Wixumlee ain’t no “Mammy”

To me, characterization is more important than plot. With three protagonists I strive to make them not only different physically but also emphasize their cultural differences. Each one comes from a singular economic background which reflects her speech, manner of dress, education, facial...

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The ease and difficulty of first person POV

When I sat down to write my first book, A Shocking & Unnatural Incident, I planned to have each protagonist tell her story in the first person via alternating chapters. I didn’t do a very good job and a sympathetic editor offered this excellent advice: Pick one character and stick with...

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My characters have blemishes

My characters have flaws. They’re blemished. Defective. And interesting. No one is all good or all bad. Well, maybe Tess’ father Liam Riley is all bad. I don’t think I gave that man one redeeming feature. I was more generous with Abner Manning. He may treat Lucy as her brothers’...

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Make your characters miserable

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve learned as a writer is to make your characters suffer. If your protagonist’s life is as sweet as a peach, who cares? If no one steps on her toes, if she has no flaws, if conflict is mild and everyone gives in and makes up easily—who gives a flying...

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