Character Development

Probably the single most important thing to develop in any story once the landscape is done are the characters.  I'm loving it, though at times I feel as though my characters are taking on a different life than what I had planned for them.  What I mean to say is that the way I originally imagined my character, even how I originally started to write them, isn't the way they are turning out to be.  I imagined my heroine to be very strong and knowledgeable about things a young lady oughtn't .  There is a certain conflict I'm feeling because while I want her to be strong and able, I also want her to be challenged by the hero intellectually and physically.  I've recently written a few chapters where I feel they have morphed into something quite different and I don't know if I should go with it or backtrack and write the passages again.  Perhaps the answer is to just get through the first draft and work from that.  


Thinking of this though a question begs to be answered.  How strong is too strong when it comes to female heroines?  I mean, don't we read these things for the fantasy of being saved by love and strength of one's true partner?  Doesn't that mean that one is stronger than the other, that one (usually the heroine) is to be saved by the other?  At what point does it become unattractive for this position to be occupied by the fairer sex?  


I for one am for strong female characters but there must be a balance.  Joss Whedon  is a perfect example of a writer who does just this.  His female leads are chronically strong; almost to the complete alienation of those around them.  Usually they are petite girl/women who are ultra feminine but kick ass (literally).  Check out Buffy The Vampire Slayer if you don't believe me.  But he's also about character development and more importantly how his complicated characters survive the jungle of human relationships.  This is the dance all fiction writers must learn and I find that I am on that page now.  


I hope I figure it all out and until then...wish me happy writing.  

Going forward

So I've finally been able to write the villain scene. It took me a while to find his voice and I'm still figuring things out but I've written several pages so far.  I've also furthered my lovers acquaintance and they are on their way to being partners and future lovers.  I hate to say it, but I procrastinated way too long on this.  I stopped looking at a blank screen and picked up a pen and just wrote.  Editing came easily and then before I knew it I was done.  I'm going to get through this first draft if it kills me.  I believe so much in this book and I know I can get published with it.  When that day comes I will be so proud, I think it will be my ultimate achievement outside of having children.  


Writing the villain.  Like most of my characters I didn't want him to be someone I'd figured out.  There are wells and oceans of depth in a good villain so there lies the challenge. I wanted him to be scary, really scary.  Sadistic even.  I think I've achieved some of that along with a healthy dose of madness.  


Another part I'm developing is the relationship between my two main characters. Yes, the passion and desire is already there.  But then, as a writer, I need to build more substantial parts of their relationship that can truly bind them.  Can they laugh together?  Can they trust each other and why?  Can they be themselves with one another?  All of these things I need to find a way to manifest as I go along.  Hot smoldering looks and passionate interludes can only take you so far.  I know as a reader I enjoy the cute moments as much if not more than the passion filled moments of a book.  The times when characters are laughing and getting emotionally close are just as important as physical closeness.  SO, right now that's the challenge.  I know I will of course tweak as I go along and the second draft will no doubt further put things into place, but for now it's a road untraveled.  


Happy reading!