Angela L. asked Jennifer Egan:

Hi Jennifer, looking forward to reading Manhattan Beach! I'm a debut writer currently dividing my MS into 2 - 3 novels. I'm re-writing in the Romantic Suspense genre. The feedback I received from a professional editor was that she couldn't connect with the main character. How do you develop your characters to make them resonate with readers? Thanks so much! Angela

Jennifer Egan Hi Angela, Hmmm, that is a tough question. I find character the hardest thing to explain. I guess the first question I would want to ask your reader/s is: where does the character feel most alive? What are the moments when s/he seems to snap into focus? Those moments can become a kind of blueprint for how to improve the rest. Three things I try to think about when developing characters: 1. What are the person's habits of mind--the particular ways they organize reality as they live it. We all do this differently, and finding the particular tricks your character employs mentally to respond to the world around him or her are important. 2. What are the person's contradictions? What are the things that DON'T add up. "Consistent characters" often read as flat and dull, because we are inherently contradictory creatures. 3. What is the character's history? Ideally you should have to lay out very little backstory; our stories seep into our thoughts, impressions, and speech. Make sure those elements of your character are doing your work for you, so you can explain and describe the person as little as possible. Hope that helps and good luck! All best, Jenny

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