Deby Fredericks

So I’ve developed a process to help me look beyond such obvious tropes. Most new novels, I work up at least three concepts for each main character, which include a background, motivation and the skills or strengths they will bring to the tale.

The first concept will almost certainly be a stereotype, with motivations a child could see through: a poor woman who works a dead-end job. The second concept will be more interesting, but still predictable: a poor woman in a dead-end job who wants to marry a wealthy customer and leave drudgery behind.

The third concept and any others that follow will become more and more interesting, but less and less predictable. The goal is to arrive at something fresh and original, with enough familiar tropes that readers feel comfortable.

Often I will end up with something like this:“The main character is a bar maid…