Falling in love with your characters

Naked in Ten Photos

Image description: pink blooms on a small tree and the contasting deep green grass.

I'm rewriting the darkroom scene in Naked in Ten Photos. I had this idea I would write it from Linden's point of view instead of Rachel's. But I don't like it that way. I am going to try to rewrite from Rachel's point of view.

Writing from Linden's perspective has made me curious about them. In the opening scene, shared with paid subscribers, I was surprised to learn that this quiet, introspective character did drag. Red Riding Hood's red cape showed up as the article of clothing that Rachel wore during the photo shoot. Something Linden brought for her, one of their own pieces of clothing.

In this new scene, we learn that Linden lives above a bar where they do their drag performances. We learn of the bar owner, Magnet who took them in when they left a troubled home.

I already love Linden. I feel.tebder towards them. I think of non-binary friends. I think of where beauty and defiance come from. I think of survival when faced with great pain and suffering. I think of childhood destroyed by rotten parents who break the trust they are endowed with to hurt their children.

I was expecting Rachel's story to come out, and I suspect it will. But here is Linden. I care for them. I will see where their intense and quiet resilience takes the story.

Do you fall in love with your characters? Do they reveal their stories to you? I'd love to know.