Creating Reader Identification

Don’t confuse reader identification with creating likable characters. That’s
one way of getting your reader to identify with your characters, but not the
only way. And maybe even not the best way.

Here’s the bottom line: something in your character has to resonate or
enthrall the reader at some gut level. What is human in your character has to
touch that same quality in your reader.

You’ve got to do that within the first few paragraphs. Preferably in the first
paragraph. No warm up time, no throat clearing. In a sense, it’s part of
hooking the reader, but on a different level. The hooks we talked about in
the last chapter are meant to intrigue your reader’s mind or emotions. This
one’s all about ego. It’s about, “What happens to the character happens to
ME!” It operates on a very different level.

How exactly does one do that? Not an easy thing. Start by realizing that
people are not all good or all bad.

That’s not just gratuitous philosophy. It’s a place to start with creating
identification. Let me repeat the above: What is human in your character
has to touch that same quality in your reader.
 
So. Create a human quality in your character early on, something that your
reader can identify with.

How? As always -- stay tuned. Specific techniques tomorrow.  Or if you can't stand
to wait, go check out First Pages at BAMWriters.com