#Tirgearr author shares ideas for fleshing out #Romance novel hero and heroine #amwriting -- answer questions from my check-list, and you'll be on your way!

Are you embarking on a new romance novel? Answer these questions and look for ways a heroine and hero can agree or disagree. 

In my Donahue Cousins Series, the hero is from a big family.  In the book I’m writing now, she’s an only child. How might that create problems? Today I’m answering these questions for my work-in-progress, Dutiful Alliance. Start with the heroine and do the same activity for the hero. It helps me to find physical likenesses of my hero and heroine. 

•    What is this character’s name?
•    What is her age and birth date?
•    What does she look like?
•    What is her astrological sign? Does it matter to her?
•    What are her parents like?
•    Does she have brothers and sisters?
•    How important are her family relationships?
•    Where does she live? (Urban? Small town? Rural?)
•    Why did she choose to live there?
•    Does she live in an apartment? House? What type or style? Did she choose the residence, and why?
•    Does she live by herself? With others?
•    What are her important material possessions?
•    What are her hobbies?
•    What is her education?
•    What is her job? How does she feel about her work?
•    Is this a long-term career or just a job?
•    What does she want to be doing in 20 years?
•    If she has unexpected free time, what does she do?
•    How does she feel about the opposite sex?
•    What is her relationship status? Single? Divorced?
•    Does she have children?
•    Who is her best friend? Why?
•    Who is her worst enemy? Why?
•    How would a former date describe her?
•    What one event has made her who she is today?
•    How does that turning point in the character’s life relate to the other main character in the story?
•    What trait does she have that she wants to keep secret from the world?
•    What does she like most about her life?
•    What does she dislike most about her life?
•    What would this character die to defend?
•    What are her most likable and unlikable traits?
•    As the story begins, what is her main problem?
•    What does she do that makes this problem worse?
•    Who is this person’s love interest?
•    What qualities in the other main character are most attractive to this person?
•    What is her ideal happy ending?
•    What reaction do you want readers to have to her?
•    Why should the reader care about her?

Did your discoveries about your characters surprise you? Do you feel more prepared to write about these people? Do you have more insight into how they might act or how they’ll behave under stress or pressure? This information is for you as the author, and you don’t need to reveal everything. Select the facts that best illustrate your heroine and hero.  These are the ones with strong impact. Leave small stuff out.