Quirks In Your Characters

Personal struggles. The challenges that you have just because you are you can be a daily struggle but they also make your writing better.

Did I write that? That is so dry. Let’s make this more interesting.

The more that I talk about writing the more of myself I find myself sharing. Is it good? Is it bad? I don’t know. The one thing I do know is that I have shared this story before. A lot. It’s basically public knowledge at this point. Let me share it one more time.

When I was a little girl a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away. Just kidding. When I was a little girl my parents along with a lot of other adults told me that I could be whatever I wanted to be when I grew up. One of the things I wanted to do was...now I’m a little bit embarrassed, but it was a really cool thing to be in the 70's. Seriously. I’m not kidding. It was cool damnit! I wanted to be an entertainer and not any entertainer. I wanted my own show. Like Sonny and Cher. Captain and Tennille. Donny and Marie. Except no Donny. Just me because I’ve always been a rebel that way. I was really into myself back then because...you know, Four. It’s basically a four year old's job to be all about themselves. You are never going to see how wonderful a little kid is they if don’t tell you how great they are. Repeatedly. Trust me, they are convinced of this. Adults do not have the mental faculties to remember such things.

You have to admit, it’s really cute when they do that.

Some time during the mid 70's, I decided that if I was going to be this entertainer when I grew up it was time to get started already. I was going to perform in my own little concert. I spent days convincing my mother to let me do this. I invited people to the show. I made tickets and gave them out. My sister and her friend helped me pick out a dress. We picked out a song for me to sing along with the record player. (If you don’t know what a record player is ask someone who looks old.) I practiced. And then, finally the moment came. I walked out into the living room in my dress, ruffled socks, dress shoes, and freshly coiffed hair, I waited for the music to start, looked at all of those people smiling and looking at me. I froze. I promptly ran into the bedroom that I shared with my older sisters and cried. A lot. Even though my mother insisted that I dry my tears and go back into the living room and sing the song, running into bedroom at first panic was the wrong thing to do. It set a precedent and to this day when it comes to doing something big, difficult, or anything that is deeply important to me, I tend to freeze. It is like a wall appears in front of me, one that only I can see. I have to stop. Right where I am. Wherever I am.

Things did get better over time. It was less of a problem when my husband was alive because regardless of his opinion on the situation he always had my back. After he passed it became a problem again, not a big one, but it can stop me from doing things that are deeply important to me. This isn’t my diary. I do have a point. Although, I’m beginning to wonder if these stories should all be published under a column called “I Do Have A Point,” “We’re Going To Get There..Eventually," or "Taking The Loooooong Way Around."

Here’s my point, as a writer these issues can be a gift. It can be a useful tool to take a tiny little piece of yourself, a quirk, a phobia, or a struggle and give it to one of your characters. It makes them more complex and draws the reader in.

The reader may have a similar problem or know someone who does. Or your character might remind them of a family member or an old friend. Quirks, phobias, and difficulties give the character more depth and helps your reader suspend disbelief. As a result, you have a much better chance of keeping the reader’s attention.

How does this pertain to me?

A few years ago, I became an amazing singer. 

Just kidding.

A few years ago I was able to use my previous life goal to my advantage. I fictionalized that little girl who was going to grow up to be an amazing entertainer. The character that I created, Gracie Sanders, is prettier, more talented, and is a lot more confident than I ever was. She found her home in a script for a web series called, “Surviving Winter.” It doesn’t have a home yet. It will. Some day. I think that she’s happy there. I know that I am. I’m a much better writer than I ever would have been as a Marie.

(Waves) Goodnight Everybody.