Here’s what I believe: Novels that involve the reader are about characters. Special characters. Characters who, through the course of the novel, go through a transformation. In romance novels, the characters transform because of their involvement with the other primary character (as opposed to, say, finding Moby Dick). I also believe that the only reason for plot is to force our characters into situations that make them have to chose. To transform.
I believe that, too. But I wasn’t the one to say it. That brilliant observation is courtesy of Jo Leigh. Well, duh, you say. Novels being about characters is obvious. Okay, I say. Then why are so many characters described as cardboard? Why do they come across as stereotypical cliches? Or seem to have been plucked out of central casting and plopped into a scene?
That would be because they’re not real. They don’t exist on the page as people, as vital living beings, but as puppets manipulated by the author who is pulling their strings to make the plot go her way. By doing so, she’s pulling the reader’s strings, too. That’s not the way a book should be written. Not if a reader is going to take it to heart, laugh and cry with the characters, fear for their safety, believe every step of their journey.
Don’t you want to write with a true depth of character? Then why not let Jo show you how. She’s teaching a class, and is going to make sure one of you reading this gets a chance to learn how via the following:
The Core Decision is all about creating characters. It’s about using your own life, the joys, the tragedies, the love, the desperation that made us who we are. It’s about breathing life into your hero and heroine and your villain so that each of them leap off the page and into the reader’s heart. In this workshop, we will cover:
The Core Decision
* The Child’s Interpretation
* The Decision
* The Fallout
* Reinforcements
* Recognition
* The New Decision
* Actions = TransformationsThe Process of Discovery
* Remembering
* Writing it out
* Shame
* PainThe Fatal Flaw
* Character Arc and Emotions
* Transference — how plot reveals character
* Multiple Levels of Interaction — All the Yous of You
Jo is generously giving away one class tuition to a reader of my blog. Post to the comments that you’re dying to take this class, and on Saturday night, September 8, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.ish CDT, I’ll pick a winner.
If you’d like more information, visit Jo’s blog , or if you know you want to take this class whether you win it or not, head to the source and sign up.
Read the haiku from yesterday about the lime helmet and giggled. A lot. Thanks – needed a laugh. And oh yah…dying to take the class :D
by Bri September 5th, 2007 at 12:50 amI have yet to take a class on character and this one sounds awesome. I’m dying to take this class, please drop me in the hat or at least my name.
Amanda
by Amanda Freeman September 5th, 2007 at 3:30 amThrow my name at the hat please =D
by AJ O'Donovan September 5th, 2007 at 5:50 amOh, oh! This sounds awesome. I’d definitely love to take that class.
by Jenny C. September 5th, 2007 at 7:24 amDying to take the class. :)
by Jess September 5th, 2007 at 7:56 amI’d LOVE to say I didn’t need this class. But I’m being truthful with myself and I’m not sure my current characters DO have depth. Oh, they’re likable enough, but deep? Not sure.
Never took a class before, so not even sure what’s required. I’ll take a stroll to Jo’s blog and check it out, but consider me in. :-)
by Kate Scott September 5th, 2007 at 8:22 amI’m not a writer, so don’t throw my name into the contest, BUT as a reader, this hits spot on for me.
My favorite books are the ones where the characters are so real, I swear I might run into them at the local Wal-Mart! :o) Characters that I CARE about what happens to them b/c they seem so real to me.
by Tracy September 5th, 2007 at 8:35 amI’m definitely going to take this class. Doesn’t matter whether I win or not, this is one I want to take.
by Caro September 5th, 2007 at 8:44 amI’m dying to take this class. Ms. Leigh is getting a lot of press in the blogosphere today — I just read about her latest release on PBW.
by Eliza September 5th, 2007 at 9:23 amThank you so much for this information. I’m just starting to put my first novel together and this would be a big help. Always on the lookout for was in which I’d not have to learn it the hard way :)
by Vanessa September 5th, 2007 at 11:07 am[...] You know it’s a messed up holiday week when even Sven forgets it’s Wednesday! If you missed Sunday’s inspirational post by HelenKay Dimon, it’s not too late to check it out! Also, one of your sponsors is giving a class and giving away one tuition to a lucky writer! Details here! [...]
by 70 Days of Sweat » Blog Archive » September 5th - Wednesday check-in September 5th, 2007 at 11:16 amYes, I am also dying to take this class. Please sign me up for the contest!
by Jenifer September 5th, 2007 at 12:15 pmWriting with Depth of Character
by Ten Keyboards September 5th, 2007 at 12:22 pmSounds interesting and very much needed over here. Please throw my name in.:)
Thanks
by fairie September 5th, 2007 at 12:27 pmI definitely want to learn to write with a true depth of character. And I would love to let Jo show me how!! Great contest.
by Valerie September 5th, 2007 at 12:41 pmWould love to take this class with Jo Leigh.
by Hannah September 5th, 2007 at 2:58 pmI’d love to take the class, too. So, yes, please, enter me in the contest. It sounds really fascinating. And hey, I’ll be the last to say I couldn’t use to brush up on some of my skills. :-P
by Jen September 5th, 2007 at 3:08 pmWow – what a nice thing to do.
And pretty much no matter where you are at with your writing it’s always a good idea to take classes and build your skills.
I think Jo Leigh is an awesome writer and it would be cool to take a class by her. Please throw my name in – I’d love to take this class.
by Tammi September 5th, 2007 at 4:17 pmSounds like an interesting class. If you go over to PBW, she gives Leigh’s latest a great review.
by Sandy L September 5th, 2007 at 4:24 pmI’d love to take a class like this. It’s been a long time and I certainly need the help. Do you want me to write one of those *Queen for a Day* stories?! LOL! But I do need it.
by Maude Clare September 5th, 2007 at 5:17 pmoh please pick me!!!!
by CJ September 5th, 2007 at 6:00 pmno class = dying
Any class taught by Jo would kick arse. Count me in. :)
by Jordan September 5th, 2007 at 7:44 pmOMG, I so want to take this class!!! I like my characters but I need them to be more real. Please pick me, she says as she waves her hand wildly in the air, squirming in her blog seat.
by Vicki Lane September 5th, 2007 at 8:35 pmCan I come too!
You can never learn enough. :)
by Silke September 5th, 2007 at 9:14 pmI would love to take this class. It sounds fabulous.
by Stephanie S. September 5th, 2007 at 10:18 pmI just got back some contest results. One of the judges mentioned that I need more conflict and development in my characters. So, yes, I’m dying to take this class!
by Laurie L September 5th, 2007 at 11:40 pmI’d love to take this workshop :)
by Lis September 7th, 2007 at 12:11 amI need this class, in so many way.
Misty
by Misty September 8th, 2007 at 9:11 am