Category Archives: characterization

Local Color: Colloquialisms

Posted on September 10, 2013 by SharonJoss

That’s right.  I collect ’em.  I don’t know how I got started, but they’re a great way to add voice and attitude to your characters or story.   I grew up in central California, a place ripe with quaint expressions.  Maybe … Continue reading →

Posted in characterization, culture, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Charting a Path from the Soul to the Page

Posted on January 13, 2013 by SharonJoss

I’m talking about internal character development and how a character’s outward behaviors and attitudes are influenced by the inner world the author creates for each character.  In her book, Getting Into Character, Brandilyn Collins suggests that character attitudes in the … Continue reading →

Posted in attitudes, authenticity, Brandilyn Collins, characterization, defining character from the inside out, emotions, Getting Into Character, personalization, traits, writing | Leave a comment

Deja Sex

Posted on June 16, 2012 by SharonJoss

I’m guessing I’m never going to write erotica or be a hot romance writer.  I’m not alone when I say that writing graphic sex scenes leaves me a bit, um, squishy inside (although oddly enough, I don’t have any problems … Continue reading →

Posted in characterization, erotica, horizontal bop, memories, romance, senses, sensory memories, sex scene, speculative fiction, urban fantasy | Leave a comment

Just One More Round…

Posted on April 14, 2012 by SharonJoss

Okay, okay, maybe I do have a little problem.  I finished the first major round of revisions on Glamour yesterday afternoon.  No sooner did I finish writing the final scene than I starting going back into the manuscript to twiddle … Continue reading →

Posted in beat sheet, characterization, continuity, Glamour, Larry Brooks, Pandora Swift, plot, revisions, urban fantasy | Leave a comment

Living the Dream(land)

Posted on March 10, 2012 by SharonJoss

I’m in the middle of my first round of major revisions for GLAMOUR, and I find myself living in my character’s head(s): inhabiting their houses, going to their bars, dining on their, um prey.  Only in my dreams, of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in beast, beat sheet, characterization, emotion, fiction, revisions | Leave a comment

The Importance of Starting in the Right Place

Posted on October 17, 2011 by SharonJoss

I admit it.  I’m starting over.  From the beginning.  After changing the POV in GLAMOUR from first person to third person, the story was still dull, and I realized I was starting in the wrong place.  And by starting in the wrong … Continue reading →

Posted in characterization, hook, media res, query, story worthy problem | Leave a comment

Casting Call – Developing Character Voice & Motivation

Posted on September 25, 2011 by SharonJoss

One of the lessons I’ve learned about developing characters is to use interviews to develop characterization instead of  using a dossier of lifestyle questions.  Now I’m not saying that character dossiers aren’t perfectly valid ways to get to know your … Continue reading →

Posted in characterization, desires, frustrations, interviewing characters, motivation | Leave a comment