Crafting Unforgettable Characters
Character creation can be incredibly fun, especially when a side character comes to life in an unexpectedly original way. They leap off the page, taking you along for the ride! In my upcoming novel, The Legend of Blackwick, two characters have captivated beta readers, sparking requests for character art and praise for their realism. Here’s a glimpse into how they came to be.
The Birth of Unique Characters
Two characters from my new novel, The Legend of Blackwick, have captured the hearts of my beta readers. They’ve described these characters as vividly real, adding a unique flavor to the story and making it impossible to stop reading when they appear.
The Creative Process
Creating these characters was a journey. I started with a basic need for characters who would inhabit the sewers of 1780s Paris. Research was crucial, revealing that the labyrinthine passages familiar from Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera weren’t constructed until Napoleon’s time.
Character Development
From there, I delved into their psyche: What were their thoughts, feelings, and past experiences? How did they interact with each other and outsiders? More research was necessary, including the psychology and anatomy of their unique species.
Characters That Surprise
These characters, born in the sewers of Paris, are some of the most unusual I’ve ever created. If you’ve read Forever Is Eternity, you might remember the Vernian shark and the petrified crocodile heart. These new characters, though initially startling, quickly subvert stereotypes, becoming integral to the narrative in ways I never planned.
A Glimpse at Other Characters
The Legend of Blackwick also introduces a singing crocodile pirate, a loyal werewolf lieutenant, a faithful hunting dog, a two-headed dragon, and Blackwick himself. Each character adds depth and intrigue to the story.
When characters take on a life of their own, the writing process becomes an adventure. I invite you to meet these characters in The Legend of Blackwick and see why they have enchanted my readers.
