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You did know I would fit Damon in here somewhere right? So... we talked on Monday about making a character into a "real person". Real people are flawed. Don't roll your eyes at me and say, "yeah, I've heard it." Because maybe you haven't heard it like this...
How to bring out the Dark Side of your character:
- Make sure the MC you've chosen is the absolute WRONG person to be put in this situation. Look at the main problem/task/challenge/choice your MC has to face. Take his/her achilles heel and strike at it full force right away. Oooh, now we got something..
- Make sure that major flaw isn't the ONLY thing your character has trouble with. I know you love your character, but in this case we need tough love. Real people have more than one flaw. We may be working on the major one that flows with the plot for the character arc, but that doesn't mean your MC ends up perfect at the end, does it? NO. Besides, if he/she only has one flaw how will you ever do a sequel?? LOL
- Be the Devil. Not literally silly. What I mean is use temptation. Throw everything you can at that sucker. Make it so that your MC will suffer by doing the right thing and be rewarded (at least on the surface) by the wrong choice.
- Let him give in. Don't stop it. If you start typing something you aren't proud of on his behalf, suck it up and do it. Let the character make the decision and guide you. You know what I'm talking about.
- Show his inner conflict. Don't hide it. Let us see what drives him, what he's wrestling with. Please take a couple of minutes to watch this scene. It REALLY demonstrates this most important point. Warning - it is graphic.
Such a great wrap up of a what makes an incredible character! Love it.
ReplyDeleteI love villians and I'm getting better at writing them the more I untap into my writing and let go.
ReplyDeleteHow do you think of this stuff? Great job, Lisa! I really like all these points, but the last one--that's so crucial. I have so much trouble when I read mss and I have no peek into the character's mind. Readers will forgive so much if you give them a chance to UNDERSTAND.
ReplyDeleteHey! By this list, I did at least a couple of things right!
ReplyDelete:D
I deem this heartening and the post awesome. (My assessment is, of course, irrelevant!)
Laura - I already told you, check's in the mail! LOL
ReplyDeleteLM - Yay! Yes, untap! That's good. Write what scares you!
Sarah - I guess I have a twisted mind. Mwahaha! I agree. Once I started doing this it made my writing better.
Deb - Go Deb!! You are so totally relevant. Cut that out! :P
Wow, what a scene! He needs to carry wipes with him. *blech*
ReplyDeleteSuch great points about character *takes notes*
Great post! Thank you so much, Lisa! *stars the post* I totally needed this in the place I'm writing right now. :)
ReplyDeleteJulie- he he, somehow I can't picture Damon with wipes.
ReplyDeleteMelody - So glad it was helpful!
Exploring the dark side of characters is really my favorite thing to do, and my favorite thing to read. I want to see characters screw up and deal with it. HOW they deal with it is really what makes them worthy of being protagonists.
ReplyDeleteVivien - so well said!! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThis has to be one of my favorite posts that you have written so far, and not only because it featured Damon. Though that definitely didn't hurt! He is a great example of a wonderfully flawed character that readers can both love and hate but can't wait to read more about.
ReplyDeleteHeather - *blushes* why thank you! I was actually kind of excited about it too. But mostly because of Damon. Just kidding. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteThis is an AWESOME POST! Thanks so much Lisa! I especially think the #1 point is important, dark side or not, as this is what helps fulfill arc and ensures the character's journey will be a satisfying one for the reader. :)
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
Angela - Thank you :D Exactly. I won't be interesting if the MC has no problem resisting temptation, wherever that may come from.
ReplyDeleteOh man, that video. Wow.
ReplyDeleteSo, question for you: I totally get the inner turmoil - cram as much in there as you can and watch it just create the story for you. It's amazing. I'm completely on board with writing YA that way.
But here's the question: How much of that do you put in MG? Some, yes. But how strong, how dramatic? You can't write a crazy intense scene like that video (obvs), so if I keep the scenes light, can I still have the inner turmoil? I think the answer is yes, but I'm grappling with that right now for an MG story, so I was wondering about your take. :)
Susan - I don't claim to be an expert - especially at MG. But my personal feeling is that you still use these tips, just not in as graphic of a way. I believe in MG the inner battles are more in line with the age group. Which to the reader will feel just as immense as our problems feel for us. So don't be afraid to be true or intense, I think it would just naturally come out more age appropriate because of the subject/traits. Does that make sense?
ReplyDelete"Make sure the MC you've chosen is the absolute WRONG person to be put in this situation."
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE this. I've never heard it written this way, but it's brilliant.
@Lisa I think you are right, I'm just wrangling with how that's going to come out on paper. I think you're right, though, if I keep the focus on a true-MG-perspective, I think that will handle things.
ReplyDeleteJ. - :D Thank you. Hope my head doesn't explode and get brilliance all over everything. That could be messy.
ReplyDeleteSusan - It cannot hurt you to write it that way. You can always change it later, but I suspect it will help you grow as a writer and you will be surprised at where it takes you. I repeat yet AGAIN "write what scares you"
I was thinking about the MG perspective too, and I've done everything on your list in my MC (can you hear the applause?) but in her case, the "dark" side is more of a selfishness and an unwillingness to control negative urges. But it could be lots of things--bad things for 10 and 11 year olds. There is still the inner battle, and there is absolutely more than one flaw, but...they don't end up with blood on their mouths at the end of the scene. They end up having to do extra chores or getting grounded or something much less graphic and scary.
ReplyDeleteNo that the video scared me. I am so much braver than that. ;)
This is a really well thought-out and well-organized post, Lisa. You are great at this.
