The other day, someone was talking about a friend who made the most amazing baked desserts ever. While she was getting orgasmic about the brownies and the white-forest cake, I nearly mentioned someone I knew who was an equally good baker. Luckily, I caught myself just in time, because strictly speaking I don't know the person. She is a character from Hart Johnson's WiP, but I do know her better than several people I am friends with on Facebook.
"The secret to a compelling character is that they live on after you finish reading the book", someone said. I agree.
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A drabble is a story told in exactly 100 words.
I agree. The words MUST live on.
ReplyDeleteTall order -- out of the hundreds of books I've read, maybe a dozen characters are remembered.
ReplyDeleteHow many fictional characters I've loved over the years!
ReplyDeleteYes, that's how I gauge a good book as well.
ReplyDeleteCD
Rayna - I agree completely! When a character becomes that real, you know you've read a good book.
ReplyDelete"She is a character from Hart Johnson's WiP" I busted out laughing!
ReplyDeleteHaha, this is great. I've sadly become "friends" with so many of my favorite characters!! Love this!
ReplyDeleteI've felt that way about book characters, tool.
ReplyDelete@ Tabitha- and so often, they do.
ReplyDelete@ Will- you may remember a dozen characters, but I am sure you often have this sense of deja vous when you encounter a real person and realise you 'met' someone like them earlier in a book.
@ Debra- absolutely. And how many I disliked. And how many I disliked and then grew to like.
@ Clarissa- or at least one of the ways.
@ Margot- absolutely.
@ Holly- it is funny, isn't it? If she was a character from a published book, it may have been different, but an unpublished book?
@ Saumya- me too.
@ Carol- I guess all of us have. To some degree or the other.
@ Karen- she is a wonderful character, isn't she? Loved her in every one of the books.
Ha ha! THat's awesome! Truly the sign of a compelling character!
ReplyDeleteI have so become attached to characters in a book. I devour everything about them. Much like you would eat that cake!! Ha!
ReplyDeleteGreat story!!
Hugs
SueAnn
How cute! It's lovely when you almost regard characters as real people:)
ReplyDeleteNatasha! Thank you so much for singing Annie's praises! She is such a fun character to write. It's possible she is a little bit Tart, but her exuberance really was fueled much more by my lifetime best friend's personality.
ReplyDeleteAnd *that's* a realistic character!
ReplyDeleteSOunds like a very real character, they are my favorite!
ReplyDeleteLOL! That is so great--I love it~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteYes, they should be a friend and live on.
ReplyDeleteNow what is with all the food today? You guys are making me so hungry :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Won't Hart be thrilled!
ReplyDeleteNow that is a compelling character! I love it when a character is so vivid they seem real and stay with you a long time.
ReplyDeleteI's great when we truly connect with a character from a book . . . mmm you're making me hungry.
ReplyDeleteI love white forest cake!!! The Abu Dhabi Hilton has the best ever and I have't been able to eat one since without thinking of it. Do you think Hart's character can make me one?
ReplyDeleteWow, what a powerful testimony to Hart Johnson!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can read a completely plotless book and still enjoy it if the characters are good enough.
I've done the same thing! How a character is brought to life for us:-)
ReplyDeleteI agree! I love it when characters are memorable and live on in our memories our entire lifetimes.
ReplyDeleteI so do this! Places where I've set characters - I want to visit them!
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you on my blog dearie bones!
Jan Morrison
This is so funny. I've had that happen too, where a character becomes so powerful for me that I forget they are fictional. I want to tell people what they said or did. That yours was Hart's character is even better!!
ReplyDeleteB
I love this and you are so right!~
ReplyDeleteWe want more insight, more dramas with the characters that become part of our fictional family~ Pass the cake.... Your post was sweet! ;-D
@ PK Hrezo- it is, isn't it?
ReplyDelete@ SueAnn- I guess we all do. And grab a bite.
@ Alexandra- they are people, aren't they?
@ Hart- I knew Annie had to be based on someone- she is too real not to be real, if you know what I mean. But you do a great job of bringing her to life, so the credit is as much yours.
@ Elizabeth- absolutely.
@ Melissa- mine too.
@ Leigh- but then, it is Hart's baby! And we love her.
@ Jules- that's the idea.
@ Alex- she is.
@ Jane- they are the best ones.
@ Katheryn - it is amazing when that happens, isn't it?
@ Carolyn- I am sure she can. And boy, are you making me drool.
@ Victoria- absolutely.
@ Cinette- we are weird people, aren't we?
@ Fiona- sometimes I think of a world where we and our characters can live together. Then I realise we do have that universe- it is called imagination and memory.
@ Jan- the reverse happens for me. When I visit for a first time, a place I have read about, I feel like I am returning for the tenth time!
And thank you, my dear.
@ Barbara- I am glad I am not the only one (though I suspected I would not be). It must be even stronger for you since you are an actor.
@ Ellie- thank you. And grab as much of the cake as is left.