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Writing 101 Meets
Psychology 101 by Sarah-Jane Lehoux
One of my biggest pet peeves in books, tv, and movies is
when the writers obviously know little about human psychology. Say, for
instance, a character dies. Happens quite a lot, wouldn’t you agree? But what
some stories fail to properly follow up on is the aftermath of that death. Next
chapter, next episode, and said dead character is barely mentioned, let alone
mourned. The whole story suffers as readers/viewers need to be emotionally
invested, and why should they be when the characters themselves aren’t?
I believe it’s a writer’s duty to educate themselves in
human psychology—or more generally, what makes people do what they do, act how
they act, be who they are. At a very basic level, writers should familiarize
themselves with MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS. Wiki it, if you’ve never heard of
it. Basically, it ranks various needs, from things like food and shelter, to
safety and self-esteem. And it also explains the consequences of having one or
more of these needs denied, taken away, or left unfulfilled.
So say a character’s parents are killed. This is a HUGE
event! It shouldn’t be glossed over. Even if the character isn’t consciously
aware of it, this traumatic event should impact almost every facet of their
lives.
Sevy, the main character in The Sevy Series (obviously!) has
dealt with a lot of loss in her life. While I was creating her, I did a lot of
research into Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and depression. These conditions
have symptoms that I weaved into her behavior, both when she is alone and when
she is interacting with other characters. And while reader reaction to her has
been mixed (from loving her to hating her), one thing is for sure: she is
memorable. She lingers in the reader’s mind long after they put down the book.
And isn’t that the whole point of story-telling?
Happily Ever After Doesn't Come Without a
Price
In the crumbling city of Eloria, there are two indisputable facts.
First, everyone has a dream. Secret, seemingly unattainable, altogether
irresistible, it is the kind of dream that aches and, at times, burns. For
most, it will forever remain a teasing enigma, but there are those for whom
dreams grow into obsession. Which brings us to the second indisputable fact:
everyone has a price. Protestations of morality have little meaning when
confronted with the all-consuming passion of the soul. Better judgment is
pushed aside for the chance to obtain the unobtainable. The only question
remaining is just how much a person is willing to sacrifice in order to get
what they want.
Sevy has always been a quick study in the wicked ways of Eloria. Since childhood, she has eked out a living for herself with the help of her sticky fingers and her indomitable spirit. She has no qualms about taking what she desires, and when the unrequited love of her life is mysteriously murdered, Sevy will stop at nothing to get him back. Elvish black magic, necromancy and demonic pacts are of little consequence if it means she can once again have her beloved at her side. But is she willing to murder her only friend to get the job done? Is there a line that even this selfish, self-proclaimed bitch is not prepared to cross?
Blurb
for Shades of War:
There is More Than One Road to Redemption
Sometimes the past can't be forgotten. Sometimes the truth refuses to be
buried. And sometimes the dead won't stay dead.
It began as a simple request: Journey to the Northern Jungles and bring
a wayward son back to the safety of his farm and family before the racial
tension that is building between humans and dark elves erupts into civil war.
But life is never simple for Sevy, and she soon finds herself entangled in a
bloody battle of good versus evil, love versus hate.
Old friends and enemies reunite, familial bonds are broken, and loyalty
is tested. And in the midst of the steamy, sultry jungles, the ghosts of a
serial killer's victims come out to play. Sevy, as petulant and irascible as
ever, must overcome her personal demons in order to expose a madman and bring
peace back to the kingdom. But just how much of her sanity must she sacrifice
to help her friends? And how can she save anyone when she can't even save her
own soul?
Blurb
for Masquerade:
Never Trust a Liar, especially when
they're telling the truth.
Starting over isn’t easy, especially when the world isn’t ready for you
to change. Sevy, thief turned assassin turned mercenary, isn’t having any fun
adjusting to a normal, law-abiding life. Luckily for her, an old partner in
crime arrives with an irresistible proposition: a getaway to a tropical island,
an adventure of a lifetime, and an amazing friendship ready to blossom into an
even more amazing romance.
Things are looking up for Sevy. That is, until a pack of maniacal
fairies with a taste for human flesh arrive on the scene.
Now she must unravel a web of magical intrigue hidden behind the
outwardly idyllic atmosphere of the islands of Belakarta. Nothing is as it
seems, and no one can be trusted. Trapped under the spell of a handsome and
mysterious stranger, Sevy must fight fairies and tricksters to regain her
freedom.
Or spend an eternity as a sorcerer’s plaything.
Author
Bio:
Sarah-Jane Lehoux has always had a passion for storytelling. From grade
school tales of cannibalistic ghosts, to teenaged conversations with God, to
her rebellion against adulthood with fantasy kingdoms and fairy magic, she has
attempted to share her love of the quirky and unconventional with her readers.
She currently resides in Southern Ontario with her husband and her horde
of Machiavellian cats. In addition to her own writing, Sarah-Jane works as an
editor and freelance cover artist.
BUY LINKS for the series:
Shades of War http://www.amazon.com/Shades-
2 comments:
Welcome, Sarah Jane. I see the connection between psychology and writing. You need to understand your character in order to develop that personality, like what makes him tick.
I think this is a good point. Too often we writers get caught up researching everything under the sun, but we assume we know our characters because we're human too. A little psychology could go a long way to a multilayered character.
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