Sharon G. Flake is an award-winning author of over 1.8 million copies of her books sold globally. Her work is taught in elementary schools , middle to high schools, as well as at college. Most known for her classic novel The Skin I'm In, Flake has authored fifteen books including novels, picture books, short story collections and more.
Sharon loves young people, young readers. She feels she died and went to heaven to get to be able to write for younger people and be in their presence. She tries to crate work that is worthy their attention. We often think about what editors/agents/reviewers think of their work, but we should keep the young people, our readers top of mind.
Some tips for creating memorable characters:
1. Let your character show you the way.
Get out of the characters way and let them lead the way.
First sentences do a lot of heavy listed. The first line of THE SKIN I’M IN, “The first time I seen her, I got a bad feeling inside.”
You want to create characters that have texture.
Sharon often doesn’t know who’s going to show up. She’s good at saying to the characters that do show up, “I’m going to let you lead the parade.” She says, “It’s not really my story. It’s my character’s story.”
You might wonder how that come out? Sharon says, your character knows you. They know what you value. They know what you like. They know what’s important to you.
Sharon ask the room: How do your values show up on the pages of your book?
2. Learn to erase yourself from your story.
Sharon doesn’t want the author Sharon Flake to show up on the page. She wants it to be the kid, the character.
Keep checking yourself: Would a kid this age say this?
3. Give your characters a nearly impossible test.
4. Learn to slip into somebody else skin.
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