Creating Strong Central Characters - Alex Albury in the thriller, In For The Kill
In a previous blog I wrote about my central character in my marine mystery crime series, Inspector Andy Horton . Here I focus on the main character in my thriller novel, In For The Kill , Alex Albury. A strong central character is someone the reader can have empathy with, someone they can sometimes get angry and frustrated with. Someone they can get close to and believe in. As one reader of In For The Kill put it, 'I loved Alex Albury. He didn't always do what I wanted him to do but then that's what makes a good novel.' The author needs to know what has shaped the main character; his background, family, education and experiences. Alex's life had been easy, he had a comfortable upbringing, a doting mother, a wife, two sons, a beautiful house on the River Hamble and a successful business. He had a reputation, love and money until one day the police arrested him for something he didn't do and his life crumbles before him. He loses everything, even, as he...