03-06-2024 |10 Minute Writing – Fortress Fiction
In this 10 minute writing session, MJ writes A Grobug Tale Chapter 15 – Part IX.
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Revealing My Insectoid Character’s Personality Through Playful Banter
Rewritten from transcript by Claude (https://www.anthropic.com)
As a fantasy author, one of my favorite ways to develop characters is through dynamic dialogue and interactions. In this slightly extended 12-minute writing session from March 6th, 2024, I focused on a scene from Chapter 15 of my middle grade novel-in-progress, A Grow Bug Tale, where my insectoid protagonist Hopper bonds with Cinderstripe, a tiger-like Critterbot Guardian.
The heart of this passage is the budding friendship between these two unlikely companions. Cinderstripe, who initially took the lead in assessing Hopper’s intentions, now shifts into a more playful mode. By setting a brisk pace and challenging Hopper to keep up, he’s not only testing the bug’s physical capabilities, but also his spirit and determination.
I particularly enjoyed writing the moment where Hopper closes the gap between them with his signature hopping. It’s a small detail, but it reinforces his unique strengths and hints at how he earned his name. Those little connections between action and identity are so crucial in making characters feel authentic.
Of course, no bonding moment is complete without a bit of roughhousing! I loved the image of Cinderstripe and Hopper trading friendly swats and kicks as they tumble along the path. It’s a classic way to show two characters growing more comfortable with each other, letting their guards down and just having fun.
That sense of fun is something I really want to capture more of in this story. While the overarching plot deals with some heavy themes of loss, identity and destiny, I never want to lose sight of the sheer joy and wonder that should infuse a tale like this. Moments of levity and laughter are just as important as the epic battles and dramatic revelations.
One area I do need to refine in revision is the repetition of dialogue tags. Having Hopper and Cinderstripe echo each other’s lines about waiting works well as a humorous beat once, but doing it twice in quick succession kills the momentum. Luckily, that’s the kind of problem that’s easily fixed in the editing room!
Looking ahead, I’m excited to see how the dynamic between Hopper and Cinderstripe evolves as they reunite with the other Critterbot Guardians. With each new character added to the mix, the potential for lively banter and revealing conversations multiplies. It’s like an improv troupe riffing off each other, but with the added depth of an epic fantasy quest. What more could a writer ask for?
Let me know in the comments – what do you think of Hopper and Cinderstripe’s developing friendship? How do you feel about balancing humor and heart in a middle grade adventure story? I’m always eager to hear readers’ thoughts on character dynamics and tone. Your feedback helps me shape these stories into the best versions of themselves.
If you’re enjoying these behind-the-scenes glimpses into my writing process, be sure to subscribe to my channel. I’m documenting my entire journey of drafting this novel from start to finish, with plenty of tips, insights and geeky tangents along the way.
And if you want to see how all these story threads weave together, don’t forget to check out my website. That’s where I share sneak peeks of the finished chapters, along with exclusive worldbuilding lore and bonus content. Trust me, it’s a rabbit hole worth tumbling down.
Until next time, happy reading and writing! May your own stories be filled with laughter, wonder and the occasional friendly kick.
MJ Muñoz 