When I first start a book (and, um, yep, I’m in a starting-a-book frame of mind), I don’t create a full-on character sketch for my hero, heroine, and my secondaries.  Some people do. They write pages and pages of information–and if that is your process, hey, more power to you!  I firmly believe each writer has to follow the method that works best for her/him.

For me, I like to think that I create a mini-sketch.  And when I start this sketch, I don’t begin with physical characteristics for my hero or heroine (those come a bit later).  Instead, I start with fears and weaknesses.

I begin with the heroine. What does she fear?  Everyone fears something.  When I start to figure out what she fears, then I start to get a handle on her.  Find the fear, then find the cause.  Often the “cause” will lead to my important background information about the character.  Ex.  A heroine who has four thick locks on her front door. She triple checks them before bedtime. Why?  When she was a teen, an intruder broke in and murdered her parents.  (Hey, I’d be triple checking the lock, too!)

Now, granted, fears don’t always have to be so dark.  It could be a simple fear of snakes or heights–I think these fears personalize characters.

Weaknesses personalize them, too.  Got an all-powerful shifter who rocks at kicking ass?  Well, he has to have a weakness. Doubt that it will be a physical one, but he needs an emotional weakness. Even Superman has a weakness, okay, two (cryptonite and Lois Lane).

Thinking about fears and weaknesses will often lead me to the full plot of my book.  It’s a nice, dotted-line path that  like to follow.

And since I’m talking about fears and weaknesses…do you have one you want to share?  🙂  Feel free!

I’m blogging today over at The Bradford Bunch–talking about Bad Boys and giving away an ARC of Everlasting Bad Boys.  So, if you didn’t win an ARC in my newsletter contest (and those ARCs have all been mailed, by the way), then hop over and leave me a comment for a chance to win.

In other news…I’m working on a new project now.  When I write a book, the beginning is always the most challenging part.  Often, I’ll have two or three false starts as I try to get a beginning that really works for me.  If the beginning doesn’t “feel” write, I’ll write an alternate introduction–and if that one doesn’t work, then I’ll write one more.  After that, I take a break from the story a bit and go back later and read each intro.  At that point, I pick the one that flows the best and go from there.

If you’re a writer, what’s the most challenging part of the story for you?

And if you’re a reader, what kind of beginning really grabs your interest?

If so, then I’d suggest you check out this article.  Interesting discussion about names that are sexy—and names that aren’t.

First, a bit about writing…

When I read a good book and I call my best friend to tell her about it, I usually begin the conversation by saying, “Oh, my God, you’ve got to read this book–the writer’s voice is so…”

Ah, the writer’s voice.  Such an important component in a book. I think a writer’s voice can really make or break a story.

When I first started writing seriously, I tried to write straight contemporary stories (think Silhouette Desire).  I figured this would be the best way for me to break into the publishing market.  (I’d read Desire for years–starting with Diana Palmer and Elizabeth Lowell.) So, when I wrote, I tried to fit into the mold that I thought would work for me.

Um, that didn’t work for me.

I wasn’t letting my real voice speak in those books. And, honestly, I feel like it took a while for me to find my voice (as it does many authors).  I wrote three more contemporary books before I decided–you know what?  It’s time for a change.  Then I started writing something completely different–and I let my characters do and say exactly what I wanted them to do.  My world–my voice.  🙂  I really found the joy in writing then, and I found my voice.

If you’re a writer, have you found yours?

* * *

And, this post is actually going to be a two parter…because I’ve been tagged by the lovely Lauren Dane.

So, on to part two:

The tagging…

The rules:

a. Link to the person who tagged you.
b. Post the rules on your blog.
c. Write six random things about yourself.
d. Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
e. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
f. Let your tagger know when your entry is up.

My random facts:

1. I’m trying to lose ten pounds and absolutely sucking at the process–because, well, I really like food.  🙂

2. I’m addicted to Sci-Fi Saturday nights.

3. This morning, I played in the rain with my son.  Nothing like the feel of raindrops on a hot day.

4. I’m so not 29, haven’t been in a few years–but my birthday cake still said “Happy 29th Birthday!” because my husband has finally learned what I like.

5. My mailman stole my recent copy of the Romantic Times. Either the mailman or my neighbor–come on, give it back!

6. If I had to choose between Superman and Clark Kent, well, I’d chose Clark Kent any day of the week.

I won’t tag any specific folks with this (I’m a rule breaker!!!) but if you’d like to share 6 random facts in the comments, I’d sure love to read ’em!

I had an absolutely wonderful time talking with the wonderful ladies from the bookclub at Michigan’s Paperbacks N’ Things on Saturday.  🙂  These lovely ladies had selected HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT as their bookclub selection for June.  We talked about Emily, Colin, bad boy Niol–and even some characters from WHEN HE WAS BAD (ah, Sullivan!).  Thank you, ladies, for giving me a great Saturday afternoon!

And if you happen to be in the Westland, MI, area, do stop by Paperbacks N’Things:

Paperbacks N’Things
Melissa Bliss, Owner
8044 N. Wayne Rd.
Westland, MI 48185

If I’m up that way in the future, you can bet I’ll be stopping by to visit Melissa and the ladies for a visit!