Admit it, within those pages we all thrive on the surprise. The dangers and secrets that are often at stake. And the possible down-the-road repercussions. So many things hang in the balance and we love every suspended minute of it, don’t we? While we’re rooting for our beloved characters and holding our breath to see if they will rise to the challenge or fall, we can handle crossroad moments like these. But in real life – our lives – do we welcome challenges with that same kind of faith, strength, and courage we hope and expect in our characters?

I imagine this question pops up all sorts of scenarios for each of you and varies heavily on the level of your adventurous spirit. The challenging moment that jumps first to my mind is last weekend’s backpacking trip with my hubby. And I’ll tell you right now, he’s the adventurous one of the two of us by far, so you can probably guess where I’m going with this. 😉 It was my first backpacking experience and we hiked 17 miles through the Paddy Creek Wilderness carrying 35-40 lbs on our backs.

It started out as pretty as any novel setting, towering pines and dogwood trees accompanied our trail with wildflowers at our feet and beautiful rock bluffs above our heads. I do believe time spent in the woods is never a waste, but when we lost our trail for over 3 hours that first day, we were met with an unexpected challenge that had me temporarily wishing I was reading rather than living the experience.

There came a point for me when the back pain, blistering feet, and dizzying noonday heat had me at my breaking point. I didn’t feel like pressing on, but I knew I couldn’t stop for long and catch my breath either. I discovered the point of no return was as emotionally taxing as it was physically. “If only’s” repeated themselves in my head over and over again like an annoying song. If only we hadn’t gotten lost. If only I hadn’t gotten my feet wet crossing the creek. If only my pants hadn’t ripped.

Needless to say, things were not going according to plan. But when do they ever, right? Reality and fiction definitely have this in common.

Little did I know at the time, the Lord was sending doses of lessons my way disguised as difficulties. Here are a few lessons I want to remember when I’m throwing my characters into great challenges of their own. Maybe you or your characters can relate too.  Love how the Lord uses real life moments to help us write fiction, don’t you?

[pullquote]Even the bleakest moments have their bright spots. It’s a beautiful mess we live in where the painful and pleasant blend, and the conflict can also bring peace.[/pullquote]

–AT THE POINT OF NO RETURN, YOU DISCOVER JUST HOW WEAK YOU REALLY ARE. For me, this sort of thing is easier to read in a book than to live it. How I would love to tell you I faced my recent challenge with unwavering resolve and courage, but I can’t. I survived to tell the tale, yes. 😉 That doesn’t mean I survived the difficult moments with flying colors. I complained. I cried. And I prayed a LOT! Thank the Lord for my hubby and our desired goal that day, which was to reach the spring-fed creek complete with a waterfall.

–YOU REALIZE THE NEED FOR YOUR SUPPORT TEAM. By the grace of God and my hubby, I survived that trip. My heroes were certainly with me. 😉 Do the characters in your story have someone to push them and encourage them onward? Or maybe it’s not a person, but perhaps an impending threat, a regretful memory, or even an animal that encourages your protagonist to take another step. Even if they’re walking alone, they’ll need something or someone to press on for. Give them plenty of motivation to reach their goal.

–YOU ALSO LEARN WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU. You discover what perseverance and endurance really look like up close. And just how rewarding it can be to reach your desired haven. That moment we finally made it to the waterfall on our hike, it was the sweetest, softest music to my ears.

–YOU MUST LEARN TO ADAPT.  YOU MUST LEARN HOW TO ACCEPT THE UNEXPECTED. Our favorite books certainly demand a lot of our characters at times, pushing them outside their comfort zones and challenging them through great difficulties and decisions.

[pullquote]

Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” Isaiah 35:3-4

[/pullquote]

We shouldn’t shy away from those moments in real life either. Despite my sore muscles, I wouldn’t have preferred to avoid the experience altogether. Sure, I would welcome a few less miles next time and no detour, but you get my point. 😉 Like it or not, conflict is often needed for the outcome to be truly rewarding. Yes, that includes difficult challenges. Even painful ones, perhaps. Our storybook worlds prove that.

But maybe, if we’re lucky, hopefully there will always be a waterfall to finally grace those last weary steps.

Never give up. You or your characters.

And try to not lose track of your trail. That will help. 😉

Has there ever been a “Point of No Return” for you, a challenging moment you’ll never forget and learned a life lesson from?

If you’re a writer, can you tell us about a defining moment your character memorably rose – or fell – to the challenge at hand?

Call it whatever you like. The Achilles’ heel. Superman’s Kryptonite. A Thorn in the flesh. Every character you write will need a weakness. Probably even more than one. Whether it’s the heroine or the villain, keep them human.

Here are 3 primary categories that weaknesses or infirmities naturally fall under – 3 questions to ask yourself. Be selective in which one(s) you decide to give your characters. They will inevitably shape the rest of your story.

Is it a Spiritual Problem?

