By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Do you feel your characters lack the vitality of bestselling writers? Are you willing to work hard to ensure your story is a success? Learn how to create characters that will live in your readers’ hearts and minds long after the last page of your story.
Today’s podcast on advanced characterization may be just what you’re looking for.
How do you approach characterization? Let’s share our knowledge. [reminder]How do you approach characterization? Let’s share our knowledge.[/reminder]
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her 
titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.
The Conversation
DiAnn, Thank you for the giggle with the two giraffes. I needed the laugh. My last year has been turbulent. I will spare all the details even though that is where I find my ideas for Characterization. From hospital trauma units to new endeavors with a homeschooling co-op, I’m bombarded with information from situations and personalities. I choose to soak up every facial expression, word, and reaction. This information becomes part of my database of character traits. It sounds morbid to watch a man get a tracheotomy or another writhe in pain as his leg is placed into traction in the trauma unit. (not much privacy in the trauma unit) The doctors’ move in sync to help the dying. There is structure among all that chaos. I take note of the equipment and machines.
I desire to be real with the characters of my novels. As I prayed for the patient I listened and watched the actions and reactions of doctors, nurses, sheriff, and family. I also watched my sister react as she lay on a cold metal table in the same trauma unit. (She was in a hit and run accident and had a fractured neck). It’s in the details I find my Characterization.
Cherrilynn, Thanks for your additions and reflection about today’s post. You are so right. We must keep our eyes and ears open to all that’s going on around us – there is true character.
DiAnn, I loved the recording on advanced characterization. Was this the first or have I missed out? I’d certainly like to receive a copy of your Advanced Characterization form. Looking forward to the Novelist Retreat at Blue Ridge. Hmm, a snicker escapes when I admit that some of my characters personalities are formed from behaviors of people I know. This is a subject I crave to master. Thank you!
Hi Loretta, this was my first podcast. Glad you enjoyed it – and I’ll email you the form.
See you soon!