As the title of this article notes, I will be spotlighting my second main character: Chris Walker. Unlike Aaron Summers, Chris Walker is an entirely different character to write. He was actually the more challenging of the two male protagonists.
The history around writing Chris is not dissimilar to how I wrote Aaron. Like Aaron, crafting Chris and his personality, his relationship with his friends and family, and his whole arc throughout the story is still an ongoing process, even as I near the end of writing my first draft. However, through the process of writing Chris’ character, God has actually shown me several characteristics I share with Chris even if I didn’t realize it.
Chris as a character within the story has really grown on me. He not only shares several characteristics that I myself have, but it’s the fact that unlike Aaron, he has people around him who are willing to call him out on either how he’s acting or just get him to understand that what he thought was true wasn’t true at all. Additionally, Chris has a really interesting dynamic with several side characters who I introduced unexpectedly in the second act of my WIP.
Like Aaron, the main theme of the relationship between child and parents is central to Chris’ story and as you can see through the aesthetic board, there are several elements that make of facets of his time throughout the story. Familial Relationships, especially those rooted between a child and their parents is important for me and one of the main driving forces around this project.
What I find most fascinating about writing Chris’ story is that he is sorta like a mirror to Aaron’s journey throughout the story. This is something I didn’t know about until now, as I’m nearing the end of writing the first draft.
“Familial Relationships, especially those rooted between a child and their parents is important for me and one of the main driving forces around this project.“
By writing Chris’ story through the process of the various drafts, what I pray Chris becomes is not only a fully-realized character from start to finish but that he resonates with people. They see parts of themselves in Chris. Additionally, what I find most fascinating about Chris’ character arc is that, like the Prodigal Son from the Bible, he comes to realize that what he thought he wanted wasn’t what he needed.
Chris’ wants and needs are something that even I’m still learning about even as I finish up the story.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know more about Chris.
What was the most interesting part from the character spotlight?
God Bless,
Joshua Reid
The Wandering Scribe 