If my two most recent posts about character development have sounded a tad cranky, it's because I'm annoyed with authors who, instead of doing the hard work needed to create memorable characters, take the easy way out by using shortcuts and stereotypes. What bothers me most is that I continually encounter character archtypes who exist far more frequently in fiction than they do in real life - young women successfully running their own businesses, very attractive people who always seem to be "between relationships", otherwise smart people taking really stupid risks - you get the idea.
However, in trying to avoid creating characters who are too attractive, talented and rich, authors must also take care to avoid falling into the pitfall at the opposite end of the spectrum - the character who is flawed, but in a way that is either adorable or that easily evokes the reader's sympathy. In this category you will find the perfectly proportioned plus-sized diva with the sizzling sex life, the struggling artist who manages to express her unique sense of style through the purchases she makes at the Salvation Army thrift shop, the private eye who suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder or Tourette's Syndrome, and the police officer who valiantly continues to fight crime, even in spite of the injury in the line of duty that has left him a) blind; b) a quadriplegic who travels around town in a motorized wheelchair and a specially equipped van; c) deaf; or d) struggling with amnesia.
Therefore, for those of you writing mysteries who are guilty of what I've described in the above paragraphs, I challenge you to incorporate into your next novel one or more of the following potential character types who actually exist in very large numbers out in the real world. Yes, you will have to work harder to develop your characters' motivations and inner lives but the paradox will be that, by writing about more prosaic characters, you will have a novel that is more likely to stand out from the crowd.
Female heroine: a) a nurse who works the 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM shift at a suburban same day surgery facility; b) language arts teacher at a suburban middle school; c) assistant manager at Target; d) underemployed liberal arts major working as a downtown hotel desk clerk. Her hair color should be a) brown. Her favorite item of clothing is her a) New Balance sneakers; b)pair of Liz Claiborne jeans she picked up on sale at Macy's; c) red turtleneck sweater she got from the Land's End catalogue; d) small backpack found on the sale table at Kohl's that she uses as a pocketbook. She should be 36.8 years of age (the median age for the United States, according to the 2010 census.) In addition, she should have given up on trying to lose the last ten pounds of the pregnancy weight that she put on with her second child, now age 5.
Male hero who works in law enforcement - I will concede that it's useful in the typical crime novel to have at least one main character who is employed in some aspect of law enforcement. However, to be more realistic, this character should have at least three and preferably more of the following traits: a) a receding hairline; b) a weight problem evidenced by a slight but definitely perceptible roll of fat in the upper abdominal region; c) body odor that is not a sexy turn on; d) nose hair; or e) an occasional problem with flatulence. He should be 41 years of age, recently passed over for a promotion, but still more or less happily married to a wife who loves him in spite of his imperfections and shortcomings. The only six pack he should have is the Budweiser in his refrigerator. When lounging around at home, our hero should favor a moderately stained sweatshirt from the local state university and a pair of ancient grey sweat pants with a slight hole in the crotch.
The female villain- The preferred female villain may be employed in any of the same locations as the female protagonist. Additionally, she might also be a) a cashier at the local supermarket; b) a customer service rep.; c) a floor clerk at a mall store; or d) administrative secretary in a small office. She should be 5 to 10 pounds above her ideal weight, unbotoxed, have chin length brown hair that is starting to go gray, and shop at the same department stores as the heroine. She should also have had a normal childhood and be 46 years of age.
The male villain- In looks and temperment, the male villain should actually share many of the same traits as the hero and wear similar clothing. His job should be one of the following: a) UPS driver; b) high school math teacher; c) bank vice president; d) carpenter. He occupies himself in his spare time by a) playing bass guitar; b) watching sports on TV; c) hanging out with his buddies at the local bar; or d) working on his car. His neighbors should be able to identify him as the guy who always helped them shovel out their cars after the big snowstorm but who otherwise kept to himself, just like in real life.
If you've gotten this far, you may already be saying that mysteries with such characters already exist. If so, what are they? Based on my admittedly limited experience, I'm guessing that they are in the minority.
BTW, wishing everyone a Happy Easter and/or Passover and also reminding everyone that April 26 is National Hug a Friend Day.
