21 Character Arc and Fangirl

Rainbow Rowell’s novel Fangirl is one of my all time favorites. It shares some traits on paper with the book I’m wrestling with now, Summerlands, except Fangirl does so many things right that mine doesn’t…yet.

I spend a lot of time talking about a book that doesn’t quite exist yet in this episode. So be aware!

Rainbow Rowell has an exquisite talent for getting out of her own way in writing a novel. She just tells the story. She has characters with fantastic arcs, where their internal conflict is expressed in external ways. Oh oh oh, it makes me frantic how good she is at this, while I’m fighting a draft that seems to be fighting back.

The number one trait of Fangirl’s main character is that she absolutely loves something, to the point of not caring whether she seems like atotal weirdo. I appreciate it so much when a character (or a real person) loves something that much, when they are so excited about it and into it. Enthusiasm, my number one favorite trait—well, tied with competence. And compassion. Three favorite traits.

Anyway, I got a lot out of thinking this through so I hope it’s helpful for you, too.

Sacred cheese of life!