Page 19 - Reader's HouseMagazine - Issue 62

WISDOM FROM THE MASTERS
Make Your Characters
H uman Through
R elatability and Growth
To succeed as an author, focus on making your characters feel like real people. Heidi McLaughlin suggests grounding even the most “flashy” characters—like profession- al athletes or celebrities—in everyday life. When readers see a hero doing ordinary chores or facing common flaws, they be- come much easier to fall in love with.
Don’t wait for a perfect, complex plot to strike. If you find a small spark of inspira- tion, like a single image or a simple “what if” question, start writing immediately to see where it leads.
S eparate Your Ego from the S tory to Achieve Excellence
Readers connect with characters who are “gritty and damaged” but who continue to grow. Instead of creating a static hero, let your protagonist change over time. As Regan notes, your character should be a different person by the end of their journey (or series) than they were at the start.
A major lesson in professionalism is sep- arating your personal ego from the work. During editing, don’t ask if you like a scene; ask if it makes the book the best it can be. If a section doesn’t serve the overall story, you must be willing to cut it, no matter how much you enjoyed writing it.
– Lisa Regan
New York Times Bestselling Author
A masterful storyteller, Lisa Regan blends grip- ping suspense with raw emotion, creating crime thrillers that resonate with readers and keep them eagerly turning the pages.
Find the Modern H eart
in Every S tory Through
R esearch and Risk
Don’t just write a history lesson. Look for “parallels” between your setting and the present day. Whether you write historical fic- tion or sci-fi, your story will resonate more deeply if the characters face challenges, so- cietal shifts, or conflicts that feel urgent and relatable to a modern audience.
To create a compelling dynamic between leads, pair characters with fundamentally different worldviews—such as “Reason vs. Intuition.” When one character analyzes the world through logic and the other through gut feeling, it creates natural tension and allows both characters to learn and evolve through their partnership.
If you feel restricted by the tropes of your current genre, don’t be afraid to pivot. Shift- ing from one genre to another (like Romance to Mystery) can provide a “bigger canvas and a richer palette” to explore the complexities of human nature, such as the search for truth, justice, and the courage to face one’s fears.
– Andrea Penrose
New York Times Bestselling Author
Andrea Penrose masterfully combines historical
detail with captivating storytelling, creating un- forgettable characters that resonate with readers across generations.
If you are writing a series or a long novel, stay organized. Take detailed notes on your character arcs to ensure they are growing emotionally in every chapter. Finally, give your stories a heart by focusing on universal themes like forgiveness and second chanc- es. By combining relatable human struggles with disciplined note-taking, you can create a world that readers want to return to again
and again. – Heidi McLaughlin
New York Times Bestselling Author
Heidi McLaughlin masterfully weaves heartfelt stories filled with love, redemption, and relatable characters, captivating readers with her emotion-
al depth and authenticity.
Timeless Advice from Bestselling Authors
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