by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
For my daughter’s entire life, I’ve watched with amusement as people have made the mistake of judging her by her appearance.
She’s diminutive, doll-like in many ways. Very odd, since I’m 5’10” and don’t have many memories of the brief time I was small. But my daughter is frequently mistaken for a second grader, although she’s in middle school.
People don’t expect is how tough she is. She knows her own mind…and speaks it. She can certainly take care of herself. And I wouldn’t advise calling her cute.
I think that’s one aspect that makes my daughter interesting—that dichotomy between her appearance and her personality. She’s a surprise.
Characters who surprise readers are also interesting…and provide realism in a story.
Ways that characters can surprise readers:
Characters who pretend to be different than they actually are. Common in mysteries, but useful in other genres, too. We can all play nice for short periods of time, can’t we? The opposite is true, too—the person who plays the tough guy, but is actually very sensitive or timid.
Characters who change during the course of the story. Directly related to plot events, these characters change for a variety of different reasons: death of someone close to them, change of health, change of circumstance, change of marital status. Might be a good idea to see those changes happen gradually to a character…but if it is abrupt, it needs to be believable.
Characters who differ from what their physical appearance suggests (see above.) This could encompass a Napoleon complex…someone who has a particular personality as a result of their appearance or size.
Characters who experience a change of heart. Sometimes I’ll see this in films where the bad guy has the opportunity to save the good guy (usually when the good guy is hanging off the side of a cliff.) Again, there’s got to be something there in the plot to make the readers believe this abrupt change of heart. Has the protagonist saved the antagonist in the past? What’s the backstory here?
What other ways can characters surprise us? Which ways are your favorites to read or write?
Image: Flickr: A. Currell
17 Comments
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I like interesting characters and thought a detective with a romantic side would be a nice change, but the drunken, womanizing man seems to hit the spot with most mystery readers.
Some of the best characters I’ve read are the ones who look like ‘normal’ folk — the pudgy short girl with the attitude ‘I’m hot’ live with it. Or the nerd who knows judo and isn’t afraid to use it.
Your daughter sounds like she’s on her way to becoming a great individual! And a growth spurt is still possible, but not too soon, she sounds beautiful!
Great post.
Elizabeth – I know exactly what your daughter experiences. I’m only a little over 1.5 m and people have been known to make the same judgement about me… until I open my mouth ;-).
What you say about characters is really interesting and I think when a character is surprising, this can add a lot of interest to a story. One way my own characters have surprised me (and of course this happens with those I read about too) is when they have a side to them one didn’t know. For instance, I get surprised when a character has an unusual hobby or a lot of knowledge about a topic you wouldn’t expect.
I do love when a character or real person surprises me. I love when I surprise myself by behaving in a way that is uncharacteristic. I always learn so much about writing from reading your posts, Elizabeth.
Karen
Yolanda–You know, sometimes I think readers like characters that need some help! Or maybe characters that they can shake their heads over and feel better than. :) Like the womanizing drunkard you mentioned.
And I think my daughter would love to hear your thoughts that she might still have a good growth spurt. :) She’d like to be 6 feet tall, I think! (She *acts* like she’s 6 feet tall…)
I love when a smaller, picked-on character gets to surprise everyone either by kicking ass at something or coming out with a witty comment.
Another surprise I love from characters is when you find out that two characters had a past that played into the story, but it wasn’t obvious or you didn’t quite see it as it happens.
One of my favorite parts of character development is adding the layers–the details that might end up surprising people or at least adding interest to the character.
I have to second Karen, I always learn so much from you!
I like characters who change in some way over the course of the book. By the end of my book, Angel Sometimes, Angel changes her beliefs and view of the past. Especially if the character is the lead in a series, I want to see growth in the character, big or small.
Some great options here. I like characters who are different from what their appearances suggest and I adore character growth. I haven’t played with pretender characters, though, and I love the idea.
Margot–Ha! I can imagine. :)
And great example! And the fun thing about a character’s hobby is that it’s a great show-don’t-tell way to get the reader into the character’s head.
Paul–Yes! Sort of a class-clown type, for example. Or a character who finally shows what he’s made of when his back is against the wall and he’s finally had enough.
Karen–And I learn a lot from yours!
I like surprising myself, too. :) Sometimes I baffle myself, just as often…ha!
Kas–Good one! Yes, that can even be used in a plot twist, really effectively.
Thanks so much for saying so, and for coming by, Kas!
Helen –Love the idea of changing a character’s view of the past! Lots of ways to do that–a lesson in forgiveness, eyes opening to a scary event that wasn’t fully recognized in childhood, etc.
Hart–Pretenders are a lot of fun in mysteries. And then it’s fun to reveal their true personalities (especially if they’re the killer). We just have to remember to have all the clues there to make it fair.
One of my favorite stories of all time is The Princess Bride. I think that it is a perfect example of what you are talking about … just in Wesley/Dread Pirate Roberts alone.
You are so right Elizabeth, when you talk about the layers. They help to make a good story a delicious read.
Kathy M.
Interesting post! I like the idea of characters behaving in unexpected ways. Years ago, a drama coach told me I was doomed to forever be cast as the ingenue because of my appearance. That’s a bunch of hooey, both on the stage and in a book.
I’ve used all but the first one. Might need to try that!
I absolutely love it when characters surprise me! Your daughter sounds like an awesome girl.
Hi, came across your great blog thanks to Margot Kinbergs’ link. I have a similar issue but get misjudged because of my name, Candi. People always assume I’m either a stripper or a hippy type. In reality I think they are always rather disappointed to find I’m neither!
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy–Yes, one of my favorites, too. :) Great example of characters who surprise us (and a nice reminder of how delightful it can be when we’re surprised.
Alex–Hope you’ll give it a go!
Susan–Good for you, proving them wrong!
Julie –Thanks so much! She is. :)
acrimereadersblog–Thanks so much for coming by! And…too funny! A good reminder that the character’s *names* can also help us provide readers with a surprise. :)
Great insight. I always come away with so much to think about when I visit. Thank you. :)
Raquel–Thanks so much for visiting. :)