Birthing a Character

Birthing a Character by Debra H. Goldstein

Characters don’t spring full-grown onto the page. Instead, like a child (or for pet-lovers – an animal), each must be conceived and nurtured during an internal growth period before being introduced to the world.

There are numerous forms of conception used by authors. Sometimes a family member, friend, or someone simply observed casually passing triggers the idea for a character. Occasionally, a word or understanding of the type of individual who might be involved with the plot the author has in mind is the impetus for creation. Once the first seed is planted, the author fleshes out the different aspects of the proposed character. Humans and animals have more limited mechanisms to conceive a character – Google them.

At some point, the human or animal embryo develops arms, legs, hair, and other physical attributes that will be obvious at birth. The author has a clean slate to steal from living or fictional individuals or to simply mix and match physical characteristics and emotional traits as the author deems appropriate to the story. Consequently, the character may be deaf and blind like Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker, have a single eye like Cyclops, be on the heavy side with a wonderful mustache like Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot, or be a Peter Pan boy-like sprite.

Many authors write detailed backstory outlines for their characters while others simply let the voices they hear in their heads (which they attribute to the characters) dictate character behavior and development. As they write their stories, they nurture their characters in different environmental settings and have consequences arise from interaction with other characters. Animals and humans can be influenced by their physical and emotional environments, but unlike authors can’t change the end results by hitting delete.

Perhaps the one thing I believe most distinguishes successful characters and books from those that

don’t resonate with readers is when it is obvious an author became engaged with the characters. In those instances, there is a link of love that comes across even with the antagonist. Louise Penny’s books offer good examples of this phenomenon. Reading her entire series, one can see how she relates to her characters and works hard to give them room for growth while respectfully nurturing each character’s individuality.

I tried to use these concepts when I created the Sarah Blair series. My initial thought was I wanted a cozy protagonist adverse to cooking and crafts. The conceptual idea was the difference between my sister’s and my abilities in the kitchen and our physical attributes – night and day. I didn’t initially create a detailed backstory for Sarah or any of the other characters. Instead, I listened to their voices. This was problematic when I ignored them. The book stalled until I realized I was trying to make the wrong character the antagonist. When I listened, I rewrote half of One Taste Too Many and fell in love with every character. I was engaged and eager to know what would happen next. Hopefully, readers will pre-order or purchase Two Bites Too Many (https://www.amazon.com/Bites-Many-Sarah-Blair-Mystery/dp/1496719484) because they, too, are engaged.

As for a final comparison between fiction and life, I am convinced the same rules of engagement hold true from the minute of birth.

Killer Nashville 2017

by Paula Gail Benson

Going to a writing conference is a wonderful experience. Each has its own personality and focus. For me, Malice Domestic, which occurs near Washington, D.C. at the end of April or beginning of May, is a warm family reunion of readers and writers, all relishing the strategies for puzzling out traditional mysteries. Bouchercon--taking place this year in Toronto, Canada--gathers together writers from all the mystery genres, from cozy to thriller, in a huge celebration of variety and skill.

Killer Nashville is the one conference I’ve attended that consistently has the effect of revving my writing engine. Although it welcomes both readers and writers, its primary focus is on the writing craft and criminal process. It features experts discussing developing characters, structure, and marketing as well as accurately portraying poisons, police procedure, and protocols. Each year, a member of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation sets up a crime scene and participants try to solve who did it. The lucky winner receives a free registration to the next year’s conference.

I have a lot of gratitude for Killer Nashville because it gave me the opportunity to be in the anthology Killer Nashville Noir: Cold Blooded (for “A Matter of Honor” written with Robert Dugoni) among such fabulous talents as Jeffrey Deaver, Anne Perry, and Catriona McPherson. This year, I delighted in being introduced by Guest of Honor Chris Grabenstein to publicly read the opening of the story.

