Roger's Stat Sheet

When you write a novel based on your own experiences, it’s tough to write about the character of “you” without sounding like a pompous ass or total idiot.  I fought over this in my mind constantly during the edits of the manuscript.  How much to put in; how much to leave out?  I got criticized by one early reader who said he couldn’t form a picture of Roger because there were few too details given about his background. That’s why I eventually developed a type of stat sheet for Roger, found on page 2, so that readers will know his height (5’10”) and weight (150); his eye color (olive); his cultural/spiritual background (WASP); and what he’s like in school (a content ‘B’ student who concentrates more on extracurricular activities like student council than hard-core academics).  Family stuff is filled in by the time the guys get to Colorado—showing he feels more affection for his siblings than his parents. The back ‘n forth with Trish on page 182 provides even more:  he’s an Aquarius, favorite color is green, favorite number is 4, and his favorite kid’s toy is Slinky. Aunt Betty provides ancestry details on Day 20:  Roger is equal parts English, Welsh, Irish, and Flemish.  Beyond that, let the actions of the character fill in the rest.  That’s Roger Jonathan Winans, a.k.a. Kenneth Lobb at age seventeen.