Writing is hard...

[ThinkAnarchy]

Great conversation about the character, so far. I also like characters that have complexities, quirks, flaws. After all, when we consider someone a hero, they're almost never a 'saint'. Maybe he had to kill someone when he didn't want to? Maybe he's visiting a cemetery for some unknown reason that we'll discover later? Maybe he's stored something in a warehouse or storage facility? Maybe he has to visit someone he hasn't seen for years, and that triggers memories or a possible future chain of events? Just a few possibilities there.

When I write, I'm like you. The characters get in my head, and the story seems to write itself. Often I don't know the character's full background, but the more I get to know their personality, the more I can guess at how they'd respond to certain situations in their past.

If you're in need of an editor, or constructive feedback on what you currently have, I'm happy to volunteer to look over anything for you -- not that I'm by any means some sort of expert, but one of the jobs I do is editing work for others, so there are certain angles I'd love to look for, for you. If you'd sooner work on it by yourself though, of course, no problemo.

More useful thoughts, thanks. Also, I may take you up on that offer once I get deeper into it. For one, I wouldn't want to waste your time if I eventually lose interest in it like many of my other ventures.  I will also probably wait until I'm satisfied with it before I consider showing it to anyone other than my wife. So far I have only storyboarded most of the plot and written the first chapter, which may end up being changed entirely. Thank you for your offer. I greatly appreciate it.

[ThinkAnarchy]

Please don't take any of my suggestions too seriously. I'm just feeding fuel into your fire. Do with it what you will. Stories are very personal things they can't be constructed by committee but sometimes suggestions can fill in gaps and/or inspire new ideas. All I'm doing is being a foil for you to work off.

I know and I appreciate it. Many of the things from this thread, including your suggestions have given me more ideas for who my characters might become. And your write-up on "John" gave me some ideas for minor plot points or back story.

[Amicale]

Great conversation about the character, so far. I also like characters that have complexities, quirks, flaws. After all, when we consider someone a hero, they're almost never a 'saint'. Maybe he had to kill someone when he didn't want to? Maybe he's visiting a cemetery for some unknown reason that we'll discover later? Maybe he's stored something in a warehouse or storage facility? Maybe he has to visit someone he hasn't seen for years, and that triggers memories or a possible future chain of events? Just a few possibilities there.

When I write, I'm like you. The characters get in my head, and the story seems to write itself. Often I don't know the character's full background, but the more I get to know their personality, the more I can guess at how they'd respond to certain situations in their past.

If you're in need of an editor, or constructive feedback on what you currently have, I'm happy to volunteer to look over anything for you -- not that I'm by any means some sort of expert, but one of the jobs I do is editing work for others, so there are certain angles I'd love to look for, for you. If you'd sooner work on it by yourself though, of course, no problemo.

More useful thoughts, thanks. Also, I may take you up on that offer once I get deeper into it. For one, I wouldn't want to waste your time if I eventually lose interest in it like many of my other ventures.  I will also probably wait until I'm satisfied with it before I consider showing it to anyone other than my wife. So far I have only storyboarded most of the plot and written the first chapter, which may end up being changed entirely. Thank you for your offer. I greatly appreciate it.

By all means. It's an open invitation for you, or for that matter, for anyone else on this forum. Just send me a PM if/when you want another pair of eyes on something you're writing.