Writing About: A Character’s Secret

Revealing a character’s secret(s) is always fun and exciting. You can’t wait to drop the massive bombshell and mind-screw (yes, screw) your readers.

There are a few ways I can think of how a writer can reveal a character’s secrets.

1.    Let your character blurt it out! This is by far the easiest method and the one that will ensure the biggest shock to both your readers and your characters. 

2.    Tell your readers, but keep the secret from the other characters and let them uncover it on their own. Don’t forget to build the tension as the suspicious character comes closer to the truth.

3.    Draw it out. This method utilizes suspense and mystery, but it also takes the most work because neither the characters nor your readers know the secret. You can hint at a secret, but don’t tell what it is until the perfect time comes for you to spill the beans, or for another character to uncover it. 

But every secret must follow these three rules:

1.    The secret needs to relate to the story you’re telling; it has to have a purpose. 

2.    The secret has to follow what the plot is already doing; it shouldn’t all of a sudden divert from the plot and create another story line.

3.    The secret should tell your readers more about the character so they can understand him/her more, and it has to make sense with what they already know about that character!

Whatever secret your character has, it has to influence the outcome of the story. Otherwise what’s the point? After all, if you spend the time creating and revealing it then you and your characters shouldn’t forget about it.

TIP: Show the impact of the secret once it’s out. What are the other characters’ reactions when they find out this secret? Are they angry the secret was kept from them? Do they become vengeful? Do they cry with pity or horror because the secret is devastating?

QUESTIONS: Did/does one of your characters have a secret? How did/will you reveal it?


**BONUS** And just for this post I will share one of my own secrets. No, it's not that I have my GED. I've mentioned that before. No, it's not my obsession with Jeff Hardy. I dedicated a whole nerdy post about that: It's Okay to be Nerdy! What I'm going to reveal is a new secret. ARE YOU READY? *Drum Roll* I have a tattoo. Yup, I'm inked. I have a pretty dragonfly on my arm. :)

REVEAL: A secret about you! Go ahead. We're all friends here. :)