a moment of decision. And it was good. My desire to know more is testament to the fact the author did a good job of crafting an interesting character.

          How do you create characters? What are some of the characters you’ve encountered recently?