Reading from "A Matter of Honor"

Clay Stafford, the founder and creative genius behind Killer Nashville, gives those attending lots of opportunities to serve on panels. This practice helps authors to develop their confidence in appearing before their peers and also helps panel members to meet and bond. I felt very fortunate this year to participate on four panels.

Subplots Panel

Creating and Weaving Subplots was moderated by Kelly Oliver (who won the Silver Falchion for Best Attending Author) and included Mary Davidsaver, Susan Page Davis, Tracee de Hahn, and Rick Helms (whose extensive work with the South Eastern Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America was recognized with the Magnolia Award). Catherine Dilts did a great job in providing a panel summary in her blog.

Writing Medical and Legal Thrillers, moderated by Charley Pearson and featuring Claire Applewhite, Judith Lucci, Linda Petrilli, and Doug Woodward all with medical backgrounds (I was the sole representative for the legal field), had a fascinating discussion about how reality and imagination can develop truly riveting stories that carefully adhere to medical or legal principles.

Medical/Legal Thriller Panel

I always love talking about writing short stories. Our panel moderated by Jenean McBrearty was a particularly fun group, including my pals Debra Goldstein and Robert Mangeot and new friends Warren Moore (who teaches at Newberry College in South Carolina) and Kathryn Lane (whose novel Waking Up in Medellin won the Silver Falchion for Best Fiction Adult Suspense). Again, Catherine Dilts provided a terrific summary.

Short Story Panel

My final panel, about writing with a collaborator, had just one person attending, but led by our moderator Mike Rubin, we went forward and enjoyed a lively discussion. Barbara Collins, Max Allan Collins (another Guest of Honor), and Susan Page Davis were the other panelists.

Being at Killer Nashville led me to become involved with the board of SEMWA. We have an enthusiastic organization. Our president Maggie Toussaint is a dynamo and board members Stacy Allen, Nancy Sartor, Susan M. Boyer, Phil Hardwick, and John Gordon work diligently to organize programs and retreats to benefit our members. Past President Beth Terrell continues to provide us with wise counsel, and we were very proud and celebrating with her when she was honored with the Builder’s Award at this year’s Killer Nashville. 

Over the years, those who have come as Guests of Honor or attendees have enjoyed the experience so much that they have created four scholarships to enable other writers to attend. Past scholarship holder and a Claymore finalist this year (and a writer to be watched), Kathleen Donnelly, spoke about what the opportunity to attend Killer Nashville had meant for her writing career. Her speech is published on The Stiletto Gang blog.

If you have an interest in a smaller conference that concentrates on writing skills and expert procedural information, please consider coming to Killer Nashville. I think you’ll find a place where you’ll want to return.

How do conferences enrich your writing?

One More Post about Bouchercon 2016 in New Orleans

by Paula Gail Benson

My blog for today is late. I’m circulating it for peer review at the last moment. Actually beyond the last moment.

Po’ boys and red beans and rice

Why? Because I spent the last week celebrating my birthday in New Orleans and attending Bouchercon 2016. When organizer Heather Graham made the bid to host the mystery conference after Hurricane Katrina, she said she wanted to help rebuild the city one party at a time. I’m still trying to count the number of parties initiated and enjoyed at this year’s B’con. It truly exemplified the phrase “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (“Let the good times roll”).

Since it was my birthday, I arrived two days early. On the Airport Shuttle, I heard about the Dixieland Jazz at Preservation Hall. Once I arrived at the hotel, and enjoyed my view of the Natchez paddleboat, I took stock of the locations of all the restaurants a friend had recommended. I started out at Felix’s where I had shrimp and oyster po’ boys, red beans and rice, and bread pudding with whiskey sauce.

