One of the things that’s most surprising about my total revision of Wound series, is how much I know about my characters by now, but how little I knew about them at the early stages. I think this is typical when you write a character-driven story. If you’re not letting them move the plot along and show who they are, then you’re not doing it right.

That’s not to say a good character profile is wasted effort and makes for arc-less characterization. It doesn’t, unless you stick to it. I have shied away from trying to flesh out my characters before they do anything, but at some point, you gotta write stuff down.

I’ve shown a few of the picrew images I use (I’ll be commissioning original artwork soon – you can send me recs on Instagram) but while I was revising the first chapter I realized so much about Bev has changed (or has been discovered) since that first moment.

For one thing, I finally know what color her Jeep is.

This seems like a little matter, like it’s inconsequential, but once I realized that she and Carol had similar tastes in cars (at least in color and power) that uncovered a connection between the two women that only enhances their abrasion and tension.

And I only discovered the car thing because I needed to start writing stuff down in a character profile. I’m so glad I waited until now to do it.

Picking out a birthday, or an occupation without actually seeing how they act and what their personality is like, seems like procrastinating (something I have a lot of experience in). But I had some definite continuity issues in the first go-around with Wound that I want to correct.

But it also meant I didn’t pick up on those connections (“oh, you like red cars too, I see”) that could have added depth and richness to the overall story. Connections between characters also increases the stakes when terrible things happen to them.

I’ve nearly finished episode 1. I’m taking my time at the starting gate with this revision (and I am restarting the Swamp Story series this month as well, so busy!). Check back every week or so to find out what I’ve uncovered next.

Thanks! – B.

*swish* (⊃｡•́‿•̀｡)⊃━⭑･ﾟﾟ･*:༅｡.｡༅:*ﾟ:*:✼✿