Friday, November 2, 2012

Enchanted Ella: Got Character?

"Character is key in any book as much as it is in life" 
~ Enchanting Ella

  

When I pick up a book, character development is so important to me that if it’s slow in the beginning of the book I lose interest - fast.  Does this ring true for you?  I have however, found myself changing my opinion as a storyline changes and the character develops.
 
As in our regular lives, we all relate to someone for some reason.  When the book has a great storyline or character development it makes the reading experience that much more realistic.  

Take Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell for instance.  When Reid is first introduced to us, we all more than likely think he is going to be the tough, macho and obnoxiously over confident jerk who would play around with Lucie’s heart.  The author of this book has great character development (thanks Gina!) and he becomes something totally different than what we originally thought despite his damage.  If you haven’t read this book – you should what the heck are you waiting for? 




Great books are great for many reasons.  What is it that makes a good character for me?  I need the character to show believability.  Regardless of the fact that I read fiction, I still somehow want to believe that it’s possible this character truly exists.  Many books captured my attention despite the fact that the main character was such a jerk and acted, in my opinion, inappropriately.  In my real life, I wouldn’t have given certain characters the time of day much less any respect.  However, because the author did such an outstanding job in the character development, I was able to see past all the flaws and see the real person within the character.  In spite of their dark and damaged egos, I could still forgive them their indiscretions simply because the author made me understand why they were damaged.  This development somehow made it okay.  That fact right there is the skill of a great writer.

Who's your favorite author or character in a book? 



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6 comments:

  1. I love to read about characters/ hero's who know what they want from the first page. Whether it's to find a lost love, to make up for past mistakes, or just meeting for the first time. They meet, and as far as he's concerned he's done!! Then the fun starts when he tries to convince the heroine!! Sort of like Seducing Cinderella! Reid ( yummy) is trying to make her more attractive, and falls hard!!!
    Very interesting blog Ella, thanks!






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    1. I agree Pat! Reid really is Lucie's Fairy God Hero (?) lol! I love how hard he falls for her and how his character develops! Great writing is key.

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  2. Characters drive me to read - and I have been known to beg authors to write more about a character. Characters I love Cowboys - give me a cowboy and I will read it. I have also found I love military heroes too. Great topic

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Kame! I would love some suggestions on a great cowboy to read about. :)

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    2. Ella, Contemporary or Historical. For contemporary I really like McKettrick's Luck by Linda Lael Miller and I have read the whole Chance Ranch series by Vicki Lewis Thompson.

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    3. Gotcha - thank you for the suggestions! I love contemporary so I'll have to check those out.

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