Creating organic characters: Is it in the stars?

Author (and double Gemini!) Bonnie Hearn Hill launches a new young adult series, Star Crossed, this month. In a guest post, she explains how astrology can help a writer get to know her characters. Share your thoughts on her post in the comments by Friday, April 2, and you’ll be entered to win a copy of the first book in the series, Aries Rising.

Bonnie Hearn Hill

When I first started trying to write fiction many years ago, I was told by a well meaning teacher that I needed to decide if I was writing action-driven fiction (thrillers), voice-driven fiction (literary) or character-driven fiction. That didn’t make sense to me even then. Isn’t all memorable fiction character-driven? An intriguing character can save a mediocre plot, but the best plot in the world can’t rescue a mediocre character.

Can using astrology help you create memorable characters? I think so. It’s helped me, but then I haven’t relied on it alone. So you need a proactive protagonist, and you say, “Okay, Aries is the Ram, a Fire sign. That’s proactive enough.” True, but Aries is not always a finisher. Or you say, “I want an emotional sign, so I’ll choose a Water sign like Scorpio.” But many Scorpios are too secretive to be proactive. You need to know more about your character than her Sun sign. Much more. That information should come from her.

The first three books in the Star Crossed series

Some of my writer friends believe in the character charts that ask everything from hair color to family history. Those lists make me feel as if I am taking a multiple-choice test. “Eyes? Blue! Hair? Black!” Although they request all of the pertinent information, the quizzes seem too left-brain to let me create organic characters.

When I began my Star Crossed young adult series, I had to hear the voice of Logan, my protagonist. I asked her to write me a letter. I’ve done this before when characters elude me. I ask them to write something like: “Dear Bonnie, My name is Logan McRae, and I was born . . .  I live in . . .  I have no siblings, and my mom spends most of her time on a golf tour. I miss her, but I’m happy she’s living her dream. At least that’s what my dad and I tell each other. My problem now is . . .”

These letters from my characters are usually five or more pages. Of course, I resist this exercise because I want to do the “real writing,” but I know the writing won’t be real until I truly know my character. Once I do it, and once I hear my character telling me about her life, I can say, “She’s not an Aries. This character is an Earth sign who is willing to work hard for what she wants. She sounds like a Capricorn.”

Use all of the tools you have. Start with the character’s voice, and then you’ll be ready to shade in the rest with astrology. Here’s the down and dirty on the different signs. Don’t let it limit you, though. As Logan learns in the Star Crossed series, the Sun sign is not the sum of a person’s personality.

Fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
They get things done. Aries rams. Leo likes attention. Sadge travels and talks.

Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
They keep things stable. Taurus is stubborn but loyal. Virgo is detail-oriented and sometimes critical. Capricorn works really hard and may worry about money when young.

Air signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
They are the communicators. Gemini spreads the news, often without filtering it. Libra speaks frequently of self as if trying to understand what to do. Aquarius speaks from an intellectual plane and with a desire to do well for all.

Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
These are the emotional signs. Frequently they have difficulty breaking from the past. They can also be supportive friends. Cancer is loyal to family and will destroy anyone who challenges or threatens family members. Scorpio is secretive with unfinished business, and loyal to the end. Pisces is a dreamer who has earned the doormat reputation. He’s also one of the most spiritual and creative signs.

Thanks, Bonnie! For more on Bonnie Hearn Hill and the Star Crossed series, visit her website or find her on Facebook.