Before I started writing fiction, I had one life—mine. Now, I find myself living the lives of some of my characters, as well. I get into their heads and I imagine what their attitudes/stance/gestures would be in certain situations. I guess it’s a good thing I’m a Gemini who is accustomed to being a sort of dual personality, because when you have a lot of characters to keep track of, it can be confusing.
That’s why it’s so important to know your characters inside and out. Sure, you can jot down each character’s traits, characteristic, mannerisms, etc. on cards or a character log—and I do that. But it’s also important to feel them—to feel like they would feel so you are more apt to have them act or react in the way that’s appropriate for that particular character.
If you can get into your characters’ head, you probably won’t make the mistake of having the meek sister come across sounding like the wicked aunt or the brash neighbor speaking words that are more suited to the teenager.
When I edit fiction for other authors, often I catch some of the characters using the same terminology I see in the narration—the author has put too much of himself into the characters. It’s okay to ease yourself into your story, of course, but it can get confusing when a couple of the characters use the same terms and phrases as the author does in the narration, or when one character sounds too much like another.
It’s tough changing personalities with every bit of dialog. How does one define each character through description and dialog?
I’m sure each author has his/her own technique. I kind of jump in and out of each character as I write—and later as I edit. You could also use one editing session (I trust you will engage in many) to focus on one main character. Concentrate just on his or her dialog, etc. Then go through the manuscript again focusing on another key character. But if you can become that character as you portray them in various situations throughout your story, all the better.
As for an update from the pen of Patricia Fry and the Klepto Cat Mysteries…I expect the formatter to finish book 11 (PAWsitively Sinister) for Kindle this month. I just sent book 12 to the proofreader and I’ve been having fun developing the plot for book 13. Oh yes, and book 7, The Corral Cat Caper, should be in print later this month. Order your copies of the Klepto Cat Mysteries here: http://amzn.to/1kAI8I2.