Guest Author: Shane Briant

26 May 2009 Jackie LE Guests 26

Literary Escapism would like to welcome author Shane Briant to the floor today. Shane is the mind behind the newly released Worst Nightmares and he’s here today to discuss how he gets into the minds of his characters.
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What interests me when I read a novel is exactly how much the author is identifying with each of his characters.

Often, I put words in the mouth of one character so I can be ready with the reply of another. In this way I can discuss something that interests me, horrifies me, concerns me, amuses me. However, as I read other author’s work, I frequently wonder if I hear the author agreeing or disagreeing. Which side is he on? For instance, pro-euthanasia or against it.

When I wrote Worst Nightmares (Vanguard Press, 12th May release) I was intrigued by the question of how far a good man will go to save his reputation, his financial well-being, his marriage. Which moral boundaries will he cross? What is his personal Rubicon? Naturally, I had to ask myself a heap of questions. After all, if my character does something I’d never do, then maybe I’m asking too much of my character. It’s possibly not plausible. This doesn’t mean that I have to be capable of doing everything my character does—???far from it. It’s possible, for instance, that he’s gay, while I am straight. I couldn’t kill unless my family was immediately threatened—then I’d do it in a heart beat, and probably wouldn’t regret doing so. This doesn’t matter. More to the point is would my character initially keep certain grizzly evidence to himself rather than sharing it with the police? Then would he compound his crime by covering up something worse. Then would he have to lie to his wife? Then…would he kill?

Recently I read a novel by a quite well known English author. It was a financial thriller. In the book five of our hero’s buddies are horribly murdered—one after the other. The leading man never feels compelled to share his thoughts about who the killer might be with the cops; even when his new girlfriend was threatened! Why? Because he is a broker and the share price is rising! Well, I lost interest quickly in the novel.

If I write a chapter, I have to feel sure that everything could actually happen. That’s paramount. If I’m delving into the mind of a psychotic serial killer, somehow I have to imagine how he might think. In many respects this is easier that one might think. First of all, take away any thought of human compassion and substitute anger, arrogance, and cruelty. That’s enough to start with. Mix all these ingredients in a mortar and crush them. Add a pinch of VERY dark humor and one small touch of heart. Then move on. Once you have your mind wrapped around this mindset it’s quite easy to imagine how this character might kill. Then I can begin to think about imagining how he might go about his brutal job, and suggest the degree of satisfaction he might attain.

Strangely enough, members of my wife’s family have often maintained they are at times troubled by my dark literary thoughts. How I can so easily conjure up the devilish exploits of my serial killer is a cause for constant concern. Could I actually be capable of some horrific act? Do I secretly harbor thoughts of immediate violence? Is my fantasy to bury bodies in the desert? I always reply that most probably Bram Stoker didn’t suck the blood of young women, nor Thomas Harris eat the livers of his victims. Yet I still see the shadow of fear in their eyes.

Odd.
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Thank you Shane for visiting Literary Escapism.

Contest Time! We’re giving away 3 copies of Shane’s novel Worst Nightmares to a lucky commentator and it’s very easy to enter. All you have to do is answer one of these simple questions (or all of them your choice):  What are some memorable characters that you’ve encountered?  Have any creeped you out?  Have you ever wondered how an author came up with that certain personality?

Apologizes to my international readers, the contest is only open to US and Canada residents.

As always, if you want more chances to win, you can post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your answer (yes LE is now on Twitter as well!).  The more places you share it, the more entries you get.

Join the Literary Escapism Facebook page and you’ll get an additional entry (for each page).  Make sure you leave a comment so I know that’s why you’re joining.  Only new readers to the group will be considered.

For 2 additional entries, subscribe to Literary Escapism’s newsletter in the sidebar. This is for new subscribers only.

I’ll determine the winner with help from the Research Randomizer. All entries must be in by midnight on June 2nd.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

25 Comments

  1. I think one character who totally creeped me out (and still does) is Mrs. Coulter from Pullman’s Dark Materials triology. On the surface she is this beautiful woman but as you learn more about her and that daemon monkey she just gives you the shivers. I don’t think I’ve ever forgot about her.

  2. One of the most memorable characters I’ve come across is Ivy from Kim Harrison’s Hollows series. I fascinated by how complex she is. I don’t know that I’ve ever come across someone so at odds with herself.

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    <3,

    Jen

  3. The most memorable character I’ve come across recently is Evelyn Dixon in “A Single Thread” by Marie Bostwick. Not memorable in a creepy sort of way – she’s memorable for me because she is a middle-aged woman who has her whole world turned upside down and has the strength & courage to start a new life for herself.

  4. When I read “With Red Hands” I was totally creeped out by the killer. That’s very shocking because most books/movies don’t have an effect on me like that but I was terrified!

  6. I honestly haven’t wonodered how authors come up with certain personalities. I had worked in the service industry for years as a waitress, bartender, cocktail server, and tour guide, and I met more than my share of story worthy individuals. Not to mention creepy. I figure that some authors just come across someone somwhere and things just come back to them when a type is needed or a story needs and speaks a certain character to the author.

  10. Please enter me in the giveaway. I often wonder how authors come up with some of their characters. The creepiest character is Hannibal Lector. He’s pure evil genius. I read all of the Thomas Harris books. Lector is a very interesting character. You find yourself liking him and admiring his great intelligence. I read the book way before I saw the movie Silence of the Lambs. Now you can’t sepearte the actor Anthony Hopkins from the character in the book. I always am super creeped out when I see that part of the movie with the fava beans. I have subscribed to this blog. Thank you.

  11. I thought that Randall Flagg from The Stand was pretty creepy. It was nearly impossible to hide from him, or hide anything from him. He had his spies, and he knew almost everything. He was Satan in denim and walking boots.

    nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com

  12. I had to read “To Kill a Mockingbird” when I was in junior high. It has been my favorite book since then! The Father/Lawyer, Scout and Boo Radley have always intrigued me. Boo Radley frightened me until I understood his character more.
    Thanks, Cindi

  15. I am a fan on your Facebook Network Page. I left a comment about
    entering this book drawing. Thanks, Cindi

  18. I’ve recently read “DeNiro’s Game” by Rawi Hage and hated the book because neither of the main characters had any redeeming qualities whatsoever in my eyes. They both creeped me out.

  19. I recently read a short story called Serial by Jack Kilborn and Blake Crouch. Donaldson and Lucy seriously creeped my out because kill people in gruesome ways. I don’t even know how the authors got an idea like that.

  21. I just finished reading Perfume: The Story of a Murderer–the main character of which definitely creeped me out!

  23. One of the most memorable characters for me was Pepper from Tobias Buckell’s Crystal Rain, Ragamuffin, and Sly Mongoose. I don’t know how he came up with the character, but I love him. He’s like a superhero for the Caribbean!

    –I stumbled this giveaway here: http://www.stumbleupon.com/url/www.literaryescapism.com/2009/05/26/2646/
    –I blogged about it here: http://wisb.blogspot.com/2009/05/sff-links-book-giveaways-galore.html
    –I tweeted it here: http://twitter.com/shaunduke/statuses/1983525342

    Thanks for the cool giveaway!

  24. I have to say I am a huge fan of Stephen King. He has some of the creepiest main characters ever. He is the “King” of Creep.

  25. One of the most memorable characters to me was Randall Flagg in The Stand. He also scared me a bit. The Tick Tock man just freaked me out though. And both have had the same effects in every other book/story they have appeared in.

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