Episode 14: Deep Dive into Character Development: Pro Tips from Charlesbridge Editor Karen Boss
04/08/24 • 40 min
This episode features Karen Boss, an editor at Charlesbridge Publishing, as she discusses creating standout, realistic characters in publishing. Karen, holding an MA in children's literature and an MA in higher education administration, shares insights from her extensive publishing and editorial experience, alongside personal anecdotes from her travels. The discussion includes developing deep, flawed, and emotional characters, highlighting examples from upcoming books. Tips for making characters, including non-human ones, feel fully developed are shared, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, character agency, and unique character voices. The episode also addresses common issues with manuscripts, such as solving problems too easily or characters acting unnaturally. Karen suggests various exercises for character and dialogue development, underscoring the importance of practice, revision, and being open to character evolution.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
01:21 Karen's Travel Adventures
02:15 Unusual Characters in Literature
06:07 Character Development in Stories
07:41 Examples of Well-Developed Characters
19:45 Deep Dive into Character Development
20:31 Methods for Developing Characters
20:37 Off-the-Page Exercises for Character Development
22:11 The Importance of Voice in Character Development
23:04 The Role of Agency in Character Development
23:48 Common Pitfalls in Character Development
25:48 The Art of Crafting Authentic Dialogue
28:58 The Impact of Dialogue on Character Development
33:41 Practical Exercises for Dialogue Development
38:16 Final Thoughts on Character and Dialogue Development
Books Mentioned in This Episode:
La Mala Suerte Is Following Me by Ana Siqueira, Illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera
We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
This episode features Karen Boss, an editor at Charlesbridge Publishing, as she discusses creating standout, realistic characters in publishing. Karen, holding an MA in children's literature and an MA in higher education administration, shares insights from her extensive publishing and editorial experience, alongside personal anecdotes from her travels. The discussion includes developing deep, flawed, and emotional characters, highlighting examples from upcoming books. Tips for making characters, including non-human ones, feel fully developed are shared, emphasizing the importance of dialogue, character agency, and unique character voices. The episode also addresses common issues with manuscripts, such as solving problems too easily or characters acting unnaturally. Karen suggests various exercises for character and dialogue development, underscoring the importance of practice, revision, and being open to character evolution.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Background
01:21 Karen's Travel Adventures
02:15 Unusual Characters in Literature
06:07 Character Development in Stories
07:41 Examples of Well-Developed Characters
19:45 Deep Dive into Character Development
20:31 Methods for Developing Characters
20:37 Off-the-Page Exercises for Character Development
22:11 The Importance of Voice in Character Development
23:04 The Role of Agency in Character Development
23:48 Common Pitfalls in Character Development
25:48 The Art of Crafting Authentic Dialogue
28:58 The Impact of Dialogue on Character Development
33:41 Practical Exercises for Dialogue Development
38:16 Final Thoughts on Character and Dialogue Development
Books Mentioned in This Episode:
La Mala Suerte Is Following Me by Ana Siqueira, Illustrated by Carlos Vélez Aguilera
We Don't Eat Our Classmates by Ryan T. Higgins
Previous Episode
Episode 13: Marketing Before Writing: Mia Brody's Unique Path to Romance Writing Success
In this episode of the Way-Word Writer's Podcast, romance author Mia Brody shares her journey from marketing professional to bestselling author. Mia, known for her Courage County series, often incorporates characters with disabilities, chronic illnesses, or who are neurodivergent, drawing inspiration from her own experiences with muscular dystrophy and anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of pre-marketing strategies, such as analyzing Amazon's top 100 lists for effective cover designs, keywords, and tropes before writing her books. Mia discusses how adopting rapid release strategies and focusing on market demands have contributed significantly to her success. She highlights the importance of being part of genre-specific writing groups and the use of tools like Publisher's Rocket for keyword research. Mia also talks about the benefits of affiliate marketing, maintaining an engaging newsletter, and the relevance of assembling a supportive team to manage the demands of a growing author brand.
00:00 Welcome to the Wayward Writer's Podcast with Mia Brody
00:59 Discovering a Passion for Writing and the Catalyst for Success
02:33 Mastering Marketing Before Writing: A Unique Approach
04:02 Deep Dive into Marketing Strategies and Keyword Research
07:36 Navigating the World of Ads and Affiliate Marketing
08:41 Rapid Release Strategy and Building a Backlist
18:09 Building and Leveraging a Newsletter for Engagement
19:38 Balancing Writing, Marketing, and Life
21:59 The Importance of a Team and Future Plans
25:13 Exploring Keywords, Metadata, and Tropes for Success
Write to Market: Deliver a Book That Sells by Chris FoxRomancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes
Next Episode
Episode 15: How to Make Realistic Scenes with Street Drugs and Pharmaceuticals: THE GRIM READER by Miffie Seideman
In this episode of Way-Word Writers, co-hosts Heather Cashman and Nicki Jacobsmeyer introduce Miffie Seideman, a former newborn ICU pharmacist turned author, who combines her extensive knowledge of drugs with her passion for writing. Seideman shares insights from her novel, 'The Grim Reader: A Pharmacist's Guide to Putting Your Characters in Peril', which helps writers incorporate accurate pharmacological details into their work. She discusses the evolution of her book, the common drug myths in literature and film, and the importance of accuracy for realism in storytelling. Seideman also highlights the potential for pharmacology to enhance narratives in genres like science fiction and fantasy. Tips on researching and consulting professionals for drug-related scenes are provided alongside the impact correct representations can have on public perceptions of drugs. The discussion extends to ethical considerations in writing about drugs and the potential of Seideman's book as a resource for crafting realistic and engaging stories involving pharmacology.
00:00 Welcome to Way-word Writers: Introducing Miffy Seideman
01:35 The Genesis of 'The Grim Reader': Bridging Pharmacology and Fiction
03:00 Debunking Drug Myths in Fiction: A Pharmacist's Insight
12:30 Navigating the Ethical Minefield: Writing About Drugs Responsibly
22:11 Unlocking the Craft: Writing Realistic Drug Scenes
24:41 Future Editions: Expanding the Grim Reader
28:01 Advice for Aspiring Authors: Crafting Authentic Scenes
29:46 The Impact of Accurate Drug Portrayals in Literature
The Grim Reader: A Pharmacist's Guide to Putting Your Characters in Peril by Miffie Seideman
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