Writers Writers CORNER Creating Characters

By Bev Young

Why do we write?

To entertain, record special events, explore the unknown, to educate.

There is real joy in giving free rein to our imagination. In writing a memoir, we already have a clear vision of the people connected with specific events. Writing fiction, however, challenges us to expand our imagination to create characters intended to bring our story to life. Assigning specific attributes/ traits to each character allows us to explore their complexity. Primarily, we think of characterisation in terms of physical attributes but creating imaginative personas reflecting your character’s behaviour, passion, talents, secrets and flaws is integral to your story’s success in presenting a ‘wellrounded’ character. Your aim is for authenticity, choosing the appropriate ‘voice’, habits and actions to match their personality.

You must ‘know’ your character before bringing them to life. Scribble a brief back story and give them a history. Where were they born? How old are they? Imagine what they might look like, their gait.

Don’t forget other senses, such as smell. Does your character have a particular odour? What does your character want? What motivates them? Do they have internal struggles that might prevent them from achieving their goals?

You are subtly trying to make your character larger than life while remembering to match the mannerisms, voice tone, attitude, emotions, behaviour and body language of the character you’ve created to fit the storyline.

The better you know your main characters, the richer your story will be. The challenge is to create feelings that resonate with the reader and allows them to identify with and empathise with the characters’ conflict or challenge.

To ‘live’, your character must ‘do’ something, ‘say’ something (not necessarily verbal), ‘think’ something, and ‘change’ something (elicit an outcome). You must demonstrate how your character evolves, either meeting or being defeated by the ‘conflict’. A convincing character is three-dimensional. Before writing each scene or chapter, think about what each character wants at that moment; are they in conflict with themselves or somebody else? In conflict with nature (such as in Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and The Sea), with the establishment (Police/ Authority), or with a higher power (Religion/Culture). Your character must be believable. The characters’ names should not be too similar or highly unusual. You may want to choose names that have special significance or meaning. Another aspect might relate to the ethnicity of your characters. In my recent debut novel, The Long Road into Hell, set in Argentina, I used names predominantly Spanish or Portuguese in origin to add

Marisol Hernandez and Daniel Mulvihill launch their first picture book, The Boy From The Sea. Marisol and Daniel’s story helps young children understand the magic of connection, and the sense of belonging that comes from family.

“Can I tell you a secret, though? I lost my family too, but I carry them in here. The ocean connects us all.”

The Boy From The Sea, penned by Bribie Island based authors Marisol Hernandez and Daniel Mulvihill and illustrated by Brisbane based Jennifer Horn, celebrates and empowers children’s understanding and acceptance of difference, demonstrating that even though we have our own identities, we can create family and belonging again.

Sophia protected Lazaro at school from kids who saw him as different. It was important to Mia and Alex that Lazaro and Sophia were not only kind but treated everyone they met as equal. “You love with your heart not with your eyes.”

Lazaro finds himself displaced in another country, with a new family, whilst healing his past trauma.

Inspired by her father’s story, Marisol, along with Daniel, share with children that love, and kindness can help heal and bring new beginnings.

authenticity. Everyone has a story to tell. You only need a little courage to bring your dream of writing to life. I cannot stress enough the need to research every aspect of your story and character.

For anyone interested, my book launch is at the Bribie Island Community Arts Centre on Friday, 23rd of June at 5.30 pm. Numbers are limited; an RSVP to confirm is necessary. Please email byo65257@ bigpond.net.au

All inquiries will receive a response.

Bev Young

Bribie residents are lucky to have wonderful facilities and many different classes on offer at Bribie U3A. (University of the Third Age) There is something for everyone, whatever your interest or ability, and of the 37 U3A’s throughout Queensland at the National Conference in Rockhampton in early May, it was clear that Bribie was one of the best in Australia.

Bribie U3A has about 2000 senior students attending 140 different weekly classes. The current Term 2 ends on June 23 with a holiday break before Term 3 starts on 10 July. There are vacancies in many of the continuing classes and most new classes. Existing and new members can enrol in any Term 3 classes with vacancies.

Enrolment days are June 12 to 16 and June 19 to 22 between 8;30am and 3 pm at the U3A Centre on First Avenue. The full range of daily classes is on the Term 3 timetable which can be

The Boy From The Sea is available for purchase from June 2023 from all online retailers.

RRP $19.95 (soft cover) and $26.95 (hard cover)

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Marisol Hernandez writes stories that reflect and represent the sacrifice, love, and strength it took for her parents to rebuild in a foreign country…for all the families who can now call Australia home. Marisol is passionate about telling stories that are meaningful to her culture and its traditions.

Daniel Mulvihill is a professional film, tv & literary writer/producer based in Southeast Queensland.

Daniel grew up in Toowoomba, QLD, where he studied his creative fine arts degree at USQ. Daniel has collaborated with many artists on socially and culturally poignant stories.

ABOUT THE

With a background in Architecture, Jennifer Horn draws on her love of travel, stories and adventure to create whimsical illustrations. She has also been a part of Art Department teams on several Brisbane-based films. Jen enjoys reading books over local community station Reading Radio and playing accordion in the eclectic and diverse ensemble Matt Hsu's Obscure Orchestra.

picked up at U3A, the Library and Visitor Centre and viewed in detail on www.u3abribie.org.au.

To become a financial member is just $10 a year by visiting U3A during office hours, plus term fees to enrol in classes with vacancies. Some new classes offered in Term 3 include Genealogy both Advanced and Family History, Understanding How Computers work, Protecting you Family Technology, Practical Philosophy, Poetry Writing workshops, basic Maths and English in daily life, Advanced Ukelele, Geography of Australia, the Australian Constitution and Australia in 12 Wars. Some other classes on offer every day of the week include Aussie Myths and Humour. Australian History, Microsoft Windows. around the States of Australia and Writing Children’s Stories. If you are thinking of doing something at U3A with your available time, but are worried about your capability, there are several classes in which beginners learn the basics with others from the start including Ukelele. Auslan, Bridge, Windows, and Genealogy

There are also many other daily classes in various Languages including French, Italian, Mandarin, Indonesian and Spanish, as well as various types of Arts and Crafts, Computer skills, Dancing, Exercise, making Music and Singing, various Ball and Board Games and different ways to exercise your mind and body...

If you can’t find at least one class at U3A that is right for you, you’re missing a great opportunity to meet new people and expand your interests

By: Al Finegan

explorers with money, honours, and parades.

European governments had agreed that a “new land” did not exist until their explorers had seen it and mapped it. It wasn’t “owned” until they established a presence, a colony, by their government agencies, backed by soldiers. These new lands were mostly conquered by violence and genocide. The human race was at the beginning of monumental changes that would impact the lives and cultures of millions of people, and in many cases their very existence.