On Depth of Character by Donald Maass

by Sandra Gulland | Feb 2, 2011 | Adventures of a Writing Life, On Character Development, The Shadow Queen, Work in Process (WIP) | 1 comment

I find NY agent Donald Maass often instructive. I needed this observation today:

So how can we ensure that our characters are as passionately engaged on the page as they are in our minds?  The easiest way to excavate their passions is to develop — and put on display — their opinions.

 

How does your protagonist feel about grunge boots?  Puccini?  Porcini mushrooms?  Hegel’s idea of a civil society?  The future of aviation?  Texting while walking?  It’s interesting to learn such opinions, isn’t it?

 

That’s my point.  Characters who are engaged — who care about things, small and big — in turn engage us.

(via Writer Unboxed » Blog Archive » Depth of Character)

I tend to hold back too much in my writing. It’s time I let Claude have her say.