Do your characters have quirks? 🤭 (Updated)

Quirks are odd behaviors or habits that people develop, and as it turns out, characters are no different. Most of the quirks that my characters demonstrate aren't planned but pop up in the story and stick.

What makes quirks fun is that they usually tell you something about the character. For example, many quirks that I use in my books seem to be associated with nervous or anxious behavior. I have one character that twitches and jerks a lot, especially when he's uneasy, whereas another character (who's bilingual) switches back to his native tongue when very upset.

What I love about quirks is that it makes a character more three-dimensional. This is especially true when the character regularly demonstrates the behavior. As I mentioned in the earlier examples, two of my characters tend to react in specific ways when presented with stress. This becomes consistent throughout the books to the point that you begin to expect it in the same circumstances.

Of course, not all quirks connect to emotions. A quirk could be someone not wanting the food on their plate to touch or refusing to drink out of a blue glass. One of my characters, for example, has a lime tree in his condo. He's obsessive about it and treats it almost like a child that needs constant care. That might also be considered a quirk. Then again...maybe that's just weird.

What are some of the quirks you've noticed with your favorite characters?

Should you be a writer? ✍🏼 (Updated)

One of the most common questions I get from people is whether or not they should become a writer. For me, it's difficult to answer that question because it's not for me to say. How passionate are you about writing? Do you have the time to put into it? Are you willing to learn the craft? Why do you want to be a writer?

For some people, the idea never leaves the thought process, and for others, they jump right in and start writing. If you're thinking about it more than doing it, your heart may not be into it. Writing requires a lot of time and dedication, so if you aren't truly inspired, then chances are, it may not be for you. And hey, there's nothing wrong with that! 

Then again, not everyone has to write a book either. Some people are more inclined to work on a blog, while others might want to write in a journal, create poetry or even come up with songs. It depends on your style and interest. For me, I can't imagine ever writing a short story. I also can't envision writing a song or poem. I'm not interested in all the research required to write a non-fiction book, but fiction? Now that's my baby!

Of course, you have to also look at why you're doing it. If your only interest is writing a best seller and becoming rich and world-famous, you might want to change your plan. Not to say that this isn't possible, but it rarely happens overnight. Writing books is like starting a business. You probably will put a lot of work into it before you start seeing results as you slowly build an audience. Then again, if you're writing because you can't imagine not writing, then you are probably on the right path.

As I said, writing can take many forms. You don't necessarily have to write a book, but if you want to, then don't overthink it. Just do it. 

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. 😒

Why overly structured writing doesn't work 💻 (Updated)

Growing up, I was told that a writer had to have a well-constructed plan created before starting a book. You needed to create characters and have them figured out well in advance. You needed to know all the details before writing the first chapter. And you needed to know the ending before you started.

I think this is wrong. Overly structured writing, much like an overly structured life, doesn’t work. It’s awkward, it is uncomfortable, and it’s not fun. The characters create themselves, as do their storylines, and really, that’s what makes the entire process magical and exciting. If your imagination is allowed to run wild, it can go to many exciting places. 

I often say that attempting to force your characters to be or act a certain way steals something from the creative process. It's similar to forcing your children to be something they are not. If Billy Jr. hates hockey, he's not going to become an NHL star, and even if he does, it's not going to end well if his heart isn't into it. You can't play God with characters, but you can let them lead the way. That makes the best storytelling of all. 

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

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