Real People Behind Characters? By Constance Phillips
Since Fairyproof’s release
last week, I’ve been asked if any of the characters are based on real people. I can understand why someone would think that a writer would draw on the people
around them, but the real truth of the matter is that each individual character
carries traits of several people I know, and other traits of people I’ve only
just met.
For example, let me talk about my heroine Monique. Obviously, I’ve
never met someone who is really magical, or fairy, but I have met people who
are dynamic. I’ve encountered people who have tried to get me to see their
point of view with a wink and smile. In the beginning of the book, Monique is
in a desperate situation, using what she thinks, at the time, are her best
assets. To construct that character I had to think about the people I have
known or met that had that kind of confidence. I then gave Monique bits and
pieces from the handful of influences.
But sometime having those reference points isn’t enough for me. When I
get really stuck as to how a character is going to act in a given situation or
react to something that has happened to them, it’s usually because I don’t have
a clear picture in my mind. The solution to that problem is just what you might
think. I sit down with a stack of old magazines or start perusing stock
photography sites until the blurry image in my mind comes into focus.
I had this happen while writing Fairyproof
too. Early in the book, Keiran – Monique’s brother – appears to be colder than
his sister. More calculated too. Because I spent the first part of the book
writing him as guarded, I was having a hard time connecting with what was
underneath. I also knew if I didn’t figure out a way to do that, my reader
certainly would have trouble connecting too. It was only when I came up with
picture shown here that I was able to imagine what he was really like…what the
reader sees as the story develops.
So, while I may not have based any of the characters of any particular
person, each one is a conglomerate of the people I know and those I’ve met and
sprinkle in some images with my imagination.
Author Bio:
Constance Phillips lives in Ohio with her husband, two ready-to-leave-the-nest children, and four canine kids. Her perfect fantasy vacation would involve hunting Dracula across Europe with her daughter, who also digs that kind of stuff. When she's not writing about fairies, shifters, vamps, and guardian angels, she's working side-by-side with her husband in their hardwood flooring business.Constance is actively involved in her local Romance Writers of America chapter (MVRWA) and the Southeast Michigan chapter of the United States Pony Club. When not writing or enjoying the outdoors, she loves reality television or can be found at a Rick Springfield concert (just look for the pink Converse high tops).
Constance blogs regularly at www.constancephillips.com. You can also follow her on Twitter or friend her on Facebook.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CPhillips
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6470282.Constance_Phillips
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