About Quote by Tess Gerritsen
“Because I never plan anything out ahead of time, I'm always in the process of learning about my characters. Without a biographical sketch to guide me, I discover things about my heroines as the stories unfold. Only in 'Body Double' did I discover that Maura's mother was a serial killer.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Body Double by Tess Gerritsen, 2005
The author discovers character details organically through storytelling rather than pre‑planning, allowing unexpected traits to emerge.
In simple terms: Characters reveal themselves during the writing process.
Key Takeaway
Embrace improvisation in character development.
Themes
creativity
character development
storytelling
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
advice
inspirational
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- novel drafting
- screenwriting
- role‑playing games
Key Concepts
spontaneity
emergent narrative
character depth
Questions to Reflect On
- How does improvisation affect plot cohesion?
- What methods can you use to integrate discovered traits?
A Different Perspective
Unplanned development may lead to inconsistencies if not later refined.
