February
Onward! This month's prompt...
Character Connection:
How do your characters connect with one another?
Generally, my characters connect somewhat by accident. I'll start a story with one character, and more introduce themselves (or just barge in) as I continue writing. For example, I started a new story in January with a character named Jafar. I knew very little about him, except that he lived in a lord's household and was somehow related to the "main family." And then I met his mother, step-father and two half sisters who live more than two weeks journey away, and his Uncle, who apparently is in charge of his education. This took about... two hours of staring at blank pages.
What kind of connection do they have? How do you connect your characters to the reader?
I like having mentor relationships- thus the Uncle- and struggle with writing multiple characters the same age and/or peer group. I generally prefer writing with a buddy to avoid the struggle to create both sides of a friendship or romantic relationship before I really fill in the characters personalities.
I connect (or attempt to connect ) the characters to the reader by getting their thoughts onto the page and making them believable in their interactions and reactions.
Bonus:
Share with us an excerpt from your current or completed novel(s) that demonstrates your favorite example of character connection.
Share with us an excerpt from your current or completed novel(s) that demonstrates your favorite example of character connection.
When you left- you spoke in good faith, fully expecting to come back and marry her. When you never came back- well, we all did what we had to, Rakae. You became your family’s lord, I married Izel, and Izel had your child.” Rizek paused for a moment, considering. “Did you give your brother a chance to explain why I mad the journey to see you, or did he tell you that I was here and you ran off before he got to the point?” Rakaen dropped his gaze to the floor guiltily. Rizek shook his head and sighed. “Izel’s child- your child, Rakae. You have a son. We have taken care of all of our children as best we can, but- you can give him more, here. Imael told us that if we needed to, we could bring him to this house and the K’vorne family would take care of him. My- our other option is to indenture him. We don’t have the money to apply for an apprenticeship, and we’ve two daughters now.”
“Rizek- I- of course we’ll take him! He’s my- my son. I have- Desrella is pregnant. If this child lives, he might never inherit, even if he should be my heir by birthright alone, but- he is my blood, Rizek. It would be an honor to be allowed to educate him accordingly, especially after- what I did not do, over the last several years.” Trakaen looked up and met his former friend’s eyes, “How can you- even think about offering this to me, Rizek? I don’t even deserve the chance to-”
Rizek interrupted him, his voice low and fierce, “Because he is your son ! If he is to be given into the care of anyone but his mother, it should be you. Because we trust you to love him, as well as take care of him as we cannot. Because, despite what happened after your father called you home, we loved you. We still do, even though we can never go back.” Rizek breathed in deeply, then exhaled, forcing the tension to leave his shoulders. “You were her betrothed. And you were my lord, but more than that- you were like a brother to me. We lost a part of our family when you left, not just an employer or a contract. I always wanted the son of yours I was raising to know you, and so did Izel, as much as she did not wish to lose contact with her child. He has that chance- you have that chance. Even if he does have a half-brother and cannot be your heir within the K’vorne family- let him be a part of your own family. If he grows up to be like you and your, he will be a good man- and there can never be enough of those in the world.”
