Monday, August 17

On Character Epiphanies

I write by twisting my emotions and mindset to become my character, much like an actor prepping to play a role. The end effect is difficult to describe to anyone who doesn't do this without sounding like I should be committed, but sometimes it feels like I'm having a conversation with one of my characters.

This recently happened with a character in a novel I'm working on. I started off with her as the human daughter of a powerful werewolf--like Adam Hauptman's daughter Jesse in Patricia Briggs' Moon Called series--but details kept popping up that made me feel like the character, if she met me, would be hiding a smile at my expense.

She finally came out and 'told' me: "I actually can't be human, you know. My mother was a sink. Sinks can't bear mundane children to term."

Me: Huh??? (But, upon reflection, I realize that's what fits the story best.)

Her: "That means my little brother isn't human, either."

Me: What little brother?

Her: The one currently in hiding with my mother so none of the powerful werewolves visiting realize they're sinks and kill 'em.

Me: ...That means you're a werewolf, doesn't it?

Her: Yep.

Me: Your friend [the narrator, who's been brutalized by werewolves] is gonna freak when she finds out.

Her: ...

Me: What?

Her: You know, me being a werewolf means I'm my dad's heir, too. Which means I'll be his executioner after my birthday that everyone's coming to celebrate.

Me: O.O

Her: Sorry.

Me: I liked you.

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