I’ve found origin stories to be some of my most challenging pieces to write. You know what I mean, the backstory for your characters, how did they get to where they are? What makes them the way they are? Sometimes these details show up in the actual story, sometimes it’s just important for me as the writer to know, but either way, I’ve found this to be the hardest part of the process.
There are lots of forms and worksheets out there designed to help you figure all this out, and I’ve tried a few. But I’ve noticed when I do these worksheets, my character’s favorite color/food/book, etc, all become the same as my own. Whether that’s just laziness or realizing how much I am a part of my characters, I’m not sure. At the same time, questionaires like those are not always helpful for the genres I tend to write (sci-fi, adventure, fantasy).
For example, I have a couple of characters that I can’t seem to get away from. They’re teenaged super spies, Alicia and Cory. I have written at least 3 origin stories for them. And I’m talking full-length novel type pieces. I can’t seem to get this first adventure/mission right, the way I want it to go, with the right blend of action, suspense, humor, and campiness (because let’s be honest, teenage super spies as a genre has to be at least a little tongue-in-cheek).
But while I can’t seem to get them started, I have several drafts of stories that will easily follow the first one. Once I get these characters established as secret agents, as partners on various missions, and as a couple, I can write just about anything involving them. I know them. Stepping back into their shoes, falling back into their world, is as easy as breathing.
Alicia is slender and strong. Despite often being smaller than her opponents, she’s learned to use physics against them. She’s brilliant with technology and often uses it finds a way around a brawl. She knows her strengths, but like many teen girls (and people in general, really) she’s often hyper-conscious of her weaknesses. It’s not good for her to work alone, it gives her doubts time to flourish.
Cory is supremely confident. He’s quick to analyze a situation, and knows where his strengths and those of his team will be useful. He saw the value in his partnership with Alicia long before he did, and has spent several backstories persuading her that they make a good team. Despite knowing her abilities, he’s often overprotective of Alicia, exposing himself to danger in an attempt to keep her safe.
I ran across a writing prompt on Pinterest recently, and instantly I knew that this is a story for Alicia and Cory. And over the last few days I’ve hammered out this brief draft. Writing it has flowed so easily, I tend to be resentful when naptime is over. So, here it is, as it stands:
The Academy often conducted self defense classes for students as a guise for recruiting new young agents. Cory lost the bet, so he was assigned a group of Girl Scouts for the afternoon. Alicia lounged in the back of the room, prepared to watch the fallout.
She should have known better. No matter the situation, Cory was endlessly confident. Throw in his green eyes, winning smile, and a room full of eleven year old girls, and what should have been a disaster was quickly turning into an incredible success. There was a good chance of recruiting at least one new student to the Academy from this group. Maybe more.
Despite not going to plan, watching Cory teach basic martial arts and problem solving was making for a pleasant afternoon. He taught the girls as a group how to incapacitate a larger opponent and then let them take turns knocking him to the ground. One by one they left him lying on his back and returned to the group giggling.
Cory got back to his feet for the final time and met Alicia’s smiling eyes over the heads of his students”Well done everyone. How would you like to see a demonstration?” He beckoned to Alicia with a grin. The girls turned to look and began to clap and cheer. Alicia reluctantly stood and joined Cory in the front of the room. They faced off.
“Go easy on me,” he said. “I’ve had a rough day.”
“Not a chance.” Alicia moved quickly. Years of experience with Cory as a sparring opponent and partner had taught her to keep him on the defensive. If he gained momentum, she’d never been able to defeat him.
Their movements were sure and practiced. They knew each others’ strengths and tendencies as well as their own, which usually prolonged the match. This afternoon, Alicia noticed Cory moving a little stiffly, a result of being knocked off his feet a dozen times already. Moving quickly and constantly circling, she forced him to keep shifting and twisting to keep her in front of him.
Sweeping his legs, she sent him to the floor again, but tumbled on top of him when he hooked an arm around her knees. Before either of them could pin the other, the room plunged into darkness and a fire alarm wailed.
The troop leader stood from her chair in the back of the room and quickly gathered the startled girls around her. Alicia leaped to her feet and yanked Cory up. They cautiously started for the door.
“I’m sure it’s just a fire drill, girls. Nothing to worry about.” The leader calmly reassured her scouts.
“I’m not so sure,” Cory murmured in Alicia’s ear. She nodded.
Although they were using a classroom at a local university for their lesson, a fire drill on a Saturday in the middle of June seemed unlikely.
*****
What exactly is going on here? I’m not sure yet.
What I do know is that I’m clearly not done with these characters yet.
Or rather, they’re not done with me.
