How did you approach creating the world of The Torch: Rising Darkness? What were some key inspirations or influences?

It was really a combination of a lot of different factors. In its earliest stages, Rising Darkness was inspired by other books I’d read and movies I’d seen, such as Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, just to name a few. From there, my own characters were birthed, and slowly, my own story began to form. Where originally there would be pieces directly taken from the stories I loved there formed my own, unique world, and gradually, the story took form.

Can you discuss any specific cultural or historical references woven into the world-building of the novel?

I made a point to be as ambiguous with the locations as possible, but, given the primary settings, I was influenced by large cities such as New York and technologically advanced metropolitan regions such as Tokyo. For the more rural locations, I drew from my home in the Pacific Northwest with some influences of the green landscapes of Western Europe.

The Torch blends elements of fantasy and science fiction. What challenges did you face in merging these genres, and how do you think it enhances the storytelling experience?

I would say the biggest challenge in blending these two genres was finding a balance. I never wanted this story to be mostly sci-fi with a bit of fantasy or mostly fantasy with a bit of sci-fi. Chiefly, I wanted it to be a character-driven story. Finding that balance was most difficult, as well as world building. There are really an infinite amount of possibilities any storyteller faces when world-building, and with a story that is both sci-fi and fantasy, the plethora of options only grows. And I do think it enhances the storytelling experience. With a genre-fusion, one is not bound by the restraints of a strictly fantasy story or strictly sci-fi story, so there is freedom for me as a writer and a sense of adventure and “what’s going to happen next” mindset for readers.

Were there any particular authors or works that inspired you to explore this genre fusion?

I wouldn’t say that any one author implemented such a genre fusion as I did, but there were authors from several different genres that I gathered inspiration from such as Tolkien, Lewis, the films of George Lucas, and many others.

Let’s talk about the protagonist of The Torch. What were your main objectives in crafting their character arc, and how did they evolve throughout the story?

With The Torch as a series, my intent was to create, one overarching narrative to explore each main character’s individual arcs, With Lazerus, as we meet him in Rising Darkness, he starts out as a young man, excited and eager to join the world he has grown up watching his late parents and close friends be a part of. He has a fairly traumatic past and is innocently clueless about a lot of what’s going on when we first meet him. The slow realization and sort of disillusionment, and with it, the maturity was what I strove to accomplish in this book.

Are there any secondary characters in the novel that you found particularly intriguing or challenging to write?

I particularly enjoyed writing the main antagonist and the king. They play big parts in the story, and their points of view are much larger and more knowledgeable than those of the young protagonists. They deal with heavier and more serious situations and even interact face to face. Both of them were very enjoyable to write.

The title, The Torch: Rising Darkness, suggests themes of light and shadow. Can you elaborate on the significance of these themes within the narrative?

Good and evil, and by extension, light and darkness play a very significant role in the story. There are very plainly defined forces of both sides, and I give detailed looks into both, particularly the people involved and the choices they make, the reasons for those choices, etc. It is my hope that readers will notice this and discern such themes in our world today and more than anything, be aware of what they are and the importance of making the right decisions.

Are there any other thematic elements or symbols in the book that you would like readers to pay attention to?

Pay attention to the torch itself. Given the title, it’s important. It plays a very minor role in this first book, but I am curious how people will take its small but nevertheless important appearances and how they think it will come into play in later books. And for other symbols, I think part of the fun is letting readers draw them out for themselves—we all read in ways unique to us, and what we see and draw from a story will be totally different than the next person.

The Torch delves into complex societal and political issues. How do these themes intersect with the plot, and what messages or commentary do you hope readers take away from the novel?

The story is told from multiple points of view, several of which are involved in politics—a king and his guard, are the main two. With these narrative stances I hope to highlight the differences in experience of a king and, say, a regular kid like the main protagonists. There is typically a divide in our society between these sorts of people, but in Rising Darkness, the king goes against the common narrative and interacts with “common” people as an equal, attempting to bridge such a societal gap.

War is also a chief focus in the story, and I examine it from many sides, ultimately showing how it is a lose-lose situation—always. It is complicated in our society, and it is complicated in the story. A big part of the narrative is how all these different characters from all these different walks of life deal with it and how it impacts them all uniquely and individually.

Did you draw inspiration from any real-world events or ideologies when exploring these themes?

