What is a 3 dimensional character and why do we need them? 🤔 (Updated)

I recently watched a show where a young actress was showing her outrage. Interestingly, she appeared the same as when she was sad or happy. The point is that her acting wasn't very three-dimensional. It fell flat.

Sometimes characters in books can also fall flat, so writers must be vigilant. There should be depth to characters. They should demonstrate a vast array of emotions and reactions, and most of all, readers should be able to see their many layers. Just like real people, (hopefully) characters have to have complexity because that is, after all, human nature. Sometimes we don't even understand ourselves, and characters are pretty much the same way. That's all part of the human struggle, and it's necessary for growth; whether it's your own life or a character's development, it matters.

I certainly make great efforts to show the many sides of each of my characters. For example, as much as Jorge Hernandez (the protagonist in the Hernandez series) is generally a very tough, alpha male, who can be abrupt, direct, and occasionally cruel, he also has a soft side when with family and especially his wife. He has much inner turmoil stemming from his childhood. Jorge fears being a bad father and worries about the future. For this reason, when asked to describe his character, I find it a bit difficult because there's no simple answer. Then again, when describing most people that I know, I run into the same problem.

Characters should grow throughout a book or series. It is fun to see where they will go and what will happen. You know, kind of like real life. Well, sometimes.

Why we need more strong female characters 💪🏼 (Updated)

It should be a given that we need strong female characters in our books and television shows. And to be honest, I've seen an improvement in this area since first writing this article, but are we there yet? 

It's disappointing that I still see a few cringe-worthy examples. I recently caught part of a soap opera where a woman talked about how she 'found happiness' with a new man in her life, which suggested that she couldn't be or wasn't happy before he appeared. In the same show, a woman played the whole eye-lash-batting, I-don't-like-you-but-I-do game that caused me to roll my eyes.

That was a fail. Women don't need to play games or feel less valuable when they're single, and TV shows that perpetuate this scenario need to refresh their storylines and remember it's 2022.

Not to suggest that my female characters are always strong. They have their weak moments, just as we all have but for the most part, I like to think that they are powerful, independent, and self-reliant. Paige Noël-Hernandez and Jolene Silva from my Hernandez series are excellent examples. Physically and mentally, these women can take on any situation fearlessly; no hand-holding or white knight is required.

One of the things that I think is important to mention is that I'm not just talking about adults when I insist on strong female characters. My series has a young girl, Maria Hernandez, who demonstrates a great deal of strength. I think we sometimes forget that young girls are learning how to be young women in our society, and it is important that they aren't taught to take a weak position to get attention or be accepted. Maria tends to stand her ground, and although she can get a little out of hand sometimes, for the most part, she demonstrates a strong, confident child who's an independent thinker and fearless by nature. She is smart, articulate, and bold.

I don't tend to write about the 'damsels in distress', and I'm certainly not writing a fairy tale scenario where the prince swoops up on his white horse...I will leave that book for someone else. 😒

Let's talk about the character Diego Silva 🏳️‍🌈🇨🇴 (Updated)

The character Diego Silva came along at the end of We're All Animals. He's a fan favorite with a very distinct personality.

Diego Silva is abrupt, vocal, and direct, but he also carries this nervous energy, almost as if he's wired on caffeine (and probably is 😄) and can't stop moving. He's known for his sudden, loud remarks, almost as if he has anxiety brewing underneath the surface. Of course, he has an unexpected soft side that sometimes comes out, but it's not something everyone sees and certainly not his enemies.

Diego is the brother of Jolene Silva, the woman who hired Chase Jacobs in We're All Animals. He made a surprise appearance at the end of the book but had such a strong presence that I just had to continue to write about him. The second book in the series, Always be a Wolf, is as much about Diego as Chase, even though he's the protagonist. The book centers on their friendship and learning about Diego through Chase's eyes. It's an interesting interpretation considering that Chase is highly observant and sensitive.

Something that isn't obvious to readers right away is that Diego is gay. He doesn't try to hide it, but it's unexpected due to his lifestyle and associates. I like that Diego is a 'gay gangster' because we are so used to seeing these mobster-type guys as womanizers who attempt to show off their idea of masculinity, whereas Diego breaks that mold in a sense. He is a 'tough guy' like others, but when he's spending time with Paige Noël-Hernandez, his close friend, we often remove this mask to express himself in a more sensitive, gentle manner.

It's also interesting that Diego would end up being close friends with Jorge Hernandez, an alpha male who is in many ways his polar opposite. However, he makes many references within the books as Diego being his hermano or brother, and other than occasionally teasing him about his sexuality, Jorge shows no judgment or prejudice.

There's something special about Diego that draws people to him. Whether it's other characters or readers, I think he has a unique combination of characteristics that we both relate to and admire.

Learn more about the Hernandez series HERE. 

What my Characters Teach ME 🤓 (Updated)

My readers might be surprised to discover that each of my protagonists develops from a place deep inside me and transforms before my eyes as I tell their story. Readers may be even more surprised to discover that with each lead character comes a great lesson.

So what kind of lessons have I learned along the way? Check this out.

Ava from The Rock Star of Vampires: 

In The Rock Star of Vampires, Ava underestimates her powers. However, after a few mishaps (including a powerful hex that put her boss in the hospital) Ava began to recognize the power inside herself. Ava learns she's capable of doing things that she had never imagined possible. Most of us don't realize we are much more powerful than we ever thought possible. We just have to believe.





Mariah from Her Name is Mariah:

In Her Name is Mariah, the protagonist grows up in a difficult family situation and learns resiliency at a very young age. She's forced into young independence that serves her well as an adult, better preparing her for a tough world. One of the strongest characters I've ever written about, at one point Mariah Nichols declares herself the wolf in a world full of sheep. She intimidates, manipulates, and never allows anyone into her heart. Mariah Nichols teaches us that our strength is often much more powerful than we ever thought possible, and it's something we should embrace with no apology.





Natasha from Different Shades of the Same Color:

Natasha in Different Shades of the Same Color wanted to make the world a better place. She saw the importance of reaching out, connecting with people, and doing what she could to help those vulnerable in society. I think we sometimes get caught up in our own lives and forget the importance of connecting with our community. Natasha wanted to be their voice when they couldn’t speak, something we all should do. She also was goofy, not afraid to wave her freak flag and love life. Isn't that what life is all about?

Jorge from the Hernandez series

The sly Mexican fox himself has a way of reminding us that power is a state of mind. Where other people may feel helpless in various situations, Jorge is always locked in his sense of power. Whether or not it is true, or just in his head is irrelevant. It is because he believes it, that others do too. 

Paige from the Hernandez series

The wife of protagonist Jorge, it's not surprising that she's his opposite. Where he is loud, abrupt, and often rude, Paige is calm, centered, and level-headed. I often think I would like to have these same traits, but more times than not, I feel like I'm a little more Jorge than I am Paige. 

The characters are, in essence, a part of the author, and writing a book is often a very cathartic experience. I know it is for me.

Canadian author Mima is known for her complicated and diverse characters, a dark style, and for never shying away from controversial topics. To request an interview or if you are interested in doing a book review, please send requests here  

 

Don’t let the fun stop here - sign up for the newsletter!