Anne C. West

I love the underdog in stories. I’m a total sucker for them.

I’ve always been drawn to morally grey characters and villains in stories. Most villains fascinate me, though I can’t say the same for the ones in slasher movies. But even then, if you dig into Jason’s backstory, it might stir some empathy.

It’s not difficult for me to write about people from the wrong side of the tracks or those society has trodden down. In my personal life, I’ve had to dig myself out of difficult circumstances. In a way, it’s ‘easy’ to identify with having the odds stacked against you. This connects to the advice to “write what you know.”

However, I also believe we should “write what we want to learn” or “write what we’re curious about.”

Fiction vs. Real Life

In fiction, characters evolve. In real life, our habits often keep us stuck in the same cycles. Through much discomfort and suffering, I’ve learned that life often gives us chances to change, find better ways, and learn valuable lessons. Yet, our fears, habits, and prejudices often hold us back.

There’s a dark saying—though I can’t recall who said it—that the greatest potential lies in the graveyard. In the cemetery, you’ll find unwritten books, undiscovered inventions, and unsolved problems. It’s grim, but there’s truth in it.

Just as life presents opportunities for growth, our stories often start with characters who have flaws. Sometimes these flaws are simple obstacles they must overcome. That flaw becomes both the problem and the solution. I’m not the most eloquent writer, so don’t take my musings as gospel. But in my experience, human beings, living or dead, make the best characters.

Finding Inspiration in People

People and their behaviours fascinate me. It’s not a very creative approach, I know, but it’s intriguing how inventive people can be when facing problems—and how they come up with solutions. Character inspiration is all around us.

History is filled with colourful characters too. Just ask George R.R. Martin. His epic stories are packed with real events and real people from history. I haven’t read his books yet, but I’ve watched Game of Thrones, and I imagine the books are just as good. Usually, they are, though I don’t want to assume and look foolish.

Stepping Into My Characters’ Shoes

When I write, I like to put myself in my characters’ shoes. I think about what I would have wanted to happen if I were in their position. It’s a bit like the therapy technique of ‘mothering the inner child.’ Therapy has been an important part of my life—not just during crises, but as a maintenance tool to stay grounded.

The idea behind ‘mothering the inner child’ is that, during trauma, a child may get stuck in that moment, unable to process it. Therapy helps by offering the love, support, or instruction that was missing at the time. This allows healing to begin. Once that healing happens, harmful coping mechanisms can be replaced with healthier ones.

For my characters, I often place someone or something in their path that acts as the ‘mothering’ figure they needed in their past. For example, in my story Frances & Gilbert, Frances gets stuck in her grief and loss after her parents die. Her environment exposes her inexperience as a young woman suddenly in charge of running a household. She’s tricked by scheming members of society. The ‘mothering’ figures I chose were both Gilbert and his aunt. They help her move beyond her sorrow and shield her from those who would exploit her.

I had to condense the story to fit the novelette format, but the heart of it remains.

Writing the Dark and Healing

As curious as I am about writing spicy romances, I find it difficult to shift my focus away from character development. For me, scenes of spice and sex can detract from that. However, I do want to take a class on writing this side of storytelling at some point.

Ultimately, I want my readers to connect with my characters. I want them to feel encouraged or inspired by the characters’ journeys.

I recently listened to an author who writes dark, suspenseful romance. She shared how her books appeal to readers who have lived through similar experiences of violence, manipulation, and abuse. Many of these readers developed a sort of Stockholm Syndrome in their real lives. The author herself had lived through similar trauma, and after writing many of these books, she found healing.

I thought it was amazing that through her writing, she could heal her inner child. Her characters’ repeated experiences of trauma and redemption helped her work through her own pain. I’d love to talk to her readers and ask if they feel the same. Are they finding healing through the characters too?

Life Imitates Art, and Art Imitates Life

At the end of the day, life and art often reflect each other, including our hurts and pains.

In summary, my characters usually develop from my own experiences or from real people, living or dead. I pretend that my characters are the inner child needing healing and nurturing. The characters and environments around them become the ‘mothering’ figure, offering the support they needed.

I hope my readers find inspiration or comfort in these characters’ journeys, or at the very least, enjoy reading their stories.

Thanks for reading!

Cheers until next time.