I think I touched on this in the previous question, but the main ideological and societal discussions I drew from real-life experiences would be the dichotomy between those in power and everyday citizens, and the effects of war on the individual.

Without giving away spoilers, were there any plot twists or surprises in The Torch that you particularly enjoyed crafting? How do you balance foreshadowing with keeping readers guessing?

I won’t give away any plot twists here, otherwise they wouldn’t be plot twists. What I will say is this: I explore supernatural and spiritual elements in the story, but they often come up in unexpected ways through unexpected vessels. I am curious to see what readers think of them. And with foreshadowing, I tend to be very subtle, and when I use it, cryptic—so, providing enough to tip of a reader of something to come, while being completely ambiguous about what such a thing is.

How do you think these unexpected turns contribute to the overall impact of the story?

I think they contribute quite a bit. If someone read a story where they knew and expected everything that happened, what kind of story would that be? Our lives are the same way. With unexpected twists and circumstances and even more broadly, the unknown in general, I hope to craft a realistic and engaging story.

Have you had the opportunity to interact with readers since the release of The Torch: Rising Darkness? What have their reactions been like, and have any interpretations surprised you?

As it is still a relatively new and unknown book, I have not interacted with too many readers. However, the few that I have generally asked me when I am writing the next one and are eager to see what happens after where Rising Darkness leaves off.

Are there any common questions or discussions that arise from reader feedback?

Most often people discuss the characters. They are a wide, diverse group, so the specifics of the discussion vary from reader to reader.

Can you share some insights into your writing process for The Torch? Do you have any specific rituals or routines that help you stay focused?

I don’t have some special, magical writing process that always gets me going or makes the words flow magically from my brain onto the page. I typically plan out (the bare bones, key events) of the story and of the scenes I plan to write, and once I have that down, I can typically write each scene in order. Sometimes I let myself go along with the flow and see where it takes me, other times I stare at my computer screen for an hour with no words written. Though, one constant “ritual,” I suppose, would be having a warm drink, usually tea, while I write, as well as listening to soundtracks that fit the mood of whatever scene I’m writing.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are looking to embark on their own writing journey?

Just write it. Sitting down and committing is the hardest part, but once you make that leap, more often than not, you find yourself on the ground running, eager to write more each time.

Can readers expect more books set in the world of The Torch: Rising Darkness? What can you tease about future installments or spin-offs?

Readers can certainly expect more installments, perhaps even revisions. All I can say is that with each installment, the characters will find out more, the story will get bigger, the stakes higher, and the emotion, hopefully, more rife and raw as the characters truly take form.

Are there any storylines or characters from the first book that you’re particularly excited to explore further?

The main protagonist, Lazerus, has a very intriguing storyline ahead of him, as does the king. Those two, I am particularly eager for readers to see.

What do you hope readers ultimately take away from their experience with The Torch: Rising Darkness?

In all honesty, there is not one thing I hope readers take away from this story. But, it is my hope that they take away something—whether an attachment to a specific character that makes them feel seen or validated in some way, a certain experience they may feel no one understands, and at the very least, enjoyment—the satisfaction we all get from escaping into a story for a while. Whatever it is, I am simply grateful that someone has taken the time to read my story.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about the book or your writing journey that we haven’t covered yet?

I hope everyone enjoys this story and is eager for the future installments!

Find the Author

Linkedin

Facebook

Instagram

The Torch: Rising Darkness

“He wanted more power, and more control. When I was with him, that seemed to be his main goal.”

“What other power was there?”

“Oh, more than you could ever know.”

Bertrand Coruscare’s first novel, Rising Darkness, is the beginning of the epic The Torch series. Lover of the mysterious, the heroic, and the refined, he fills his days with dark stories, warm drinks, and a touch of sarcasm.

Bertrand resides in the Pacific Northwest, where he is pursuing a degree in English. He often wanders the ancient forests of imagination, guided by ambition, that azure flame.

Purchase The Torch

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

The post An Interview with Bertrand Coruscare, the Dark Fantasy Rising Darkness appeared first on Book Chat Radio | Author Podcast Radio | Author Interviews.

Introduce yourself and tell me about what you do.

My name is Anneke Barnard. I’m 23 years old, turning 24 in June. I have three brothers, an older brother who is 25, a younger brother who is 22, and a twin brother. I’ve lived in Portland, Maine my whole life, attended Portland High School and graduated in 2017. Then I attended the University of Southern Maine and graduated in 2021 with a bachelor’s in English and as a certified teacher for grades 7-12th. Currently, I am working at my old high school as a dedicated sub. Though I love working with students, my true passion is writing and telling stories.

