Comments on: Saturday Craft Series: Guestblogger, Susan Crandall!

By: susan crandall

susan crandall — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:46:23 +0000

It seems we’re all in accord here. We want characters we can relate to (flawed, yet strong). I think characters that care about other people work well — need to have them focus not only on themselves. I really appreciate all of your insights and responses. And I hope when you read my books, you’ll find just what you’re looking for in the characters.

By: susan crandall

susan crandall — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:39:58 +0000

Dina, I know what you mean. It’s finding that undefinable “something” that links reader to character. Sometimes if flows naturally, other times I really have to search for it.

By: Terri W.

Terri W. — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:11:39 +0000

As a reader I root for the main characters when they are well written and relate to what they are going through.

Thanks for posting and I really enjoyed it and your books are ones I would love to read!

By: Amy G.

Amy G. — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:22:08 +0000

When I’m reading a book, I tend to root for a character that I can relate to or that I just plain like. If I don’t really care for a character, then I don’t really see why I would want to root for them. Thanks for posting on here and your new book sounds like a book I would really enjoy reading :).

By: Brenda B. Hill

Brenda B. Hill — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 05:12:21 +0000

I love the constructive advise and you have given and what some of the other comments had to say. I will try to rememeber this as I go back over my book and see what I need to do to improve my book that I am still working on. I have not read any of your books that I can recall but I have added you to my tbl. Thanks for your comments and words of wisdom..

By: Donna S

Donna S — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 02:45:10 +0000

Hi Susan. Thanks for posting.

I have to be able to relate to the character in some way in order to really root for a character. Even if it is only something I wish I could do or be like or dream about.

By: debb

debb — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:24:33 +0000

I am a reader. What I love in a hero or heroine is the more real or true to life they are the more I find myself rooting for them.

By: Chelsea B.

Chelsea B. — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:30:21 +0000

Hmmmm….Its really hard to pinpoint EXACTLY what makes me root for a character, but if I can relate to them and understand the reasons why they do things, that definitely helps :-)

By: susan crandall

susan crandall — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:22:43 +0000

Oh, Julie! I just noticed you have an enormous guinea pig. We’re a guinea pig family too. Currently the only one in the ranks lives at my daughter’s house. She was enormous when she lived here with me (the pig, not my daughter ) The pig has slimmed down considerably since she moved out. I have a tendency to overfeed everything under my roof, including the people.

By: susan crandall

susan crandall — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:18:31 +0000

Donna,

I’ve spent a lot of time wondering why it is that some books do as you say, grab you from the first page, while others take a bit to get into. Can’t say I’ve discovered the secret yet … but I’ll keep studying!