Nothing rules a person – real or fictional – like their spiritual condition. A spiritual weakness is often rooted in some sin or another. Maybe your character is battling against lust or pride. Perhaps he’s struggling with unbelief or ruled by jealousy. Trust is a popular one. Bitterness is another. Think about your own spiritual weaknesses and how often they lead you into sin. In my personal opinion, a spiritual battle within a character is the deepest one. It honestly depicts our depravity and usually results in celebrating the victories we can win through Christ.

Is it a Mental Problem?

The thorn in the flesh may not always be visible. Your character may be fighting an emotional battle with the past. She may have been emotionally abused as a child and struggling with insecurities. There could be irrational paranoia in one carrying a deathly secret, a sudden memory loss that complicates their lives, or a dangerous thirst for revenge. Use the character’s inner conflict of emotions to govern their actions, good and bad.

Is it a Physical Problem?[pullquote]Introduce your readers to someone who is vulnerable and in need of something.[/pullquote]

This could include multiple, diverse complaints. For example, your character may not be a fast runner. A complicated flaw it is not, but you can be sure it will come into play if you write a scene where he’s being chased down an abandoned gravel road by a crazed bounty hunter. See how one flaw can steal the show? Or maybe a beloved character must face an illness or disability. Perhaps it’s poor eyesight, lack of education, a tendency to faint under pressure, or simply a reoccurring headache. Just get those wheels spinning!

Almost anything has the potential of adding layers to your story and intriguing your readers to ask questions. It can be a funny coincidence, a frightening predicament, or a humbling self-discovery. Strive to introduce your readers to someone who is vulnerable and in need of something.

Go one step further and ask yourself if this weakness is the character’s fault or not. Did they bring this upon themselves? For example, are they deliberately feeding the lust for someone or something they can’t have? Are they pridefully – and blindly – going against what someone told them to?

Or is their “thorn in the flesh” by accident? Did a surprising disease throw their life’s plan off course? Did they invite the problem in or were they just dealt a difficult hand? By answering these questions differently, you’ll discover endless possibilities. And don’t go for the first obvious flaw either. Give it some serious time. The underlying lesson of your entire story rests in this.

In the example of Paul, we read in 2 Corinthians 12: 7-9 that he was given a thorn in the flesh, “Lest I should be exalted above measure.” He then sought the Lord to remove it.

“He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Just as Paul learned from his thorn in the flesh, so can our characters and ultimately our readers as well.

We all have our flaws. The question is how will we – and our characters – handle them.

 

What is your character’s Achilles’ heel?  How has that shaped your story?

Has a thorn in your flesh taught you an important lesson?

Voices are constantly competing for attention within a writer.

I recently sat down to write in my book-in-progress and instantly found myself pulled in many different directions. As I fought the temptation to procrastinate, I turned on the soundtrack to Dances with Wolves and I tried to focus.

Today I’m trying to establish my main character, but I can’t seem to find her voice. Everyone else seems to be talking except her.

“You should be washing those dishes,” says my inner conscience – aka the guilty housewife. 😉

“I’m leaving for town now,” calls my husband after he kisses my forehead and heads out the door.

Why, even the main man of my story has plenty to say and is practically writing his own contribution, bordering on stealing the whole story for himself.

Everyone has something to say, except my lovely protagonist. Why can I see so many pieces of the puzzle and yet not see her clearly? It’s strange how you can miss someone you don’t even fully know yet.

Does this ever happen to you? Do your own ideas for a story hit you all at once or do they form together slowly, piece by piece like a puzzle? Don’t you get impatient and ever wish you could just have the complete story upfront? I know I do.

Here’s some guidelines I like to stick to as I wait on my character currently MIA. We must never forget there is always a lesson in the Lord’s timing. Maybe if you’re anything like me, these might help you too.

-Write While You Wait

I may not know her side of the story yet, but I have plenty of ideas for my other characters. Sometimes a detour must be taken. Write what’s in your head, free those thoughts, and maybe the rest will follow.

-Read Your Heart Out

This one is a classic remedy we can’t afford to take for granted. Since I’m writing historical fiction, it helps me to read historical accounts, diaries, newspapers, anything really that will spur the imagination. Looking through original photographs of the time period always helps too. For my particular genre, there is no such thing as too much research. It can only add informative layers to your plot and you might just discover a real person, story, or incident that inspires the idea you were lacking.

-Free Your Mind

I’ve got a drawer in my office where I store all my little sticky notes of random ideas and every time I open it up, I’m excited, inspired, and overwhelmed all at the same time. Occasionally, though, a break is needed. Turn on some music. Get some exercise. Grab a snack. Call a friend. Or take a nap. Your mind might need to rest a little. Stop over-thinking things and you might just be surprised how naturally your story comes together.

-Be Still Before God

We must never stop seeking the Lord’s direction and wisdom in our writing. He is sovereign over all things, including our clouded minds and our obstinate stories. Above all else, we must wait on Him.

For now, I will continue to pray and hope fervently, waiting on God to bring my invisible character out of hiding. I know she’s there somewhere and I can’t wait to meet her.

 

What about you? Are you struggling with an elusive character in your own story?

What is your secret to surviving writer’s block?