Getting into Character

IN THE NEWS: Burglar logs into MySpace on store computer. Read more HERE.

Hi, everyone! It's so good to be back from my bloggin break!
But I have to say I did have a very productive writing week. Yee-haw.(More on that Wednesday)

It took me a while to find my groove, though. Kind of weird as to why. I mean, I had my story. I had my characters. I had their Goal-Motivation-and Conflicts all in place. But something was still...off.

I wasn't completely feeling my characters.

So I did what I did the last time this happened to me: I went picture hunting. :)





It took me a while but this is my new HERO, Tom.
Believe it or not, it wasn't easy finding a man with dark hair and blue eyes, who had the right look.



Then I went searching for my HEROINE. I usually gravitate toward redheaded heroines (don't ask me why) but lately they've all been blond.









This is my HEROINE, Celia.


I now have quite a few shots of both of them. I find having pictures of my characters and then placing them out before me as I write really helps me see them more as "real" people.


Once I had them, my writing clicked so much better and I was even able to tighten up their motivations.

As a result, I had THE BEST writing week!!

I know that some writers conduct character 'interviews" to get to know their characters better. In fact, my critique partner has a great list she's posted HERE. I've personally never tried that. I even wonder if it would work for me. Right now, I'm all about the visual aspect.

Anyhew, it's a whole new word goal this week and I'm ready to kick some writing butt now that I'm into my characters.

How do you get to know your characters better?
Have you ever used pictures or character interviews?

Oh, what the heck. Here's one more picture of Tom.

Just because. :)