Tell me more about your journey as an author, including the writing processes.

My journey as a writer began when I was young. I was creating characters and stories as young as eight but it wasn’t until high school that I thought about doing it for a living. When I started, I didn’t complete numerous books. But I finally finished my first when I was a freshman in college, which I very quickly scrapped. However, though I did not end up pursuing that book it showed me that I do have the ability to finish one. In the summer of 2020 when we were all stuck in quarantine, I started my next book which ended up becoming the book I am promoting now: Heaven’s Ghosts. I finished the first draft that summer. But because my final year of college was coming up and I was making that final push to graduate, I did not get to spend a ton of time editing it until the following summer. I decided to self publish because I wanted to retain the rights to my book and have more control and say over the final product. However, I realized I did not love the marketing process, mostly because it took away time from writing. So I decided I would go a different route for my next book which is how I found MindStir Media. My second book is a sequel to Heaven’s Ghosts, and after finding MindStir, I decided to do marketing for Heaven’s Ghosts before going through the process of publishing my next book.

My writing process starts with the spark of an idea which can be as simple as “a deaf boy who can hear the voices of spirits.” And if I really like a certain idea, then I start the process of developing that idea. When I start developing an idea into a novel the first thing I do is figure out the characters. Who are the people that are going to lead this story? To me, characters are the most important part of any story because they are what commands the attention of the audience. I’m an avid reader and whenever I read a book it is the characters that pull me in. So when I set out to write my own it’s characters that I focus on primarily. After I have a good sense of who the characters are, I move on to the plot of the story and try to map out the main events of the story. When I am writing a mystery I have to map out both the crime that was committed. This means figuring out the who, what, when, where, and why of the crime, while also mapping out the investigation the characters conduct. I have to plant red herrings and clues without making the ending too obvious. Also, with this specific book I had to figure out the roles of the spirits and the rules of the paranormal world and Sam’s abilities. If Kip had remembered who killed him, there would have been no story so I had to figure out why he would not remember. Eventually, no matter what I’m writing, it gets to a point where I can’t plan anymore and I just have to start writing. I find that once I start writing there are things that come up that I never planned to have but from the process of finally writing the story they pop up and ultimately make the story better and more complete. When I start writing I usually hand write the first draft. I do this for a couple reasons. One, there is something about the act of putting pen on paper that helps my mind focus on the task at hand. Two, when I go to type up what I’ve written I find myself editing at the same time and it’s easier for me to catch holes in the plot. For example, sometimes I might have a backstory for a side character but it changes as I start writing so what I write about them in the first chapter might contradict what I write in the last, and if I hand write the first draft I can catch and fix this error much easier.

Tell me about your book.

Heaven’s Ghosts is the first in a series of books that center around tween and teen characters who solve mysteries in their small town Heaven, Maine (think Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Scooby Doo). In Heaven’s Ghosts you are introduced to the characters who make up this group of sleuths. Sam, Cleo, Vi, Jasper, Kip, and Leo. What is unique about this group is that not all of them are alive. Kip and Leo are both spirits who communicate with the others through Sam. Sam is a deaf boy that can hear and see spirits. This book follows Sam and the others as they investigate Kip’s murder and in the process unravel a thirty-seven year old mystery. My goal with Heaven’s Ghosts was not only to write a mystery but also a coming of age book, so you have a group of kids solving mysteries but they are also figuring out who they are. Sam is the narrator and the main character. I decided to write from his perspective because he is the glue to the group. He is the one that connects the dead and the living since he’s the one that can communicate with the dead.

Find the author

Facebook

Twitter

Tiktok

Instagram

Heaven’s Ghosts

A young boy’s apparent accidental drowning, a mysterious drifter, the town recluse, a deaf boy who can hear the voices of spirits, and the mystery that connects them all.

Samson Roe comes from a family of fake psychics, his mother being the most recent perpetrator of the con. However, Sam has a secret that he has not revealed to anyone, he can speak with ghosts. The only problem is that Sam is deaf, so though he can hear the voices of the dead the living are silent to him. When a boy named Kip Green drowns in the picturesque town of Heaven, Maine nobody suspects anything sinister; that is until Kip makes a visit to Samson and reveals that he believes his death to be anything but an accident. Together they begin to investigate what really happened and in the process begin to unravel a thirty-seven year old mystery.

