Characters That Come Alive

When I sit down to write, it’s never just about the storm, the crime, or the mystery at hand, it’s about the people who get swept up in it. Characters are the heartbeat of my stories, and the way they grow and interact often ends up surprising me as much as it does anyone who reads them.

Growth Through Struggle

Take Emily Harper, for example. In my trilogy, she starts out as a lone investigator, guarded, determined, and used to standing on her own. But when she’s paired with Tom Bennett, sparks fly. Sometimes that means trust, sometimes tension, but always change. Watching those walls of hers slowly crack is just as exciting for me as it is to write the twists and turns around her.

And then there’s David Lynton. He’s not a character who shows his cards. His secrets and hidden motives aren’t just there for suspense, they force Emily and Tom to question everything. His development is all about layers, shadows, and hints. I love characters like him because they keep the story — and the reader — guessing.

The Power of Interactions

In Thundersnow, my upcoming novel, the storm itself is massive, but it’s really the people under its weight who drive the story. How does a small-town sheriff keep order when the world around her is freezing over? How does a priest wrestle with faith in the face of fear? And how do ordinary people reveal courage — or cruelty — when they’re cut off from the outside world?

Those interactions and the arguments, the alliances, even the silences — are where the story breathes. That’s where the real surprises happen.

Why It Sticks With Us

Sure, a good plot keeps you turning pages. But it’s the people who stay with you. Their flaws, their secrets, and their fragile connections are what make a story linger long after the last chapter.

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Final Thought: My characters constantly surprise me. Sometimes they make choices I didn’t plan, or reveal sides of themselves I didn’t expect. That’s the real magic of storytelling, when fictional people start to feel alive.

Stay tuned for more updates on Thundersnow and my trilogy. Let me know in the comments which types of characters you connect with most!

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