writer needs to know the character’s motivation and how the character reacts to situations.
A compelling
character needs a problem to make his/her life interesting enough to carry the
reader’s interest throughout the story. The problem should be large enough to
create consequences that can ripple from beginning to end. As the character
attempts to control the situation, allow the reader to “see” his/her feelings.
Emotions give life to a character and affect actions and reactions. Maybe anger
compels him to act in a way he normally would not. Strong emotions can force
characters to react to circumstances even when they don’t want to.
When
I wrote GONE CUCKOO, I wanted to portray the birth parents (cuckoos) as warm,
caring birds, and do the same for the warblers (adoptive parents). The main
character is a young cuckoo bird that doesn’t fit into the lifestyle of the
warblers, and when he attends Warbler Academy, he fails miserably. Naturally,
his frustration and embarrassment levels are high and he feels as if he is a
failure.
Even
though the characters are birds, their emotions and behaviors mirror that of children
who are placed in a similar, unfamiliar situations in which they are ill-suited.
As a result, the characters become relatable.
Call
for Submissions for Young Writers
Sarah Mook Poetry Prize for
Students. Restrictions: Students
in grades K-12. Genre: Poetry. Prize: $100.
Deadline: March 31, 2017.
Submission guidelines at http://www.sarahmookpoetrycontest.com/
Call
for Submissions for Adult Writers
Positively Happy! Chicken Soup for the Soul. 101 Stories about Positive
Thinking and Living a Happy Life
Deadline: May 31, 2017
Deadline: May 31, 2017
Submission guidelines at https://www.freedomwithwriting.com/freedom/uncategorized/chicken-soup-for-the-soul-several-deadlines-approaching-11-books/
Nancy Kelly Allen has written 40+ children’s books and a cookbook,
SPIRIT OF KENTUCKY: BOURBON COOKBOOK.
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