This month's round-robin topic is if the character in different stories share habits or favorite words. I have to say, yes, some of mine do. It probably has to do with how my mind works.
I've noticed some of my characters have very similar characteristics in they are very independent women who love men who are accepting of that. Three are warrior women, Jezlynn in the Black Angel series, Kissre in Acceptance, and Xandra in The Nanite Warrior, and Maera in Home World Reax. And Kissre and Xandra both have leg wounds that are reinjured during the story. Hmmm...how did that happen? I didn't notice it until I reread the books. At least I know the women's personalities are very different overall.
Another thing I've noticed in re-reading my books is that I have a lot of grimace-smiles my characters make. Someone once told me there is no such thing, but I think there is--an upward lift of the lips on one side and downward on the other. Smiles yes, but not entirely happy ones. Plus many of my characters have smug reactions. I wonder if this happens because maybe I have these habits? I do hope not.
Writing fiction isn't easy because the writer must mix fact with their own mental fantasy, so I suppose similar situations and character reactions are inevitable--until the writer notices it.
Check out these author's take on this subject:
Oh yes, the expressions...another revision to consider.
ReplyDeleteAS I see from both your post and mine, this excellent topic is a tool for improvement for all of us. But I'd never pick you as being smug. Must be your alter ego.
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Bob
Hi Rhobin, I latch onto the point about similar injuries as I'm sure I'd also find that (or illnesses) if I went through my work, too. Perhaps it's something we've experienced, narrowly missed or fear happening. The great subconscious at work as always. anne
ReplyDeleteI have re-read a few of my books and have swung between: how could I have ever written that? to Wow, that is so good! My early heroines were feisty and a bit (copied Dr. Bob here) out there, my later heroines have more vulnerability. Making sure my characters are different in each of my books is something of a challenge to avoid using the same or similar frowns, nods - you get it.
ReplyDeleteHi Rhobin, I love the idea of a grimace-smile, and I can picture exactly what you mean. I agree with Bob, this is a great topic and it's made me think more deeply about my writing. I also agree with Bob that I'd never have you down as smug whatsoever!
ReplyDeleteThanks again for organising another interesting Round Robin.
There is definitely a place for a grimace-smile. Lately we all seem to be employing them when the subject of Covid comes up. But seriously, - this is a good post with a good point - we tend to assign traits to our characters that we admire or that we relate to. I've always been a confident, independent sort of woman, but I'm of an early generation where it wasn't always either the norm or accepted so I'm not hooked on having all my women like me. But, there's always a but, in todays world the shy, retiring woman who needs someone to lean on is never seen as a positive, heroic figure so writing a main character who wasn't so heroic could be a book buster.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point that your character were all independent women. I hadn't thought th of that being a similar characteristic. Good post.
ReplyDeleteHmmm. I think I can borrow a couple of your grimaces, and maybe a couple of smiles. I like to read about independent woman, and right now I've got one in a terrible fix. She's not smiling much, but maybe a grimace or two. Interesting post. Enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI always write independent heroines and the beta males (with alpha around the edges) who love them. I won't apologize for that--even though it probably limits the readers who will enjoy my books. The one time I wrote a heroine who can't make up her mind, every review I get of that one mentions how the reader wanted to slap her, to get her to realize her dithering was causing her own unhappiness. Here I just thought I was writing a different kind of heroine. Can't please everyone--or even anyone, sometimes.
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