The Characters Come to Life

Journal Entry 3

August 14, 2024. My characters are finally coming to life. It’s as if they’ve been waiting for me to give them a voice, and now they’re clamoring to be heard. Emma is no longer just a sketch; she’s a living, breathing person with dreams, flaws, and a past that shapes her. Jack, too, has revealed layers I didn’t initially see. He’s not just a stranger but someone with his own story to tell.

Writing their dialogues has been surprisingly enlightening. As they speak to each other, they reveal parts of themselves that even I didn’t know. It's like they have minds of their own, guiding me through the plot. I’m learning to listen to them, to trust where they want to go.

This process of character development is teaching me patience and empathy. I’m learning to see the world through their eyes, to understand their motivations and fears. It’s a humbling experience, realizing how complex and multifaceted each person — real or fictional — can be.

There are days when the writing flows effortlessly, and others when every word is a struggle. But I’m beginning to understand that this ebb and flow is part of the creative process. The characters, like the story, will reveal themselves in their own time.

For now, I’m content to let them lead the way.