The Love-Hate Tango of Character Creation

Hey there, fellow lover of words and stories!

You know, there's something I've been mulling over lately, and I just need to spill it. Have you ever noticed how writing can feel like the most exhilarating roller coaster ride, especially when it comes to character creation? Oh, man, it's like a dance, a tango of love and hate, and I bet you've felt it too.

Let's start with the love part because, let's face it, that's the reason we do this, right? We're smitten with the idea of breathing life into someone new. It's like playing god, only with ink and paper. Or pixels, if you're into the whole digital thing. When that spark of a new character hits, it's electrifying! The endless possibilities, their quirks, their dreams, and the myriad of adventures they're going to embark on. I mean, they're our brainchild, and watching them come alive on paper? There's nothing quite like it.

But then, the honeymoon phase starts to wane. You know what I'm talking about. When you've built this character, given them a backstory, a purpose, and then they just... refuse to cooperate. Like, "Hey, I thought we had an understanding here? You're supposed to go rescue the prince, not start a bakery!" But, oh no, they have a mind of their own. It's like they come alive and decide to rewrite their own story.

Now, I get it. Some writers will tell you, "But that's the best part! When they surprise you!" And, yeah, sometimes it is. But other times? It's like wrangling a rebellious teenager. You've set this plot, you know where things are supposed to go, and here they are, veering off course, making friends with the antagonist, or deciding they'd rather be a poet than a warrior. And you're just sitting there, palms up, going, "Why? Just... why?"

But, in between all these emotions, there's this middle ground, right? This space where you're kind of negotiating with them. You're like, "Okay, fine. You don't want to be a warrior. How about a spy? You can still have fight scenes, and it'll be cool!" And sometimes, they'll nod and go along with it, and other times they're giving you that defiant stare, daring you to make them.

And then there's the part where they start to feel TOO real. Have you been there? Where you're so invested in them, they've become like family or friends, and then the story demands something challenging from them. Maybe they have to face their darkest fears, or maybe, just maybe, they don't make it to the end of the story. Ugh, those moments! It's heart-wrenching. I've been there, staring at my screen, tears streaming down, going, "I'm so sorry. I didn't want it to be this way." It sounds melodramatic, but if you've been there, you know exactly what I mean.

But, you know, amidst all these ups and downs, there's this beautiful thing that happens. These characters, they become a part of you. Whether they're the hero of your tale, the villain you love to hate, or that side character that everyone adores, they leave their mark. And isn't that the beauty of writing? It's this dance, this tango where sometimes you lead, sometimes they lead, but together, you create magic.

Let's not even get started on the external influences. Like when you've crafted this robust, independent character, and someone comes along, maybe a well-meaning friend or a beta reader, and they're like, "Oh, they remind me of XYZ from that famous book." And you're sitting there, gob smacked, thinking, "No, they're nothing like them!" It's maddening, but at the same time, it's also a little flattering, right? It means your character is relatable, memorable even.

And, oh, the times when you're out and about, maybe at a cafe or just people-watching in a park, and you see someone that is the spitting image of your character. Or they have that one mannerism that's just so THEM. It's surreal. It's like your brainchild, this figment of your imagination, has taken form in the real world. It's moments like these that make the entire tumultuous journey worth it.

At the end of the day, character creation, it's a wild ride. It's passionate, it's frustrating, it's heartwarming, and sometimes, it's heartbreaking. But that's the essence of storytelling, isn't it? It's this beautiful mess of emotions, this chaos that somehow, someway, becomes a story that resonates, that moves people, that leaves a mark.

And, you know, even with all its challenges, I ... wouldn't trade it for the world. I mean, think about it. We have this incredible gift, this ability to create worlds and people from mere thoughts. It's like alchemy, but instead of turning lead into gold, we're turning ideas into tales that can touch souls.

Oh, and speaking of souls, don't get me started on the soul of a character. You know, that essence that makes them. Crafting that, getting to the heart of who they are, it's like peeling an onion. Layer by layer, you uncover their fears, their desires, their secrets. And sometimes, they're so close to our own that it's uncanny. Have you ever written a character and then taken a step back and gone, "Wow, that's... that's a little too close to home"? It's like therapy, but cheaper. And messier. And with more potential for plot twists.

But, of course, it's not always deep and soul-searching. Sometimes, it's just plain fun. Like when you're creating a character purely for the joy of it, with no grand plan in mind. They're the wild cards, the ones that pop up and bring a dash of unpredictability to your story. And sometimes, they end up stealing the show. I mean, who doesn't love an underdog, right?

Then there's the part where you've spent so much time with a character that you start seeing the world through their eyes. Ever done that? Walked through a busy street or sat in a quiet room and thought, "What would [character's name] make of this?" It's like having a constant companion, a voice in your head that offers a fresh perspective, a new lens to view the world. And, honestly, it's one of my favorite parts of the whole process. It's like traveling without leaving your chair.

And, hey, let's be real for a second. There are also those characters that we create and then wish we hadn't. The ones that, no matter how hard we try, just don't fit. They're like that jigsaw puzzle piece that you're convinced belongs, but no matter how you turn it, twist it, or force it, it just won't go. It's frustrating, but it's also a lesson. Not every character will find their place in the story, and that's okay. It doesn't make them any less valuable or any less real. Maybe they're just waiting for the right story to come along.

But, circling back to the love-hate tango, it's all a part of the journey, right? The highs, the lows, the in-betweens. It's a dance that we, as writers, are privileged to partake in. And though it might sometimes feel like a solo performance, it's anything but. Because with every character we create, with every story we weave, we're connecting with readers, with fellow writers, with the world.

So, my friend, here's to the dance, to the roller coaster, to the wild, wonderful world of character creation. May we always find the joy in it, the passion, and the magic. And when the going gets tough, when the characters rebel and the plot unravels, may we always remember why we started in the first place: for the love of the story. Cheers to that!