Texture of Us (Holly Schindler)

 I've been studying abstract art lately, and one of the words that keeps popping up is texture. 

Often, texture finds its way onto a painting through multiple layers. 

Often, texture finds its way into our writing (and especially our characters) in the same way. 

I don't necessarily mean multiple drafts (though, to be sure, multiple drafts help). I mean our characters need multiple aspects to their personalities. 

For example: Is your character funny? What happens when they go just a teeny step too far and wind up hurting a friend's feelings? How do they react? Do they shrug it off? Make fun of that person's hurt feelings? Apologize? Feel bad? 

Suddenly, with one single misstep, we begin to see all sort of different angles to that character. That character doesn't seem single-note (or single color). There are different shades, different shapes. 

Want the reader to get a full view of your main character? Have them make a mistake. Then show their response to that mistake. You'll be amazed at the results it can produce. 

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Holly Schindler is the author of The Junction of Sunshine and Lucky