Losing Charlotte is a book that probably should have touched my heart a little more than it did. It has all of the components of a real tearjerker, but it really didn't do anything but bore me. Maybe it was the writing or maybe I am a cold hearted bitch. It could go either way.
Knox & Charlotte are sister that are not as close as most sisters. They kind of grew apart the older they got. They still fulfilled their familial obligations, but they didn't talk multiple times a day or squeal with delight each time they saw each other. Yet when Charlotte calls to tell Knox that she is having her twins sooner than she thought, Knox gets on the plane to be there for their births. Unfortunately tragedy strikes. Leaving Knox and Charlotte's widower, Bruce, to try and hold things together for the twins.
The rest of the book is Bruce & Knox trying to deal with "Losing Charlotte" and getting the twins through their first year of life. Like I said, it was nothing special. It had the potential to be a real tearjerker, but for me the inspiration just wasn't there. The characters seemed awkward and forced. But maybe it was just me....
I've been noticing this a lot lately: the phenomenon of weak characters. My husband keeps telling me that he's surprised that it doesn't matter much to me (I'm more into plot and story) because when I write I always write outstanding and very personal characters along with a good story and plot line. Too bad I don't share what I write any more, isn't it?
I read once in a book on writing fiction that you have to know your characters inside and out. You need to know their grandmother's maiden name, what their favorite color is, and whether they prefer Rocky Road or Vanilla.
That's how I characterize my characters when I'm actively writing short stories or tackling a novel (which I'm going to do this November for the first time).
It is a wonder to me that authors seem to have abandoned this kind of characterization: it is *so* important. I've even read romantic stories lately where the characters are underdeveloped: it just doesn't work.
Too bad, it sounds like this one really did have potential, too. Great review!
Post a Comment