Jorge Hernandez vs. Big Pharma 💊

One of the most prevalent themes in my Hernandez series is the ongoing battle between protagonist Jorge Hernandez and his nemesis, Big Pharma. It's a fight unlikely to end anytime soon but will only grow as tension grows with each book. 

The premise behind the Hernandez series is that Jorge was once a cartel leader in Mexico. Through a miracle, he never ended up in either prison or dead, but instead relocated to Canada to start a legit business. Once here, Jorge often is ranting how as a cartel boss, he was always running from the law, but Big Pharma is also responsible for people becoming addicts but can do so legally and have no repercussions. Also, he takes over the Canadian pot industry (House of Pot) only adds to the ongoing battle between the pharmaceutical industry and Jorge Hernandez. 

Jorge is a respectable businessman to the public, but behind the scenes, he's part of an ongoing war with Big Pharma, and things often get bloody. 

Learn more about the Hernandez series HERE.

Every character has a purpose 🤪

Although our focus tends to be on the protagonist of a book, the truth is that secondary characters often tell you a lot about the main character. This can come out in conversations and various situations or in the rare chapter where we see the story through a secondary character's eyes. This is important because it allows you to get to know that character much better and connect with them on a deeper level. It's like when you meet someone; the more they reveal about themselves, the more you feel a bond or at least an understanding of their personality and values.

Why is that important? Think about it in terms of real life. Suppose you meet someone online. That person will show you the images that flatter them, tell you stories that make them sound interesting and tell you how they see themselves. When you meet them in person, you'll notice different aspects of their personality. This could be good or bad, but the point is that you see a fuller picture in person. If you then throw another person into the mix, say one of their friends or a family member, you'll once again see them more clearly just through their conversations, body language, and the general vibe you get when they are together. This is how we learn about people. Characters are similar in that we learn more about them through their interaction with other characters. 

One great example from the Hernandez series is how Chase Jacobs changes throughout the series. In the first book, We're All Animals, Chase is very much the boy next door, probably a little naive especially compared to other characters in the book. Jorge recognizes this aspect, but on the flip side, Chase shows us how Jorge is intimidating, strong, and dangerous. However, if you only heard the story from Jorge's viewpoint, you'd probably be left thinking that he's justified in many of his actions because that's the story he wants to tell you. 

I find it a little unsettling when I read a book that focuses only on the protagonist and where they are coming from because I don't feel like I'm hearing all sides of the story. In turn, it sometimes hides the main character's flaws, which isn't realistic and tends to paint the picture of a saint who's the victim. Real-life and realistic characters are much more complex. 

How do I meet my characters 🤝

It might surprise you to learn that meeting a character isn't all that different from meeting an actual person. I mean, there are some obvious differences, but in theory, it's quite similar. What do I mean? Let me explain.

When you meet a person, it takes time to get to know them. You can make assumptions about them, get your first impression, but it tends to take time to unravel the complexities of a human being. People are complicated. They're a series of experiences, heritage, genes, and self-concepts that makes them both fascinating and at times, difficult to understand. 

Characters are also complex, a product of their environment, experiences, and views of the world. And contrary to what many people might think, you can't decide ahead of time exactly who they are and fit them in a neat little box. It usually takes writing about them and seeing them in various circumstances and conversations to slowly reveal who they are and how they fit into the world. 

So, in essence, I meet my characters when they come along in the story, but getting to know them is a whole other thing.

- Mima

Stay in touch with your characters ☎️(Updated)

Sometimes it's a good idea to take a moment to get in touch with your characters to get back up to speed. This could be for several reasons, including if you had to take a break from writing for some time or maybe you're feeling a little disconnected from your characters. Let's face it, life can interrupt the little fantasy world you've created, and it's sometimes difficult to get back on track.

So what do you do?

I write notes about each character and consider what's going on with them during different points in the story. What are they feeling? Do they have an issue that's been on their mind? How are they getting along with other characters? What are their fears or worries? What have they done recently or plan to do in the future? 

Catching up with your characters is similar to catching up with old friends. You want to get a sense of where their headspace is or what's going on in their lives. However, just like everyday people, some characters are more forthcoming than others. You may hit a few walls at times, and if that's the case, you have no choice but to accept it. 

Remember that your characters are the blood in the veins of a story. Regardless of how great the concept unless the characters are relatable, likable, and compelling, the reader might lose interest. For that reason, staying in touch with your characters is an important element in the writing experience. 

Characters, Characters, Characters! Why we love Awesome Characters! 😇😈 (Updated)

Is there a character that you love? It doesn't matter if it's on television or in your favorite book; is there someone that stands out and is exciting to read about or watch? Why is character development so important??

If there's one thing that stands out to me in a great book or television show, it is specific characters. In my mind, these personalities (or lack thereof...) can make or break a show. You can have awesome plot twists and terrific writing, but if you don't have characters that people connect with, it things can fall flat.

We like variety, diverse and dynamic characters. As I've said before, we love personalities that jump off the page because they seem realistic and charismatic. They're the people you want to learn more about with every chapter or, in the case of a television show, each episode.

Characters should grow, especially in a series. Just like everyday people, it seems a bit unusual to not see growth or, at the very least, a change in opinion over time. As you learn about the characters, they're often learning about themselves. Even more interestingly, the characters you're drawn to might also be telling you something about yourself.