Characters–the good, the bad, the ugly (yes, I know), but there is a continuum of moral behavior where all characters fall from totally moral to absolutely immoral. At those extremes, these characters are basically flat and unbelievable. Even Darth Vader had, in the end, some redeeming values for all his dark and hateful behavior. And Vader also came from a place of hope and love. It was succumbing to the darkness of total immersion in his grief that led to the negative archetype of the Star Wars saga. The end of “The Return of the Jedi” nods at Vader’s redemption, and even to most ardent Star Wars fans smiled, nodded, and said “yeah, I get it.”
That is my approach to my antagonist of “Waking in Sheol.” He wasn’t born biting down on his momma’s teat out of spite. We was a good son, a good man, and a good husband and father. Yet, by the time we are in the heart of the story, I hope I have successfully led him down a logical, yet dark, path–not evil.
What is this continuum I mentioned? Let’s look at the top of the scale, shall we? The pure hero, the almost demigod, bumps up against the top of the moral behavior identifier. At the bottom of the scale, with almost total immoral behavior, sit the Super Villain. Just to be clear, I have neither of those characters in my story. Between the two extremes are three classes of characters along a scale of infinite points to identify my characters. From basically good, but not perfect to basically evil, but not unredeemable. These classes are the sympathetic protagonist, the anti- hero, and the villain. Such characters can be as layered and complicated as I wish to make them.
Having become somewhat acquainted with Photoshop as a photographer, one of my favorite functions is the layers panel. To any base file, I can add, one layer at a time, different aspects of what becomes the final image. I intend to add, one layer at a time, to each of my characters, offering complex figures. Some may have similar backgrounds, but different experiences that will influence who they are at any point in the narrative. Some of their characteristics exist when we meet them, and their characteristics will evolve, as with each of us. I hope you will enjoy their journeys as much as I. Come along with me as we learn hate, and love, the cast of “Waking in Sheol.”
M. Alden Phillips - Author
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