LuÃs Portas Ibérico Nogueira
asked
Gerard Cappa:
In your books, Maknazpy, as well as all other characters, have a vibrant personality. How do you reach to such a structured character? Do you develop them based on real life acquaintances?
Gerard Cappa
Luis a chara,
I tend to start with a fairly loose plot structure and then populate it with the various characters. Without being too dogmatically political, I write with a general sense that the dominant narratives of the western world need to be challenged, and I invest most empathy with my characters drawn from the disenfranchised, disadvantaged and exploited.
I don't think any character is consciously based on a real acquaintance. As well as serving a plot purpose, I like my characters to display those small behavioural mannerisms that real people have.. I'm sure I do copy those mannerisms, either from real people or from other fictional characters, but I don't really know where they come from.
I think these small details help to give the character a better shape in my own mind and, depending on how the character then develops, I will bend my original plot to accommodate the character.
Having established how I expect the character to behave, I will then seek to have the character act dramatically 'out of character'. I am probably on about 50k words before I settle on the fate of each character, and that often requires my original plot to be re-jigged.
So, although my books are around the 110k word mark, I think I approach each character as if I was writing a short story, with an emphasis on their emotions, and how their circumstances in life determine their fate.
I tend to start with a fairly loose plot structure and then populate it with the various characters. Without being too dogmatically political, I write with a general sense that the dominant narratives of the western world need to be challenged, and I invest most empathy with my characters drawn from the disenfranchised, disadvantaged and exploited.
I don't think any character is consciously based on a real acquaintance. As well as serving a plot purpose, I like my characters to display those small behavioural mannerisms that real people have.. I'm sure I do copy those mannerisms, either from real people or from other fictional characters, but I don't really know where they come from.
I think these small details help to give the character a better shape in my own mind and, depending on how the character then develops, I will bend my original plot to accommodate the character.
Having established how I expect the character to behave, I will then seek to have the character act dramatically 'out of character'. I am probably on about 50k words before I settle on the fate of each character, and that often requires my original plot to be re-jigged.
So, although my books are around the 110k word mark, I think I approach each character as if I was writing a short story, with an emphasis on their emotions, and how their circumstances in life determine their fate.
More Answered Questions
Linda Rowland
asked
Gerard Cappa:
I am reading your latest and having trouble with the money. Will it be more clear as I read or am I supposed to know how much money and whose it was? Enjoy your books and want to get the most out of them. Maybe I am just not clear on money laundering, but how did the bad guy get hands on Vatican money?? Thank you.
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