A couple days ago I posted the benefits of world building for paranormal romances for people who consider themselves control freaks.

It’s quite possibly the best (and safest) way to completely dictate your environment – and even if it’s fiction – it’s a fun and therapeutic exercise in global domination.

Character Interviews are the antidote for control freak types.

If you’re a control freak, think of the character interview as kryptonite. You might go into the interview with the intent to glean the info you want, but it’s just as likely the character will take control.

You’ll find yourself a weakened puddle of mush if you’re interviewing an alpha character who won’t cooperate or even acknowledge your questions.

Why am I on a control freak tangent this week?

Because I’m a mother of teenagers, wife of an engineer, and the go-to girl for what’s fondly referred to as a petting zoo rather than a mere home. It’s prom time, festival band season, and… spring!

Life and circumstance have taught me that while I might want to believe I have control over something as mundane as the daily schedule – I really don’t.

How do character interviews help?

I need the emotional and creative outlet of my paranormal romance novels. I need the daily interaction with the characters running amok in my head. And I need to embrace the unexpected when I’m asking those characters what really matters to them.

This process of my fiction is  good practice for my life.

If I can’t control the products of my imagination, why should I expect to control those real life characters I live with? Much less expect to control the external happenings of the scheduled activities of both the humans and animals around here.

Strange, maybe. But I’m telling you it’s proven to be quite helpful.

It’s odd, but I’m usually relieved after being thwarted by a character interview. When I dive into a character interview – intent on one goal – and they surprise me – it’s usually with information that makes the story richer.

At least that’s what I discover when the tears of frustration evaporate.

Live the adventure!

If you’ve been following along with the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, you’ve likely seen lots of interviews of athletes as well as lots of action.

The stories posted on the US broadcasts seem to have a common theme: how athletes dig in to overcome challenges.

From Lindsey Vonn’s shin injury to Bode Miller’s ups and downs over three olympic games to the moment Apolo Ohno’s dad forced him to think about his future. All of them faced adversity and obstacles. All of them kept going and did it anyway.

It can’t just be that US reporters are looking for underdogs or sob stories – though there are certainly those angles.

These athletes have become characters – in our hearts and on our televisions. They have shown integrity and dedication to their sport and their supporters to give it their best effort – no matter the score at the end of the day.

Shaun White at the top of the hill didn’t even have to make a second run – he’d won the gold. He was so excited he claimed he couldn’t make a run, but he did.

He settled himself and threw down a run like no one’s ever seen, earning a 48.8 out of 50 possible. He didn’t do it for the points, he did it for the fans.

Alexandre Bilodeau, the Canadian gold medalist in men’s moguls dragged himself up the mountain for practices even on days when he didn’t want to simply because his brother couldn’t.

In watching the reporters, in listening to the questions posed, dodged and answered, it helps me refine the questions I’ll ask my characters – both the protagonists and the antagonists.

Not just what makes you mad or elated, but what would you go to the mat for? Who is the motivating force that keeps you going back to practice?

Villains have just as much motivation as heroes and character interviews can peel back the layers to get to the heart of it. And putting that character heart on the page turns your readers into fans!

Live the adventure!