Category Archives: creating characters

How Do You REALLY Feel?

Posted on February 6, 2019 by Connie Stevens

We’ve all heard–and used–the expressions: Down deep in your heart…, my gut feeling…, her secret desire…, his hidden thoughts…, and one of my favorites: If I was to be truly honest… I’ve recently been working on some materials for a … Continue reading →

Posted in conflicting emotions, creating characters, family history, fictional characters, point of view, readers, Writing Deep POV | Leave a comment

CHARACTERS WHO PLAY HIDE AND SEEK

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Connie Stevens

Brainstorming a new story is always fun, especially when the characters jump off the page, shake my hand and introduce themselves, and then proceed to tell me their entire life history. After a couple of cups of coffee, I feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Brainstorming characters, creating characters, fictional characters, historical fiction, minor characters, Research for fiction, secondary characters, seeking, unexpected plot twists | Leave a comment

NEW AND OLD

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Connie Stevens

As excited as I am when a new book releases, I am every bit as excited when my publisher releases some of my previous books as a three-in-one repack. Okay, I’m just a little over-the-moon giddy! New: In October, the … Continue reading →

Posted in backdrop for characters, Brides of Georgia, conflicting emotions, creating characters, creating setting, fictional characters, Harbinger of Healing, historic details, historical fiction, New releases, north Georgia fiction, novella collection, Trail of Tears, War Between The States | Leave a comment

SECONDARY CHARACTERS–Who are they?

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Connie Stevens

When writers brainstorm a story, their focus is usually on the main characters—who are they, what are their goals and motivations, what makes them tick, where are they going, and how are they going to get there? But more often … Continue reading →

Posted in backdrop for characters, character photos, creating characters, creating setting, fictional characters, historical fiction, minor characters, names of fictional characters, point of view, secondary characters | Leave a comment

STORY TITLES FROM SCRIPTURE

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Connie Stevens

Writers are asked all the time where they get ideas for their stories, or how do we come up with names for our characters. The answers to those questions vary from one author to the next. One time a lady … Continue reading →

Posted in ACFW Author, creating characters, fictional characters, historical fiction, Hope's Dwelling Place, novella collection, Story titles | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sharing A Brain

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Connie Stevens

A number of years ago, I attended a writing workshop focused on injecting more emotion into the opening scene of a story. The leader of this workshop, DiAnn Mills, used an effective tool for teaching this writing skill—she tapped into … Continue reading →

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WRITING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Posted on November 10, 2014 by Connie Stevens

Being a writer often means working on my own timetable. I don’t punch a time clock and I don’t work “regular hours” like many who report to work at an office. But I put in as many—sometimes more—hours than someone … Continue reading →

Posted in creating characters, critique partners, fictional characters, Finding time to write, holiday planning, holidays, Not enough time, scheduling | 3 Comments

WHO IS THIS PERSON?

Posted on August 12, 2014 by Connie Stevens

Who hasn’t read a book and encountered a character that seemed familiar—as if you’ve met that person before. A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about finding images—vintage photographs—to represent the characters in my historical fiction. Those pictures help me … Continue reading →

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WILL YOU TELL MY STORY?

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Connie Stevens

One of the most frequently asked questions I hear is: “How do you come up with your characters?” My normal answer is “My characters have to speak to me before I can get to know them, and in order to … Continue reading →

Posted in ACFW Author, character photos, creating characters, fictional characters, historical fiction, Research for fiction, story board, writing tools | Leave a comment

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Posted on December 14, 2013 by Connie Stevens

One of the questions authors are asked (along with Where do you get your story ideas?) is How do you come up with the names for your characters? Naming my characters is part of getting to know them, and I … Continue reading →

Posted in ACFW Author, creating characters, fictional characters, historical fiction, names of fictional characters, pet names | Leave a comment