Kristen - thank you! I appreciate that. And yes, that's an excellent way to explain how this works for MG. I intended it to apply to all writing, I just use the paranormal because that's what I do! :D
ReplyDeleteAh, thanks for the eye candy!!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post on character development (as always) and an excellent clip to show it in action.
I love this! And not just the picture of Ian. LOL I totally get what you're saying and they characters do too because they keep arguing with me about letting them BE who they're meant to be. Haha! Great post Lisa!
ReplyDeleteKaren - YW! Thanks, I just love that scene.
ReplyDeleteAnime - Let them make their own decisions mom LOL
Great post and demo! I love how you remind us to let our MCs be flawed in more than one way. Even if it pains us to type it out. I will be keeping this in mind with my wip as I'm still developing the characters. Nice pic, BTW. Damon's not all bad. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, my, that picture is hotness!
ReplyDeleteWait, there were words after?
Kimberly - glad it was useful!
ReplyDeleteLJ- those aren't as important. ;D
I think this is great.
ReplyDeleteEspecially for any of us writers *ahem* who may write a character they relate to very closely. Sometimes you forget to put in those faults if they are your own. :)
I'd embrace any dark side, if it looks like him. Seriously, thank you for the wonderful post. You explain how to do it so well. Thanks! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great post!!! Damon Salvatore is always my muse when it comes to tapping into the dark-side a character. Ian Somerholder is wonderful at portraying his inner conflicts!
ReplyDeleteWhoa - what a clip. I'm heading for the garlic and my cross right now. Love your take on MFT - multiple flaw theory. Adds great depth and conflict through the story.
ReplyDeleteSushi - NEVER!! :D
ReplyDeleteBrenda - Thanks for the compliment.
Melinda - I'm with you all the way on that!
Leslie - He he I like the acronym MFT. Master in Fine Arts no more!
I think what jumps out at me most in this post is your first point. I've heard that point made before -- that your character needs to be the worst person to find themselves in their current situation -- but for some reason, it's one I forget. And it adds so much emotional depth.
ReplyDeleteI need these reminders. Thank you!
Susan - no problem! Glad it was useful to you.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a deer in the headlights looking at that pic.
ReplyDeletesooooooooooo niiiiiiiice, but also, I think I might die in the next half second.
Some great advice from Debra Dixon - don't give your character a choice between good and evil, that would be too easy. Give them a choice between sucky and suckier.
Ebony - I know, right? Yummy and dangerous. LOL I LOVE that advice!! sucky and suckier!
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely stellar advice topped off with one HOT picture... how I do love him :D
ReplyDeleteNut- He's like the whipped cream on the cocoa. It wouldn't be the same without...
ReplyDeleteWow, this is an awesome post, chocked full of great stuff. I'm so glad I checked your site today. I wonder why your posts aren't showing up in my Blogger daashboaard. Maybe if I subscribe by email.
ReplyDeleteLove the scene with Damon - Yes, he's very easy on the eyes!
I think the wipes is a good idea, but no self-respecting vampire would stoop so low. Maybe a hanky will do?
Good stuff. I don't know how I'm going to remember all the good advice I've been reading recently when I get back to writing. I think I'd better start taking notes.
ReplyDeleteThis is a FANTASTIC post. I found myself going "YES! THAT!" to every point. I must admit my favorite one is playing the Devil--my CP teases me because I'm always doing the worst possible things I can do to my characters, which usually involves impossible, torturous choices that they have to make between things they want unbearably badly. Bring on the torment!
ReplyDelete(Sometimes I worry I'm a terrible person. >_> At least I get it out via fiction...)
Lyn - Blogger's been wonky which disturbs me greatly. But I'm glad you persisted and found me again anyway!!! :D I hope the email thing works... Let me know.
ReplyDeleteLighting - It can get overwhelming sometimes, hopefully you're more organized than I am!
Meagan - Thank you!! I'm not big on conflict. EXCEPT when I'm writing. My poor characters. I absolutely torture them.
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteThe emails are coming through. Yay! Glad to hear it's Blogger and not me that messed up somehow. But it sure makes it hard to follow blogs I signed up to follow!
Thanks for stopping by my site. Your genre provides tons of great props to take to school visits. You're the perfect author to visit middle schools, and those kids will just eat it up. And they'll never forget you!
Lyn - Thanks for letting me know! I appreciate it. I'll have to think about the school visit thing. It's tempting. ;D
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. And, yes, Lisa, consider the school visits. I can tell by your posts that you'll be a HUGE hit. Kids love paranormal and spooky. It will open up a whole new world for you, and I know you'll enjoy it. Plus, it will give you lots of new ideas to blog about! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteYum...Damon... Oh sorry, I got distracted. Great post, Lisa! Love the ideas for getting to the dark side of the MC. :)
ReplyDeleteTina - Glad you liked!
ReplyDeleteI read this about a month ago (somewhere - I wanna say J.A. Konrath at "Newbies Guide to Publishing") and it stuck in my head because it's so true of literature, "Characters are most interesting when they lie." It's true, our characters must have a dark side.
ReplyDeleteBarbara - Yay! I love it when others validate what I say. ;D It does make for more interesting characters.
ReplyDeleteI was so swamped yesterday, I didn't get a chance to check out your post, Lisa. Awesome advice (especially the part about the sequel LOL). Perfect timing for planning my next WIP. :D
ReplyDeleteThis is great advice! I definitely need to give my MC more flaws.
ReplyDeleteStina - no worries!! Look how long it's taken for me to get back to you. :P Glad it was good timing for you!
ReplyDeleteGhenet - Tough love!!