This is a huge topic in developing character (religion plays a large role in how we perceive our universe and our actions in it), so this WIP Tip may only scratch the surface.
We’ve all used those character lists/questionnaires at some point, even if we haven’t written down responses, to get deeper into our characters. There’s always a question of what religion your character espouses, but get inside and figure out how their religion (or lack of) has shaped their life to this point.
Maybe your character was a heathen as a kid and grew to respect order. Maybe he was forced to endure religious order and now wants to rebel. These are muy simplistico, but you get the idea. Don’t throw this idea away if religion is never a part of your stories–you should at least know how your character interprets the world around them in a spiritual sense.
Get to it! Write!
{ 1 comment }
My current about-to-be-released novel, A Piece of My Heart, is set in Ireland. It’s interesting you talk about religion having a place in fiction, as the heroine in my story is a very traditional Irish countrywoman. While I’m not overly religious and don’t usually include any religious elements, I felt it was important for this story to include some of these elements as part of the heroine’s life to make the story more believable and to flesh out my character’s personality. I don’t write Christian romance, but in this instance I believe it made the story that much richer, as Catholicism is a huge part of traditional Irish culture.
Great blog. Keep up the good work!
Kemberlee
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