I’m not entirely sure how interesting anyone finds this or the previous two posts about character development, but it’s one of those things I could go on and on about if pressed on the topic. In the first I touched on the oveall development of my characters and then delved a little into some of the main ones like Jen, Jim, and Gary. That and the second part, when I talked about some of the other women in the books, were originally meant to be a part of the author’s notes at the end of Crossroads but it was simply too much to incude in the printed books.
One of the most enjoyable aspects when talking to readers about the books is how they perceive or relate to the characters in their own mind. And I’ve been pleasantly surprised to hear how a seemingly minor character resonates with someone. It not only tells me I’ve done my job as the writer, it also brings more “real life” to the character, outside of my own mind and imagination.
Which is something I’d never thought of before until just now. I rather like that idea.
One of those characters is Billy.
Billy Davenport
Billy’s difficult background story actually came to me in a dream, believe it or not. It was one of those weird, one-off dreams, and had nothing to do with the story I was writing, but it stuck with me enough that I looked for a way to incorporate it into the book.
Of all the characters in the books, I think Billy was the one who underwent the most changes. From the kid in the dream, I decided to make him someone with an intellectual disability for some reason that I don’t recall now. However as I shared this with a friend, he pointed out a strong similarity to Tom Cullen in Stephen King’s The Stand. Or, as he put it, “You have this kid doing everything but spelling M-O-O-N!” ( If you haven’t read it, you should. )
And of course he was absolutely correct. So I made some changes to Billy’s demeanor, and I want to say I aged him some, but that still didn’t set right with me for some reason. Eventually he became the Billy that readers got to meet. Though his part in the story was only meant to be more minimal, Billy became an integral part of the story in ways that I never knew would happen until it did.
Anita and Harold Washington
The Washingtons were two characters that were introduced in Aftermath for a specific reason that wasn’t made readily apparent to the reader until Crossroads. To better explain what I mean, I have to veer off topic just a little bit.
When I was writing Aftermath, I knew it would end with the arrival of a government entity of some kind, and I had an interaction between Jim and Carter already forming in my head at that point. The problem was, it didn’t fit in the story and I wasn’t sure I had enough of a plot to get me to that confrontation in a third book. So I tabled that scene and finished the book in a somewhat ambiguous way. The reader could be left thinking it was a happy ending while I left myself a sort of “hidden door” to another story if I wanted to try. And Anita and Harold would… well, actually a family member, would play a part in that story. I made the the decision to introduce them in the second book though, perhaps to make the reader think they were simply minor players in the story when in fact they could later provide the catalyst for Jim and Carter’s exchange later on should it get written.
From the moment they popped into my head, I knew they were black. And not because I felt the need to ensure different groups were represented in the story. Much like Harold was a master gardener or Anita and her flowerbeds, from the moment they popped into my head, they just were. Interestingly, I pictured them as similar in appearance to James Earl Jones and Marla Gibbs.
This created an interesting writing scenario for me. I wanted the reader to know they’re black in an overall lily-white, rural town without resorting to cliches, or even worse, stereotypes. This took me a day or two to work out in my head because I knew what I wanted to avoid. Then it came to me – a simple mention of their involvement in the “…Cavalry A.M.E. Church in Newtown.” The African Methodist Episcopal Church is a historically black denomination, which would be the one clue offered to readers as to the Washington’s ethnicity.
Did anyone pick up on that? If so, no one’s ever mentioned it.
Reverend Jason Barnes aka “Jay”
When I was in junior high school, one of our lessons included a survey where we answered a bunch of questions. Then some program would spit out a list of vocations that matched our personality and other traits. At the top of my career options was “priest.” And while I assure you that was never in the cards, there’s been a few times in my life where I felt like I could make a good minister of some kind.
However I have a somewhat complex, if not conflicted, outlook when it comes to the topic of God and religion, organized or not, that would make good fodder for future writing and, most likely, therapy sessions. So it should come as no surprise that a character like Reverend Barnes would be equally so.
Jay’s story throughout all three books is a constant ebb and flow of his character as he learns to survive in a post-apocalyptic world while still holding on to his faith. He ends up with a Reagan-esque approach to the situation, a kind of “trust but verify” approach, relying on God but keeping a weapon within reach. He struggles once he’s actually forced to put the Bible down and pick up a gun, which is only natural of course.
Jay’s playful charm in the pulpit, his calm, introspective manner when needed, and his occasionally acting without consulting anyone ( much to Jim’s annoyance ) are what have made him an interesting character to write. As was having to come up with chapter and verse for him to quote or write the occasional sermon for him, which could at times be challenging. Yet as I wrote them, I’d put myself in his shoes, imagining myself in that moment and how I might give a sermon while making sure the congregation stayed awake.
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As I said in the beginning, I’m not entirely sure how interesting any of this character background is for you folks. But I kind of enjoy doing it and may do one more focusing on the bad guys. In the meantime if there’s a question you have about coming up with these characters, or have questions about a specific character, please let me know!
Very interesting and enlightening .
I appreciate and enjoy all your posts so please don’t give up.
I did not pick up on the Washington’s race, I was too engrossed in the story. I will say that the ending in Aftermath left me thinking it might not be as beneficial as the residents of Hammond’s Corners believed. I’m happy my instincts were correct.
Please keep sharing the background of your characters, I know they became as real to me as they did you while you were writing their story.