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Relationship Dynamics:Explore how the character’s condition affects their relationships with others, including any support systems, and how it informs their interactions and emotional connections.

4. Agency and Empowerment

Active Protagonists:Characters with chronic illnesses or disabilities should be portrayed as active protagonists of their own stories, making decisions, experiencing growth, and driving the plot, rather than being passive figures.

Empowerment:Highlight their agency, skills, and contributions, showing that they are capable and multifaceted individuals. Their journey can include overcoming obstacles but also many other achievements unrelated to their condition.

5. Sensitivity and Respect

Sensitivity Readers:Engaging sensitivity readers who have personal experience with the condition you’re writing about can provide invaluable insights and help avoid unintentional harm or misrepresentation.

Respectful Language:Use language that respects the dignity of individuals with disabilities, preferring person-first language (“person with a disability”) or identity-first language, depending on individual preference (as seen in some communities, such as the deaf community).

6. Incorporating the Illness or Disability into the Plot

Integral to the Story:While the character’s condition should not be their only defining feature, it can play a significant role in the plot. Consider how it influences their motivations, the obstacles they face, and their problem-solving approaches.

Avoid Magical Cures:Be cautious of narratives that unrealistically “cure” the character’s condition, which can undermine the authenticity of their experience and the reality of living with chronic conditions or disabilities.

7. Diverse Perspectives and Voices

Multiple Representations:Recognize that there is no single narrative for any illness or disability. Including diverse representations can help showcase a wider range of experiences and counteract stereotypes.

8. Positive Representation

Empathy and Understanding:Aim to foster empathy and understanding through your portrayal, contributing positively to societal perceptions of chronic illness and disability.

By approaching characters with chronic illness or disability with care, research, and respect, you can create rich, nuanced portrayals that resonate with readers, contribute to representation, and enrich your storytelling.

Always keep in mind that the tone of the cozy mystery novel is light and frequently humorous, which means your protagonist must be an active and engaging—sometimes genuinely funny—guide.

Regardless of the challenges and obstacles they’ve faced in getting to the place where your story begins, a well-written cozy protagonist will have a relatable personality and a distinct voice. A voice that readers recognize as that of a friend.

Ideally, readers come to love that voice and that character—and look forward to sharing each and every one of their adventures.

Exercise: Charting a Cozy Mystery Character Arc

Here’s a step-by-step exercise to chart out a character arc in a cozy mystery, designed to help you explore and develop your protagonist’s journey in detail.

Step 1: Define the Ordinary World

Description:Start by describing your protagonist’s normal life before the mystery begins. What is their profession? What are their hobbies? Who are the people in their life?

Exercise:Write a short paragraph detailing a day in the life of your protagonist before the story starts. Figure out their journey to recognizing or accepting their sexual identity. (This is foryourbenefit. It probably won’t play a role in the story.)

Step 2: Identify the Call to Adventure

Description:Determine the event that draws your protagonist into the mystery. This should disrupt their ordinary world in some significant way.

Exercise:Create a scenario where your protagonist encounters the mystery for the first time. What are their initial thoughts or feelings about it?

Step 3: Outline Trials and Tribulations

Description:Think about the obstacles, challenges, and conflicts your protagonist will face while solving the mystery. Include both external conflicts (with suspects or situations) and internal conflicts (doubts, fears).

Exercise:List at least three significant challenges your protagonist will encounter and how they plan to overcome them.

Step 4: Growth and Discovery