Into the Fire

These are the ones that grab you. The ones you wish you knew personally. The ones that make you smile. The ones you understand. The ones who could be you with just a bit of a change here or there. The ones you cheer for and weep with. Captivating characters.

They take you through a story and won’t let go of you, even when you’re about to close your eyes for the night. You’re still thinking of them. Whether you’re reading about them or writing of them, they have become a part of you.

A friend of mine used to tease me as I was telling her about a character or two in one of my books. She called them my “friends”, said I was spending too much time with them. She was kidding. I think. Think of your favorite novels. Which character did you embrace or identify with or wish you had their savvy? C’mon, make believe or not, some of these “people” are “real”. You can picture them—if the cover hasn’t blown your image by creating them with a particular face. One reader of Hope Of Glory told me she caught herself praying for some of the characters! More than one reader of The Famous One has said how “real” the characters were and how well they felt they knew the protagonist by the book’s end. This is a writer’s dream, right?

I have favorite characters in all my novels. Don’t you? They surprise me with their personalities. One of my all time favorite characters is an 80 year old widow in my fifth novel titled Destination. She’s a spitfire, sharper than a tack, clever as all get out, and a prayer warrior prophet-type who has known suffering. I love her.

When I wrote The Famous One, I had to get inside the head of Joey Parr. He grew up totally different than I did, and he was, obviously, male which I’m not. I loved him, too.

There is a male protagonist in Kristen Heitzmann’s series Secrets, Unforgotten, and Echoes. His name is Lance, and he’s an amazing character. I could so relate to his passion for the Lord—and he is in no way typical. Man, what a great character.

I have grown to love the characters in Don Brown’s novels. They’re strong and devoted males and females with challenges and struggles and a desire to act honorably. Powerful characters.

Michael Hosea in Redeeming Love is a stunning character, willing to obey God at all costs—and it costs him plenty in the beginning.

I’m sure you have your favorites, too. Whether you wrote them or read about them, captivating characters make the novel experience worthwhile.

Father, you are the ultimate creator. You give the inspiration for my characters. I couldn’t write them without you. Thank you for them. Please continue to supply those captivating characters and the stories to go with them. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Please remember to pray for Kristy Dykes and her family.*

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