Crystal Collier-- Moonless--Character Weaknesses

Crystal Collier is here today to talk about her book, Moonless. It looks AWESOME, and I can't wait to read it. Crystal is also going to talk a bit about character weaknesses. I love this idea because to me, it's the weaknesses that make our characters real. 

Character Weaknesses

First of all, thank you so much for having me here today, Jessie!

After completing an interview recently, I realized I like characters often more for their weaknesses than their strengths. For instance, in Moonless I love these aspects about my characters:

Alexia’s unsure of her place in the world.

Kiren thinks he’s always right—because he knows way more than he should.

Bellezza kills people. All the time. And loves it.

Sarah’s a flirt.

Miles is pretty much socially inept.

On the reverse side, each of these characters have some strong and very redeeming qualities:

Alexia faces her fears. She recognizes her own naiveté from a lifetime of sheltering, but she isn’t afraid to step into the dark and embrace the possibilities.

Kiren would give his very soul to protect those he associates with, and has sacrificed all for the sake of others. His compassion endears him to me.

Bellezza is gung ho in her cause, even when it means breaking laws. Her determination gets me.

Sarah knows how to laugh off the awful things in life.

Miles loves deeper than anyone. He’s learned from a lifetime of patterning that to truly love someone, you have to put their happiness before your own.

I suppose there has to be a balance for a character to resonate with you, but how do you weigh in? Do you love characters for their weaknesses?

Short Description: Jane Eyre meets Supernatural.

Alexia’s nightmares become reality: a dead baron, red-eyed wraiths, and forbidden love with a man hunted by these creatures. After an attack close to home, Alexia realizes she cannot keep one foot in her old life and one in this new world. To protect her family she must either be sold into a loveless marriage, or escape with her beloved and risk becoming one of the Soulless. 

Author Bio: Crystal Collier, author of MOONLESS, is a former composer/writer for Black Diamond Productions. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.