T. Renee Doty
asked
Hester Browne:
I really enjoy the characters in your books. They feel very layered and genuine. When writing, do your characters guide the plot or vice versa?
Hester Browne
Thank you! That's a very interesting question... I think it's a bit of both. When I start off, I usually need to have one big plot idea, a 'what would happen if...?' situation (what if... you had to update a finishing school for modern times? You were a wedding planner who didn't believe in love?), plus a central character with one big characteristic which basically guides her reactions, as in Melissa Romney Jones's sunny practicality, or Evie's passion for the past. It helps if the two ideas clash with each other - as when shy, messy Amy Wilde the gardener is unwillingly propelled into the spotlight when her boyfriend turns out to be a prince and suddenly everyone's looking at her chipped nails and split ends.
Once those two poles are in place, the action and the characters usually guide each other - if inspiration slows, I think, how would I react if...? or what's the worst thing that could happen now...? and the ideas spark off!
Once those two poles are in place, the action and the characters usually guide each other - if inspiration slows, I think, how would I react if...? or what's the worst thing that could happen now...? and the ideas spark off!
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more