Purchase Heaven’s Ghosts

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

The post Interviewing Anneke Barnard and the Spectral Secrets of Heaven’s Ghosts appeared first on Book Chat Radio | Author Podcast Radio | Author Interviews.

Rhonda’s academic achievements, spanning from a doctoral program in business to an MBA and bachelor’s in science management, mirror her commitment to intellectual pursuits. Beyond her literary and academic accomplishments, Rhonda’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through her establishment of Intelligence Solutions, reflecting her dedication to training, development, and scholarly research. Join us as we explore her literary debut Crossroads, academic insights, and learn more about Rhonda herself.

How do you typically approach the writing process for a crime novel? Do you outline meticulously, or do you prefer a more organic approach?

When crafting a crime novel, my approach blends structure and spontaneity. I start with a preliminary outline, providing a roadmap for the plot. However, my process takes an organic turn as I probe into character development. Drawing inspiration from the medical community’s SOAP note, I meticulously detail characters’ mental and physical attributes. This structured approach allows me to define both subjective and objective elements. As the narrative unfolds, I adapt the initial outline, allowing the characters’ intricacies to shape the storyline dynamically. This fusion of planning and spontaneity ensures a compelling crime novel with characters that develop authentically and organically within the intricacies of the plot.

How do you create your characters, especially the protagonists and antagonists in your crime novels? Are they inspired by real people, fictional archetypes, or a combination of both?

In shaping characters, inspiration is drawn from a fusion of real people and fictional archetypes. The process is dynamic, often initiated with a broad idea that evolves through the intricacies of character development. Through research of personality types and characteristics and the use of a medical SOAP note and DSM-V analysis proves invaluable. The SOAP note, detailing subjective and objective traits, lends a comprehensive view of characters’ mental and physical characteristics. This structured approach provides a solid foundation for character depth. Additionally, employing DSM-V analysis allows for an understanding of psychological subtleties, enriching the characters’ complexity.

For instance, the protagonist may exhibit traits aligning with DSM-V criteria for resilience, shaped by real-life stories of individuals overcoming adversity. Conversely, the antagonist’s characteristics might reflect elements of personality disorders found in the DSM-V, adding layers to their motives and actions. By intertwining real-world inspirations with psychological analyses, my characters become multi-dimensional, contributing to the authenticity and depth of the crime novel’s narrative which makes the characters relatable to the reader.

What inspires your crime novels? Are there real-life events, personal experiences, or other authors that have influenced your work?

My crime novels draw inspiration from a variety of sources, reflecting life, news, community service, and a profound desire to prompt audience reflection. Real-life events and personal experiences weave into the narrative, grounding the stories in relatable emotions and situations.

In Crossroads, a pivotal theme explored is the raw emotions of anger, fury, and envy. These intense feelings shape the characters’ behavior, steering the path of the narrative. Exploring the psychological impact of these emotions adds a layer of authenticity, making the characters and their experiences resonate with readers on a visceral level.

The aim is not only to craft gripping crime stories but also to offer a lens through which readers can reflect on the complexities of human emotions and behaviors. This blend of personal resonance, societal awareness, and emotional exploration infuses my work with depth and relevance.

How do you keep the balance between surprising your readers and ensuring the plot remains believable?

Maintaining a delicate balance between surprising readers and ensuring plot believability is an art, closely tied to the interplay of characters’ behavior and the storyline. Here is how I navigate this balance:  The first tip is to understand the diverse types of surprises which are character-driven surprises, foreshadowing and setup, consistent internal logic, emotional resonance, and reader engagement.

Character-Driven Surprises: Surprises are most effective when rooted in authentic character motivations. By intricately understanding my characters, I can craft unexpected yet plausible actions that is supported with their established traits. This ensures that surprises feel organic, arising naturally from the characters’ personalities.

Foreshadowing and Setup: Building anticipation through subtle foreshadowing and careful setup is crucial. Dropping hints or clues, even subtly, allows surprises to be plausible in retrospect. It creates a sense of inevitability without compromising the shock value.

Consistent Internal Logic: The narrative must adhere to a consistent internal logic. While surprises can deviate from the expected, they should align with the established rules of the story world. This consistency maintains the reader’s trust and keeps the plot grounded.

