Guest Author Day with Kelvyn Fernandes

Guest Post: Unshackling Characters from the Plot to Let Them Carry it Forward by Kelvyn Fernandes 

Hi, my name is Kelvyn Fernandes, author of The Many Adventures of Peter and Fi. When writing, it’s important to have a goal for your story; a central theme that the plot is striving towards that ties the narrative together. Whether it’s a story of friendship and family, a tale of adventure and loss, a parable of hardship and triumph, the overarching theme must be interwoven throughout the plot, the settings, and of course, the characters. 

But things don’t always go as planned. Characters that you create grow and evolve as the story progresses. As they interact with each other and their environment, chapter by chapter they begin to change and discover who they are. And oftentimes, they no longer mesh with your narrative. Their goals, their ambitions, their personalities, no longer fit with the story you want to tell. You encounter this issue where the characters wouldn’t actually want to carry out the plot you’ve already set out for them. As you let them invade your daydreams, let them lull you to sleep, let them colour your pages with their conversations, they change. And now they want to do something else entirely. The solution: let them. 

The best stories are driven by their characters, not their plots. The stories that you hold close to your heart, the ones that you keep coming back to years later, aren’t the ones with the diabolical schemes or convoluted adventures. They’re the ones with the intriguing, relatable, compelling characters that go on those adventures. As an author, I believe you can only really create the foundation for a character. Once that base is formed, you then can take them on a journey to discover who they truly are. 

When I started writing Peter and Fi, I honestly had no idea what I wanted my characters goals to be. I knew the relationship I wanted them to have and I knew how I wanted their powers and abilities to evolve, but I was lost as to what their purpose should be. I didn’t know what compelled them to go forward. For Peter specifically, I tossed so many ideas around; ideas that took him to many different places. But none of those paths stuck. It always felt like he wouldn’t actually be interested in that, or else he wouldn’t really have the motivation or passion to pursue that goal. The plots I wanted to pursue did not fit the character I had created. 

So instead, I simply picked a starting point, and allowed Peter to dictate the story, step by step. How would he handle this challenge? How would he respond to this character? And soon, a logical path developed. As he took each step forward, a flurry of newfound memories and details began filling his past. And soon, I had a goal for Peter, stronger, and more entwined with who he was than any that had come before it. 

Do not be afraid to destroy your plot. Oftentimes we pick a destination and are so resolute about reaching it, that we make a mess of things along the way. It’s fine to meander. It’s okay to diverge from your goals. It’s alright if you want to explore new ideas half way through the journey. It’s not the plot, but the characters that you must stay true to along the way. 

The Many Adventures of Peter and Fi Volume I: Homecoming Blurb and Excerpt 

Follow Peter and Fi as they work together, each searching for something uniquely special to them through the four kingdoms of their known world. It’s a tale of fantastical beasts, peculiar characters, remarkable settings, and a unique brand of biochemistry-based magic. A story that focuses on meaningful character interactions, delicate world building, and intense action battles.

 She emerged within a dark sea of green, shielding her eyes against the crescent moon’s pale blaze. The twinkling stars hummed softly, discordant against the chattering birds below. The lush leaves rippled in the breeze, tempting Fi to dip her toes in for a swim. The wind blew at her back and she turned east to face it. The fresh air carried the salty spray of the Shimmering Sea. Although she could not see it, she knew it was right there. Her ears caught the distant waves crashing against the shore. One last step, she thought. 

Buy Links 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Many-Adventures-Peter-Fi-Homecomingebook/dp/B07LCYMSM6 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-many-adventures-of-peter-and-fi-volume-ihomecoming

Author Bio 

Kelvyn Fernandes decided to follow his dream of becoming an author after graduating from McMaster University with a degree in Biochemistry. He enjoys travelling and going on adventures, with his favourite pastime being back-country canoeing in Algonquin Park. He uses both his experiences with nature and education in the sciences to shape the world of the stories he writes. 

Social Media 
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/peterandfi/ 
Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/PeterandFi/ 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeterandFi
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterandfiofficial/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeterandFi/