Crafting Characters
Who Have Special Needs
by Kortney Price
Holloway Literary Agency
In my submission interests I list that I am always
interested in work containing special needs characters. Why? Because I grew up
working in the special needs community (Check out
TASK!).
This community has taught and inspired me so much over the years and I
want to give back and help them to be heard and understood. Because I want
others who don’t feel comfortable around people with special needs to have the
opportunity to learn through books and experience the same wonderful community.
When we include characters who are different from ourselves
in our stories, we have to keep in mind that they cannot be defined as
different. They have to be that puzzle piece that fits perfectly into your
story to create the big picture you want readers to see. So, if you’re creating
special needs characters in your story, here are a couple of tips I’ve picked
up along the way.
1)
Disability
is Not a Definition. Focus on the Individual
When you’re
crafting a special needs character make sure you’re not defining them by their
disability. We already know that characters need flaws, strengths, goals and a
voice to feel well rounded. The same goes for special needs characters. Who are they as a person? That should be your focus.
2)
Research,
Research, Research
You’re
going to be researching for some element of your story anyway, why not really
get to know what’s happening in your character’s brain or body? The human brain
is like a computer. People with certain special needs have brains that run on a
different operating system than what you might be used to. Really learning
about how your character’s brain runs will help you to create a well-rounded
character both in your head and on the page.
3)
Know Why Your character is Present
Every character in your story has to
have a purpose. If your protagonist has a little brother or sister with special
needs, make sure they have a purpose in your story. If you don’t give your
characters a purpose you run the risk of your story becoming cluttered or having
characters who only serve to diversify your story rather than express theme or
move the plot.
If you are working on writing a story featuring those in the
special needs community, check out these links for lists of award winning books
featuring characters with a variety of special needs.
If you’re looking for reliable resources in your research,
check out this awesome
list
of sources on the Autism Speaks website, the Department of Mental Health’s
website, or try heading out to volunteer and spend
some time with the special needs community in your area.
Call for Submissions:
I’m currently looking for manuscripts in the middle grade to
new adult range. If you have a story featuring special needs characters and
would like to submit to our agency, check out our submission guidelines
here.
WIN a free critique with Associate Agent Kortney Price:
If you share your comments on this blog by March 31st, you'll be entered to win a critique with Ms. Price. If you're the winner, you can submit up to 10 pages of a manuscript that fits her call for submissions and get a written critique of your work.
Share Your Thoughts:
What are your thoughts on the portrayals of characters with special needs in children's and young adult literature? Are such portrayals important? How so? Which books do an excellent job? Which don't? Why? Come join the discussion and enter the chance to win a free critique.
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