The Unnatural Can Become Natural #IWSG #AMWRITING
[I wrote this post as a member of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group where we share our worries and also offer support and encouragement to each other on the first Wednesday of every month. If you’re a writer like me and you’re looking for a bit of support, you can click the link and sign up here
Thank you to our awesome co-hosts this month: Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!
Check out our IWSG homepage for recent news and events. And as always, thank you to founder Alex J. Cavaugh 🙂
It’s Natural to relate to what we understand. But what I love about life as I age, is the discovery of different paths and being drawn in and feeling something real for something or someone very unlike me.
This month’s IWSG question asks, “What do you consider the best character of your favorite genre?”
I love the difficult ones. The withdrawn ones with such a deep internal story, they have to crack and dive into truths we tend to escape from. Next, I love a character with a fantastic supporting character. I love the constant push of one against the other, and yet they refuse to give up on each other. This is life to me. The lessons. The constant mistakes and learning. The refusal to give up. The hand that doesn’t permanently let go.
One of my go-to favorites is Mackenzie Bishop, a shell of a character with the deepest story told so well by Victoria Schwab. Mac has a past she can’t escape with an impossible present. But when Wes, her supporting character crosses paths with her in a dark hallway apartment at night as she’s escaping, her details draw me in and I’m glued. I can’t relate, but the story is told in such a way I FEEL.
What about you? What favorite character comes to mind? Are they like you? Are they different? Do they have an incredible best friend?
Happy IWSG Day.
Posted on October 5, 2022, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 9 Comments.
Cloud Nine Girl 
That’s a good story that can draw you in even if you don’t relate.
This is a great take on this month’s question! I love a strong character, with a good moral compass (even if he doesn’t realize at the beginning). And I love them flawed with things I can relate to. If that character survives all the dangers and life problems an author can create, then I can too!
I love characters who have to dig deep to face their challenges too. And like, Miffie, I like them flawed. I do like the plots to move quickly though so the internal growth has to be balanced by that.
Deep, complicated characters draw me in too. Doesn’t matter what the genre is. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
I agree! Characters can make or break the story. I’ve come to realize that good characters enable me to read other genres that I don’t usually gravitate towards.
Yes. It doesn’t matter what genre as long as I can connect, and root for, at least one well-drawn character. A character-driven story is the best.
Characters need to be like real people – flawed. But with dreams, hopes, and good qualities.
I like that 🙂
My main characters are always troubled, complex, odd in some way. I wouldn’t even know how to write an authentic normal person, seeing as I have never been anything close to normal.