Bread pudding with whiskey sauce

Then, I walked to Gumbo’s, for an appetizer of Oysters Rockefeller dip with fried bow tie pasta before waiting in line for tickets. The time spent was well worth it. I met a delightful couple from Poland who had been at the Hall every night of their vacation to listen to the music. We sat together on a wooden bench beneath swirling fans as the band (trumpet, trombone, sax, bass, piano, and drums) thrilled us with “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “Ain’t Misbehaving,” “Babyface,” “Summertime,” and “Shake and Bake.” I returned to the hotel, walking up Bourbon Street, but it felt more like floating on a cloud.

Oysters Rockefeller dip with fried bow tie pasta

The next day, I explored Decatur Street, finding Beckham’s, a second hand bookstore with a resident cat; several praline establishments; and many souvenir and specialty shops. At Jackson Square, I went into St. Louis Cathedral for mass. My literary introduction to New Orleans was reading Julie Smith’s Skip Langdon novels. I remembered so well the scene from New Orleans Mourning where, after Mardi Gras’ Fat Tuesday, Skip goes to the cathedral for Ash Wednesday service. The cathedral has extraordinary frescos and statuary.

On either side of the cathedral are two museums: the Cabildo features the city’s history while the Presbytère has one floor dedicated to information about the hurricanes that have struck New Orleans and another floor that showcases the costumes, floats, and memorabilia of the Mardi Gras celebrations.

Beignets and Cafe Au Lait

At the edge of Jackson Square is Café Du Monde, which serves beignets, coffee, and hot chocolate twenty-four hours-a-day. I sat there a while, enjoying my treat and people watching before walking to the river overview and listening to the calliope on the Natchez.

Once Bouchercon began, I felt as if I were in a whirlwind, being tossed from one wonderful experience to the next. Rather than packing the souvenir bags, the organizers created a book bazaar and gave participants six tickets to select the reading they wanted to take home with them. Breakfasts and afternoon snacks were available in the hospitality room. At the opening ceremony, we dined on New Orleans cuisine (muffulettas, boudin balls, shrimp cocktail, egg roll, King cake) while the honored guests, dressed in Mardi Gras costumes, rode into the room on mini-floats. A day later, the crowd walked up Canal Street in a parade led by a brass band and stilt walkers to see Lee Child’s interview with David Morrell and hear the announcement of the Anthonys at the Orpheum Theatre.

Opening Reception

The programming and interviews were very well done. I learned a great deal about “Doing Diversity Right” at the Sisters in Crime pre-conference. A shout out to our own Linda Rodriguez, who along with other experts, gave excellent advice about how to write with respect for different cultures and persons with disabilities. The keynote, given by Walter Mosley, was a rousing way to start the event.

I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Connelly’s interview with Harlan Coben and Ace Atkins’ interview with Julie Smith. The celebrations for the 30^th anniversary of Sisters in Crime, the 75^th anniversary of Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, and the 6^th anniversary of the writing group of Donna Andrews, Ellen Crosby, John Gilstrip, Alan Orloff, and Art Taylor all included champagne.

As always, the best part of any gathering of writers was the opportunity to reconnect and hear the news. Being in a city that offered history, mystery, fabulous food, and the possibility for parties on every corner only made it more wonderful. There are so many people I met (another shout out to our own Margaret Hamilton and Linda Rodriguez’ husband Ben, among others), greeted, and truly enjoyed seeing. I’m very grateful for the time we had together.

Almondine

Thanks to everyone responsible for the planning and to all who attended and made it such a grand success.

I can’t end this message without saying a very special thank you to Dennis and B.K. Stevens who hosted a wonderful birthday dinner for me at the Meauxbar Bistro. As Art Taylor pointed out on Facebook, somehow we had seven desserts for six people (including Debra Goldstein and Riley Miller). We were all initially dubious about the Jalapeno Melon Mint Cheesecake, but delighted that it tasted very much like a Mojito (my favorite cocktail and a very literary drink if you consider Hemingway’s preference). And, how can you go wrong with Almond Joy Chocolate Cake?

 

Birthday desserts

Did you go to Bouchercon this year? What was your favorite experience? Has this message been a little too preoccupied with food?