Emotional Resonance: Surprises should evoke emotional responses. By intertwining the characters’ emotional arcs with the twists in the plot, I ensure that surprises have a profound impact, making them memorable and engaging for readers.

Reader Engagement: Regularly gauging reader engagement and feedback allows me to strike the right balance. It helps me understand when surprises are genuinely meeting the needs of the reader for a twist and when they might be stretching the bounds of credibility.

By aligning character development with the narrative arc, infusing surprises with emotional depth, and maintaining a consistent story logic, I aim to captivate readers with unexpected twists while keeping the overall plot firmly rooted in believability.

Settings play a crucial role in crime novels. How do you choose the settings for your stories, and how does the setting contribute to the overall atmosphere of your novels?

Choosing settings for my crime novels is a deliberate process, and in the case of my stories, Indianapolis was selected for its familiarity and multifaceted nature. Here is how the setting contributes to the overall atmosphere of my novels:

Familiarity and Authenticity: Selecting Indianapolis as a setting stem from personal knowledge, allowing me to infuse authenticity into the narrative. Familiarity with the city’s vibe, culture, history, and geography enables me to paint a vivid and accurate backdrop for the unfolding events. Indianapolis, with its rich history, becomes more than just a backdrop; it becomes a character. By incorporating elements of the city’s past, landmarks, and cultural nuances, I aim to immerse readers in an environment that adds depth to the story.

Ultimately, choosing a familiar setting allows me to guide readers through a city I know intimately, inviting them to experience its beauty, history, and challenges. In doing so, the setting becomes an integral part of the narrative, influencing the characters and enhancing the overall atmosphere of my crime novels.

Crime fiction is a diverse genre. Are there any trends or sub-genres within crime fiction that you find particularly interesting or challenging?

Crime fiction spans diverse sub-genres, presenting distinct challenges and evolving trends. True crime, marked by its demand for factual accuracy, poses unique hurdles in legal, emotional, and ethical realms. Navigating the intricacies of real cases requires a delicate balance between storytelling and respecting ongoing investigations. Trends include the popularity of psychological thrillers, domestic noir’s exploration of personal crimes, historical settings providing cultural depth, and the rise of tech-thrillers amid technological advancements. While these trends offer engaging possibilities, true crime’s commitment to accuracy and ethical considerations remains a distinctive challenge, demanding a flexible approach and profound respect for real-life events and individuals. This is why I prefer writing fiction because I can learn from true crime but explore the imagination.

I aspire to craft suspenseful narratives that transcend the conventional focus on violence, aiming to illuminate profound lessons born from adversity and resilience. Rather than relying solely on the shock value of intense situations, my writing seeks to explore the human capacity to overcome challenges, drawing inspiration from the strength individuals discover within themselves during trying times. By weaving tales that dive into the transformative power of resilience, my goal is to offer readers a suspenseful journey that not only captivates their imaginations but also leaves them reflecting on the enduring lessons that arise in the face of adversity.

How do you connect with your readers? Do you engage with them on social media, and if so, how has that interaction influenced your writing or storytelling?

Connecting with readers is a cherished aspect of my writing journey, and I employ a multifaceted approach to foster engagement. Social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok as well as Podcasts, serve as dynamic spaces for direct interactions. Through regular posts and engaging content, I create a virtual community where readers can share their thoughts, experiences, and enthusiasm for literature. Email newsletters provide a more individualized touch, offering behind-the-scenes insights and exclusive content, building a sense of connection beyond the pages of my books. In-person events like book signings further solidify this bond, allowing for face-to-face conversations and expressions of gratitude for their support.

The impact of reader interactions on social media has been transformative. Beyond serving as promotional tools, these platforms have become hubs for creative exchange. Direct feedback and discussions often inspire fresh ideas or alter perspectives, influencing my storytelling. The formation of a community where readers not only engage with my work but also connect with each other enhances the overall reading experience. Social media’s real-time interaction fosters accessibility, transparency, and a sense of shared enthusiasm, making it one of the most gratifying aspects of my writing journey.

What advice do you have for aspiring crime novelists who are looking to break into the genre? Are there lessons from your own journey that you wish someone had shared with you when you were starting out?

For aspiring crime novelists venturing into the genre, my advice is twofold: stay organized and commit to writing one page a day. Organization is key in the intricate world of crime fiction, where details matter. Create a system for tracking characters, timelines, and plot points to ensure continuity and coherence in your narrative. This not only streamlines the writing process but also aids in maintaining the suspense and complexity inherent in crime stories.

