By Dorothy Winsor
Author Dorothy Winsor
My most recent book, Dragoncraft, came out this September and is based on a character named Addy, who appeared in my previous book, Glass Girl. Beta readers told me that every time he appeared, the page lit up. I wanted to write more about him. I suspect many writers create characters they want to write about again. That’s one way we get book series.
But, of course, an engaging character is not enough to sustain a book. In this situation, the challenge was creating an interesting plot that makes the most of what’s appealing in that character.
I found I needed to ask two questions: What vulnerabilities did Addy have that a plot could exploit? And what strengths did he bring that could, in turn, shape the plot?
I didn’t think up these questions ahead of time. I discovered them as I tried to write. It’s only in hindsight that I can see what I was doing.
What vulnerabilities could a plot exploit?
Addy’s vulnerabilities are part of his appeal. Despite our attraction to heroes, we often like vulnerable characters because we can empathize and easily identify with them.
Addy’s mother died and his father rejected him. His older brother, who is now the ruler, is the only person who has loved him his whole life. Also, he’s clumsy because he defied a dragon as a child and the dragon cursed him (just go with it). His clumsiness and history of being unloved leave him vulnerable both physically and emotionally. That vulnerability is something I could play on to generate plot.
What strengths does Addy bring that could shape the plot?
He’s nosy. And, he’s smart. These two qualities suit him to be a scholar or, as his brother prefers, a spy. Less admirably, but potentially good for plot, he lies easily and well.
He also has a dry sense of humor that’s appealing, and his clumsiness provides more opportunity for humor. Humor is something I have to be careful about. I like it and can get carried away, but in fiction as in life, humor undercuts tension.
What plot elements do Addy’s vulnerabilities and strengths suggest?
These strengths and weakness suggest opportunities for both internal and external conflict. Aha! Plot!
Addy’s love for his powerful brother is ripe for being exploited by the brother. I could and should amp any family conflict up.
And if Addy is snooping around, as his brother wants, that’s a perfect setup for learning things about other characters that could tear them apart.
Addy’s desire for love can cause a lot of pain and conflict. A character in both internal and external conflict is usually one we enjoy reading about.
I wound up writing about conflicting loyalties and how they work on a person who, for most of his life, has had no one to back him up. So, he has our sympathy. But he’s clever at what he does, so we respect him. I also let the character be his funny, clumsy, and unconventional self. The book was critiqued and well received by my Barrington Writers Workshop group. I hope other readers will enjoy it too.
This journey from idea to published book took about six years. Whew!
