I can’t tell you how many times I’ve talked about a book or even one of my manuscripts with someone, and their response is “Well, that’s not what I would do.” And my response is always, maybe with a little frustration, “Okay, but that IS what the character would do.” This difference might seem obvious, but it comes up very often. Because while you do have to stay true to the characters, you also have to pitch it in a way that readers can step outside of who they are, and get into who your character is. You have to give them the reasons to believe that yes, that really is what the character would do. The flip side to this is, of course, not letting a reaction stay in your book just because it’s what you would do, or even what you want, be it your character’s decision to have sex to the way they finally come to terms with something major. But for the sake of this post, we’ll ignore both that and focus just on putting the motivations in.
It’s not just a motivation to do something that I’m talking about either. This also includes a reaction to something, the speed of things, and all those other aspects that hinge on the realism of the book, even in the paranormal/fantasy. Just because you would blow up at the person who insults you doesn’t mean the character would. Just because you wouldn’t let someone use your head as a punching bag day after day doesn’t mean the character would. Just because it took you a year to truly love the person who is now your spouse doesn’t mean a character is incapable of falling, and knowing it, faster.
From the emotional part to their personal history to the parts of their personality that lead them to their reactions or desires, every bit of that, however subtly, has to be put into your book. As a reader, I want to understand, without being blatantly told “and this is why I let him hit me again,” why the character is behaving that way. And not just for the protagonist, but for the side characters and every other person in that story who has a role and impact. Because the important thing when writing any kind of situation is that the readers can understand why your character reacts the way they do.
This doesn’t even only apply to the bad stuff, but the good as well. From when the character makes that realization that they have to put themselves first in something, even if it hurts someone else, to telling everyone they can that the person they love loves them back… I want to get why they do it, and I want to know without a doubt that it really is their character. And when you get that in there, as a reader, I won’t say well this is how it should have been because it’s what I would do. I’ll believe it, because I’ll believe your character.
That's it until next time, and if you have any tips of your own how you make sure those motivations are in there, let me know!
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Kari is a querying YA writer and book blogger who currently works a day job with a radiologist group and lives in Dallas. She enjoys badgering her dog Toby, meandering around the internet, and reading lots and lots of books. Currently juggling three manuscripts, she’s dreaming for the day she can stay at home and write full time, preferably with a charming boy to cook and clean. You can find her at http://agoodaddiction.blogspot.com/.
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