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Creating Compelling Characters:Getting In Their Heads

In my opinion, one of the hardest parts of writing a novel is creating compelling characters.  Think about it, each of them has to be unique, interesting and most importantly, believable. This week I really struggled with this because I had to write from a demon's perspective.  I asked myself how in the world can I even begin to understand something so evil.  I took a stab at it and after reading the chapter, I'm not sure if I met the aforementioned criteria.

This said, I decided to post an excerpt from my chapter to see what you think.  It would be helpful to know if you  understand what drove the demon/Abaddon to pursue his course of action. Any other thoughts will be welcomed.  Please keep in mind this is an unedited draft. Later I will polish it till it shines, but for now, I just want to know if I'm on the right track.  Also, I'm only posting a few paragraphs because this part of my novel ties up a lot of loose ends.  I don't want to give too much away.  I look forward to your feedback.

 As the Metrorail hurtled toward the Farragut West Terminal in Washington, D.C. , Abaddon watched in open disdain while the couple seated across from him kissed and rubbed on each other. When it came to man’s basic instincts, he was really no different than an animal, acting on impulse, a slave to his desires. Abaddon never understood how his father could love such a foul and revolting species. There was nothing redeeming about man. He broke every rule, embraced every sin and even murdered his savior. Yet, God still insisted he was worthy of honor.

Lucifer and Abaddon saw what their father refused to. Man was an abomination, a mistake which needed to be destroyed.  Some angels agreed, while others did not.  A battle followed and Lucifer's army was cast out of Heaven and forced to live in the realm between Hell and Earth. Lore had reduced the fallen to dark, evil creatures with horns and tails, known as demons. Even the humans feared and looked down on them.


The only thing that helped Abaddon get past the pain and anger of God’s rejection was watching humans embrace evil. Ministers and Rabbi’s blamed temptation and Satan for man’s immoral choices, but Abaddon knew the truth. His father's pride and joy had an insatiable appetite for power and money. God’s grace was wasted on the immoral and corrupt. Now, after more millenniums than he cared to count, the course of Abaddon’s tortured life was about to change. His side would defeat God’s army in battle. Then, Lucifer would reign in a Utopian world free of man and his sins.

Although Abaddon had been preparing for this time since the day he fell, there was still much work to be done. He knew the next phase of the plan would require cunning and charm. Abaddon was about to meet with a human, a sleeper cell who devoted his life to Lucifer and the mission. This part of the operation was key to ensuring the anointed one ascended to his rightful position.

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