This is another one of my post-critique befuddlements … you’re all used to that by now, right? In the novel I’m working on now, I have three main characters. My critique group members understood the first two characters fairly well, but so far only two “get” the third character, Renee. Most don’t find her a sympathetic character, which is the opposite of what I intended.
Renee is a tragic character. I want the reader to root for her, but I can’t reveal her sad backstory upfront
… well, I could, I just think it’s better storywise to reveal it later. It occurs to me this is sort of like a strip tease. I have to reveal enough to pique the reader’s interest, but keep enough covered to tease them into staying around for more. I want it to be obvious that her reactions are not those of an emotionally healthy character, but I don’t want the reader to dislike her because of that.
The group did some brainstorming on this last night. I have suggestions for changes. Now, I have to decide if these suggestions will work for me … for my story.
So, I’m off to revise Renee’s … er … act. Wish me well.
I can state -- almost unequivocally -- that the title of this blog does not refer to my mental state. It refers to my writing, which does, of course, flow out of my mind. Sometimes the process of writing is messy, sometimes weird, sometimes beautiful -- and always harder than I wish, but I love it. As I wander back into the real world from time to time, I hope to entertain you with my musings.
I have just finished writing a novel titled The Brevity of Roses.
15 Comments
2 July, 2009 at 8:47 am
hahaha…I think we are writing about the same person. Let me know how yours comes out!
2 July, 2009 at 9:19 am
Yes, we did write similar posts today. Good luck on sorting out your character.
2 July, 2009 at 9:11 am
I think you have a lot of leeway in when you reveal anything about Renee, as it a third of the way through the book. It can be tough to start off a novel with an unsympathetic character, but you are not doing that. In this point of the book, readers will be sympathetic with Jalal, and see Renee as a complication for him — they won’t need to sympathize with her as they would if you were starting the book with her. And if we come to sympathize with the complication, then that’s a bonus, not something you to front-load.
2 July, 2009 at 9:28 am
See, this is why I need to record the critique sessions. And why is nothing you said last night is in your “written” critique? Is it too early in the day for wine?
2 July, 2009 at 12:43 pm
A tragic character … can’t reveal her back story too soon … I love the idea of a strip tease and that’s how the story around my tragic character has been evolving.
It’s so great to hear I’m not the only person with a significant character who doesn’t inspire empathy.
2 July, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I just hope the “big reveal” is worth the wait!
2 July, 2009 at 1:53 pm
LOL.
2 July, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Linda,
I have a character that I revealed her back story in little bits of horrifying flashbacks between scenes depicting her really wonderful present day life…that worked for me..showed what she’d overcome….don’t know how you want to play your character…but good luck, however you get there.
p.s. I loved the graphic.
please email me, I need to tell you something off blog. :0)
2 July, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Thanks, Karen, I have confidence I’ll work it out eventually, I’m just always frazzled after critique sessions. Unfortunately, I blog and let everyone know that.
2 July, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Good luck, Linda! That’s a great analogy as well. It really is a strip tease. I like that.
After my writing group critiques, I am usually frazzled for a while, and then the ideas start coming on strong, FWIW. I love the process.
2 July, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Thanks, Frank. Yeah, I’m calming down now and ready to get back to work.
3 July, 2009 at 4:36 am
Linda: I love the cheeky picture! Hope you sort your dilemma out soon…
3 July, 2009 at 10:57 am
Thanks, Christine, I’m sure I will … thoughts are rumbling around in there.
3 July, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Renee coming in as a major player a 3rd of the way through the book is a challenge. She’s like a new girl in school, coming in months after friendships have bonded. It will take time before she blends in and becomes one of the crowd. Plus she’ll have to try harder than those starting on the first day.
4 July, 2009 at 8:56 am
Can you hear me whimpering?