What is your favorite and least favorite part of the writing process?
Characterization is my favorite part of story development. There’s something exciting about creating new characters and imagining all the possible conflicts I can throw their way.
I like to dive deep into my characters’ childhoods, exploring and noting everything from their early years through their current age including family dynamics, childhood friends, education, jobs, any traumas they may have experienced. Not all these things make it into the story, but I need to know my characters to understand how they’ll respond to conflict.
Once I’m confident that I understand my characters’ personalities, I start the rough draft. I focus on completing the first rough draft over the course of several days without breaking for research or corrections. This is the “ugly” stage of the story. And I try not to think of audience during this initial layout. I write for me, simply letting the story unfold naturally.
After that, I start the revision process. This is where I layer in setting, description details, fine-tune dialog, and rewrite each scene in more depth. The story starts to take on theme and tone at this point, and it’s magical to watch the characters develop and grow.
On the flip side, this is also where I sometimes encounter issues—plot holes, consistency, and timeline problems. When this happens, I’m glad to have a strong sense of who my characters are. When problems arise, it’s easier and makes for a better story if I adjust the plot to fit the characters, than force the characters to fit the plot.
For example, in Lethal Wilderness Trap, I developed my main female protagonist, Ava Burke, to be a practical, no-nonsense woman who is fearless in defending her family, especially her small daughter Rose. There were several danger points in the plot where it would have been easy to change her personality and make her more of a damsel in distress, especially since I’d created an equally strong male romantic lead. Instead, I stayed true to Ava’s personality, even when it meant that I had to adapt my plot to fit what would be her normal reaction to conflict. To me, character consistency is key to avoiding the pitfall of “flat” characters.
When the plot starts to change, things become stressful. And that’s my least favorite part of the writing process. It’s that that moment of doubt when I wonder, “Will this actually come together in the end?” It’s a tough feeling, but thankfully, it always does. So far, anyway …
– Susan Furlong
Wow, thank you so much, Susan Furlong, for sharing with us!
I loved learning about how she really gets to know her characters on a personal level so she can better understand their story arch.
” I need to know my characters to understand how they’ll respond to conflict. “
In my opinion as a reader, that’s what will give us the characters we connect with and relate to the most. They’ll feel more real as their story lifts off the page!
“This is the “ugly” stage of the story. And I try not to think of audience during this initial layout. I write for me, simply letting the story unfold naturally. “
I love that!! How can you truly explore the depths of where a story will go unless you let your guard down and just dive in. Knowing you can go anywhere with it, and that no one is watching or judging your creative process must be such an exciting journey!
“I’m glad to have a strong sense of who my characters are. When problems arise, it’s easier and makes for a better story if I adjust the plot to fit the characters, than force the characters to fit the plot. “
It bothers me when a character acts, well, uncharacteristically. I haven’t run into that with any of Susan Furlong’s books and now I understand why! The way she pieces the plot together around her characters’ personalities gives a sense of continuity throughout the book no matter what twist might pop up.
“There were several danger points in the plot where it would have been easy to change her personality and make her more of a damsel in distress, especially since I’d created an equally strong male romantic lead. Instead, I stayed true to Ava’s personality, even when it meant that I had to adapt my plot to fit what would be her normal reaction to conflict.“
I can definitely see the results of this thought process in the story. I think Ava reacted exactly as a mother would when she finds herself or her family in danger and I never once doubted her strength and determination because of the care that went into writing her story.
Read my full review of Lethal Wilderness Trap
Trust means everything…
when danger hits too close to home.
Hunting a never-caught killer, Special Agent Nolan Shea learns of a new victim. But the body on Ava Burke’s land puts her and her young daughter, Rose, in someone’s lethal sights. With a trail of shocking clues pointing to her family’s involvement, Ava starts to question everything she holds dear and is soon desperate to uncover the truth with Nolan. Step after step, they confront their fears. But will finally cornering a murderer out in the wilderness become a trap they can’t escape?
From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Published by: Harlequin
Publication Date: January 21, 2025
Number of Pages: 208
ISBN: 9781335980427 (ISBN10: 1335980423)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Harlequin
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Author Bio:
Susan Furlong grew up in North Dakota where she spent long winters at her local library scouring the shelves for mysteries to read. Now, she lives in Illinois with her husband and children and writes mysteries of all types. She has over a dozen published novels and her work has earned a spot in the New York Times list of top crime fiction books of the year. When not writing, she volunteers at her church and spends time hiking and fishing.
Catch Up With Susan Furlong:
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