What are the go to ingredients for the perfect book? See below to find out!
First of all, let me start this post by saying I do not, I repeat — DO NOT, claim to be a magical mystical genie that knows everything there ever is and ever will be to know about the power of amazing writing. In fact, I don't think there is a single writer out there who does. Although some may have come very close.
Writing is an art form, that much is a certainty, but you see the thing about art is it's all a matter of perspective. One reader's trash is another one's treasure and all that...
But when all is said and done, no matter whether they are a complete novice with a natural talent for wordsmithing, or a doctorate holding, three thousand books a year writing, novelist with sky rocketing sales (I know, and pigs can fly right?) one solid truth remains.
The very secret to a good work of fiction is this...
...REAL, BELIEVABLE, WELL-ROUNDED CHARACTERS!!!!
What? Not what you were expecting? Sorry to disappoint those looking for some magical, mystical serum forged from the blood of dragons and tears of angels. It really is that simple.
Give me a story about anything. Give me a story about an average day at the office. A supermarket. A story all set inside one room. A story with myths, and legends, and folklore. Give me a story about absolutely any little mundane thing you can imagine, or a tale of epic proportions and I promise you this — all attempts are futile without a believable character(s) at the centre of it. And look, this doesn't mean to say I have to like your character, hell no, it also doesn't mean they have to be human to be "real." They don't necessarily even have to have any characteristics, traits, or family ties that I myself can relate to. They just have to be authentic and realistic.
Whatever their flaws, whatever their motives — I can say with absolute certainty that it is, in fact, the characters that make a story what it is (with the exception of short stories and poetry, in my opinion).
I've written many stories across the years, some now published, some yet to see the light of day. But of one thing I am positive — say what you will about my plots, my ability to use the correct grammar, my knowledge or vocabulary, I will always, and DO always, provide real characters. Authentic characters. Characters that are living, dead, mortal, immortal, but none the less, characters that are fully fleshed out, deep, insightful, and real.
Add this one simple ingredient to your work and I promise you, you'll be destined for success.
As always, happy writing.
Who are some of your favourite characters from book, tv, film, or video games? Let me know!
I'm with you there. I love characters with..., well character. Like Ellen Ripley, Frodo Baggins or Arya Stark. I try to create realistic characters in my fiction, the sort of people you'd love to meet and hang out with.