Additionally, the discipline of writing one page a day might seem modest, but it yields significant progress over time. Consistency is paramount in honing your craft. Set achievable daily writing goals to overcome the daunting task of completing an entire novel. This practice not only helps in managing the scope of your project but also cultivates a writing habit that can propel your creative journey forward. Looking back, this lesson of staying organized and maintaining a daily writing routine has been invaluable in navigating the challenges of crafting compelling crime narratives.

Find the author

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Crossroads

Paris Pennington, a lovely workaholic about to be confronted with adversity and chaos, with challenges leading her to restlessness, uncertainty, and questioning her life choices and her current path. The fabric of her life begins to be picked apart as people around her start dying. A crossroad leads her to make a change and promises to fulfill her dreams while an embattled personal war between past and present comes together, testing loyalty and the forces of envy that may prevent tomorrow from coming.

Recommended by: Golden Globe-Nominated American Actress and Author Mariel Hemingway: “Keeps readers engaged in not only Paris’s personal life, but also the world of murder, tragedy, death, and the hope for justice.” And Best Selling Author J.J. Hebert states, “Paris Pennington is a protagonist that you find yourself rooting for from start to finish, even as those close to her mysteriously fall.”

Purchase Crossroads

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

The post Interviewing Multitalented Crime Novelist Rhonda Parker Taylor appeared first on Book Chat Radio | Author Podcast Radio | Author Interviews.

While this is a natural part of the drafting process, it can also make for clunky storytelling if “incomplete” characters are in the final draft – showing readers that you were still learning about the character as you wrote the scenes. Of course, we want readers to get to know the characters over the course of the story, but as the author, you should have an excellent handle on who these characters are and how they behave. 

With this in mind, you can “test drive” your characters in different scenarios simply by writing scenes that you don’t actually include in your story. These kinds of writing exercises help you consider personalities in new ways, and serve to help you learn about your own characters – without having to share that process with eventual readers. 

Not all of these prompts/exercises are going to be right for every character, but the concept is. Even if your post-apocalyptic heroine doesn’t fit into, say, a prompt about a coffee shop, still consider how they might react in that type of situation. The point is to take your existing characters and play around with putting them in various scenes, conversations, frames of mind, and so on.

The more you can put your characters through these types of exercises, the more fleshed out they will become – and when you get back to the plot of your story, your characters will be that much more developed, detailed, and authentic. 

Try these out!

You and your main character go out to eat at their choice of restaurant. Where do you go? What do they order? What do you talk about? 

This prompt makes you consider your main character’s food choices (which are often an overlooked detail), and has you place them in a casual conversation without much conflict. 

Your main character invites you over for dinner and socializing. What is their home like? What’s hanging on the walls? What kind of furniture do they have? Does anyone else live there? What do they serve?

This is all about digging into your character’s living space. Not only are these details useful for your story, they also help you think about the more mundane aspects of the character’s life, including their everyday life at home. 

Your protagonist and antagonist both have to write a letter of introduction describing their interests, goals, and personalities. 

This prompt makes you think about your characters from their own points of view. How do they see themselves, and how would they describe themselves to others? 

Your protagonist and antagonist each write a letter about each other to a close friend or family member. 

How do your opposing characters view each other? How would they describe one another in confidence? 

Your main character’s responsibilities are done for the day, and they have the whole afternoon to relax. How do they spend their day?

This is a chance to consider your character’s interests, hobbies, and motivations for leisure. 

Your main character wants a website. How do they tackle this challenge? Do they have the ability to do it themselves? What kind of information do they include?

Not only does this provide some insight into your character’s technical/technological abilities, it’s also another way to look at how they see themselves and consider what kind of details they’re willing to share with the rest of the world. How would they like strangers to perceive them?

Two of your main characters are traveling in the rain and get a flat tire. How do they handle the situation?

This prompt puts your characters in an adverse, potentially stressful situation. How they treat one another, how they solve problems, and how they handle stress will tell you a lot about their personalities! 

Try these prompts for yourself, and come up with some of your own! The point is to think about your characters outside of the context of your story, and by doing so, get to know them better so you can tell a more vivid story! 

The post Exercises for Character Writing appeared first on Book Chat Radio | Author Podcast Radio | Author Interviews.