Some people will tell you that the backbone of a great story is the plot. While I think a riveting plot is essential to the overall greatness of a story, for me, the characters are the backbone.
Reading a book is about having an experience. We go places we’ve never been, meet and spend time with people who make us laugh, inspire us to grow, thrill us by doing things we would never have the courage or ability to do. Characters who make us take a closer look at who we are and what we want out of life.
In reality, we can take the most exciting trip, full of things we love, but if the company we keep during that trip is someone who is negative, frustrating, or has the personality of the pet rock you had as a teenager . . . it can detract from the experience. Things that should be enjoyable become less so because the person we’re with is unbearable or boring. On the flip side, if the person we’re spending time with is amazing, then we can simply lie in the grass together, basking in the sunshine and a gentle breeze, and talk.
Likewise, we can read a book with a fast-paced, twisting plot, but if the characters are unlikable or flatter than cardboard, it detracts from the enjoyment of the journey. We start to lose interest because we’re not invested in these people.
The other day, a reader posted in a Facebook group that she didn’t understand all the hype surrounding a popular Christian suspense author, and I asked her what she disliked about this particular author so the other members of the group could help her find something more enjoyable for her. Her answer:
The characters had no depth.
I immediately felt her pain. As an author whose specialty is writing deep, lovable characters, I can’t even tell you how often I’ve read books with flat characters. The problem is, at least in the suspense genre, too much emphasis is put on the twists and turns than on character development. So you have a fast moving book, but no attachment to the people you’re spending time with.
When I wrote my debut novel, “Criss Cross,” I wasn’t familiar with what was expected of the genre I was writing in ( I didn’t even know the genre existed) so I wrote the story to my specifications. If you’ve read it, you know it’s quite long, and the reason for that is because of my emphasis on character development. If someone was going to spend the next ten hours reading my book, I wanted them to truly get to know and love the people they were going to be in danger with. I wanted them to be invested in the characters’ well-being.
Considering some of the angry messages I received from readers during book 5, “Imperfect Justice,” I guess I succeeded! For the woman who was looking for character depth in her suspense reads, I gave her the names of two authors I can always trust to do that well: Natalie Walters and Jessica Patch.
- What’s more important to you as a reader? The plot or the characters?
- Who are some authors who write characters that spring off the page?
The characters, without a doubt!! I need to relate to them or I’m done. You and Sara Davison are two of my most favorite authors, because your characters resonate with something down deep in my soul. Broken people who still have hope because of a Savior. ❤️
Sara Davison! Yes! I can’t believe I forgot to mention her. She’s excellent at character development.
I definitely agree with you, it’s the characters that ultimately make or break a story. I have been an avid reader since childhood, and I can’t begin to tell you the characters I have fallen in love with through the years. When I am reading a book, I usually pick certain characters and root for them. I can say that doing that in your books is impossible because I love all the characters lol.
Rachelle Dekker is another. Although I’m not totally sure if the genre is the same…? Hers are definitely suspense.
I am trying to get started with my first novel and character development is far from easy! I love the characters in your books!
How is the writing of your first novel going?
The characters in your books are some of the best I’ve read. Holly, Jordan, Marx, Sam… I mean everyone all the way to Jordan the Cat, you can feel and predict how they’ll behave because they are so well written, you know them. I’m re-reading all the Holly books in preparation to Book 6 and I was telling the friend I’m reading with that I’m afraid of Colin. I mean talk about writing a villian too well (lol)!
thank you! That’s a wonderful compliment 🥰 Collin is definitely a terrifying and detailed villain. I actually had a nightmare about him once 😂