So you wrote and sold a great book. Way to go!
Fans clamor for all the little extra details, the bonus peeks into how things are going for those characters after their happy ending. That’s wonderful, except you wrote those characters at least a year ago and if you’re doing it right, you’re working with a new cast to satisfy your current muse or to fulfill the current contract.
But then it’s suggested you put those brief forays and behind-the-scenes moments into a website or blog. Maybe even dive into twitter or facebook – microblogging as your character to increase your readership.
Is it worth it to wade back through the old stuff? Will the effort create something fresh and new?
More importantly, can you even connect with those characters again?
Of course you can. A character interview is a great way to catch up with characters from projects past.
Try these ideas to help make the reconnection as painless as possible: find a passage that makes you smile, remember a favorite character trait or quirk, and look over the research or your ‘out takes’ file to see what you can build from what didn’t make it into the published book.
Now that you’re back on board with the characters, put on your interviewer hat and get ready to take notes – fast.
Ask your main characters some pertinent questions about what’s transpired since you last saw them. What about their new life is most surprising? Any new or reclaimed hobbies? Seen any old enemies lurking about?
You’ve got the idea. Knowing your characters will make it easier for you to come up with much better questions. Only time and feedback will tell you if it’s fresh, but I believe it’s worth the effort.
If you’ve delivered characters fans enjoy, keeping them engaged and connected is vital to your continued success as an author. So be brave and go visit those friends you created on the page and share the fun with your fans.
Live the adventure!
