In my second draft I have some gaps to fill, and Hannah is one of the problematic gaps.
She arrived in the last chapter of draft one as if she had always been around; she and my heroine know each other quite well, but looking back, nowhere in the first draft had there been any hint this young woman existed...
That was when I realised that she would actually fill a necessary role that was one of the gaps I had.
She has the confidante role. But she'll also be a means of passing information on where appropriate.
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| Seeing the light? |
I know she's a year or two older than my heroine, and has had a little more experience of the world, so that will prove insightful later- there's a completely new scene in my mind (for much further on in the draft) where Hannah will be doing a little manipulation- for the best of reasons of course. :D
Unlike my other characters I don't yet have a bio for her. That's usually when I find out all those useful snippets of information lurking in the recesses of my mind.
Perhaps that will get through her protective shell.
Onward with the never-ending mystery of the supporting cast...
I love reading about you getting to know your characters, Carol and I think it's wonderful when one appears from nowhere before you even realise you need them :-) xx
ReplyDeleteI've found that a lot of my character construction goes on in the background without me really being aware of it, Teresa, except for the occasional thought. :-)
DeleteI, too, tend to learn about my characters as they appear. I can't imagine sitting down and plotting everything out with bios and all, but I wish I could do that. I have to put them on the page and see what happens!
ReplyDeleteI do find that I discover more about my main characters as I'm writing, Stephanie, but each bio that I write at the start, seems to act as a template which is adapted as I discover more.
DeleteAnd writing them out allows me to clear my head for new developments. :-)
Hannah sounds like a valuable character to have, Carol - isn't it great when they walk into the story like that!
ReplyDeleteI'm always surprised by moments like this, Rosemary. But I'm sure all writers do these things, just not necessarily in the same way. :-)
DeleteI'm sure you'll get to know her in the end, Carol - just make sure she doesn't take over the book! ps - I think she should be 'confidante' with an E.
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ReplyDeleteNo, she won't take over as she's been given an essential role which only requires occasional but vital appearances.
DeleteYes, you're right, Lizy, an 'e' on the end for the feminine version. That will teach me to read the whole of the dictionary's explanation, and not just take the first version. :)
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