CREATING CHARACTERS AND SETTINGS

By Karen Cino

Going over the Verrazano Bridge, I lifted my head for a brief moment and caught the sunrise between the two apartment buildings, which stretched approximately five city blocks, capturing “old school” Coney Island, stirring up good memories. The memories are so good that I now found the setting for one of the scenes in my new book. {This was an unexpected surprise, screaming suspense in the making.}

With the hero and heroine in place {Of course with long-winded character sketches, I wouldn’t expect anything less from myself.}, I need to build conflict. I need a character that stands out, one who will rock the relationship between the main characters. “News Flash” you don’t have to look far.

Hollywood has never captivated me in the past, but over the course of the past few years, I found that you could build characters on their alter ego. {Thank you Charlie Sheen.} There’s a good, dark, evil and insane side to everyone.

Look at your neighbor, always happy, smiling, helping and just overall amazing. The kind of man you wish belonged to you. When he walks into the house and closes the door behind him, what really goes on? Think about it, create it. Come on. Everyone has an evil side. Some act on it, while others bury it away. An unexpected turn from Mr. Perfect to the man from hell will really rough it up. {Lifetime movies like: The Perfect Wife, The Perfect Husband and The Perfect Neighbor emphasize this perfectly.}

I think two of my favorite characters that I find were outstandingly created were “The Fonz” and “Monk.” Their complex character traits continue to stand out. They are the characters we want to develop. Different, stand alone and most importantly unforgettable characters. These are the type of characters we want to create, the ones that leave an everlasting impression. {One that’s talked about around the “Water Cooler.”}

Finding that character is a challenge, but one worth working on. In my book, Mystical Wonders, Angelo Esposito displays both sides of the coin. The loving husband/stepfather and the bloodsucking, conniving and manipulating man who was on a mission to steal and destroy.

Make your character different. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. The media has proven that. Give your characters an outrageous past and find that one thing in him that will complicate the situation. ♥

Karen Cino is an author, poet and former journalist. She’s been writing since she was 14-years old. She started her career writing poetry, short stories and articles for her high school newspaper and the Staten Island Register. After reading Jackie Collin’s LOVERS AND GAMBLERS, she knew she wanted to write women’s fiction; thereby, finding her niche. Her daily walks down the Staten Island boardwalk are what get her muse going. It clears her mind, helps her find realistic plot ideas and characters, and boosts her muse. She loves writing about local places that people can relate to. Karen is a single mom living in Staten Island, New York, with her two adult children, Michael and Nicole, and three cats. Visit Karen’s website at www.karencino.com. You can also find Karen on her blog, www.karencinobooks.blogspot.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/karencino.  To view the ROSES book trailer, visit Karen’s website at http://www.karencino.com/.