character lists

Ever wonder how historical series writers keep it all lined up? Character lists provide help for those of us without amazing logistical skills where tons of facts can be instantly attained at a moment of need. Character lists are helpful even when there is only one book. 

Once in awhile I have even given my hero and heroine a birth month based on the characteristics portrayed and which astrology sign makes that most likely. For those of you with no interest or knowledge of astrology, you might be surprised how often the time when one is born can tell a lot about natural traits. The reason for that is not clear to me, but just I have often seen it to be so. Do not confuse a birth chart with horoscopes.

Below is an example of one from my Arizona historical character lists. It has been added onto as books were written and characters added. When I start writing any book, I add in the new characters and their births-- maybe even deaths of some older people-- death is part of life unwilling as we are to see it come to those we love. 

I have had some reservations about sharing with readers these character lists mainly because if a reader hasn't read the books, the list gives away what will happen. Of course, romance readers already know a HEA is guaranteed. For those of you who don't read my books, this is mostly to give you an idea of what you can do if you ever decide to write stories that follow a family through many years. As the little image says, these books go from 1883 to 1906 or will go to 1906 when the last one is out.

On this list, some of these characters never became more than secondary ones but when putting together a character list, it's better to add them in case somewhere down the line, they get their own book. It happens. I do a second such list that has the basics of each major character in any book I am writing. This doesn't require birth dates but personalities and interactions. Some call this kind of information the bible as such are done for screen plays.

CHARACTER LIST FOR ARIZONA HISTORICALS

1837          Charles Provo (exact date and place uncertain)
1838          Jeremiah Taggert b. Illinois; James Redman b. Iowa

1839          -

1840                Rose Jarred b. Missouri

1841                --

1842                --

1843                Roman Alexander Oliver b. Kansas

1844                Raul Cordova b. Mexico

1845                Robert Mitchell b. New York

1846                –

1847                Delbert Sicilla b. West Virginia

1848                –

1849                Maria Jacinta b. Mexico

1850                Constance Banyon b. Maryland

1851                Wei Song b. California

1852                Samuel Ryker (O’Brian) b. Kansas

1853                --

1854                Cordell O’Brian b. Kansas

1855                Joseph Coburn b. Missouri

1856                ---

1857                James Redman m. Rose Jarrod Missouri; Clint Adams b. Nebraska

1858                Abigail Spenser b. Illinois

1859                --

1860                Vincent Coburn b. Kansas; Frances Johnson (Oliver) b. Kansas

1861                Priscilla Wesley b. Georgia

1862                --

1863                Ellen Buchanan b. Texas

1864                --

1865                --

1866                Asa Taggert b. Utah; Rafael Cordova b. Mexico

1867                Cole Taggert b. Utah

1868                Jesse Taggert b. Utah

1869                Juan Cordova b. Mexico m. Josita;

1870                Raquel Cordova b. Mexico  d. 1869

1871                –

1872                James Angus b. Illinois

1873                Felipe Valencia b. Arizona

1874                Clint Madison b. Illinois

1875                Eliza Wallace b. California

1876                Gabriel Cordova b. Arizona; Holly Jacobs b. Illinois

1877                Grace O’Brian b. Kansas

1878                Anita Cordova b. Arizona

1879                Alexa Johnson (Oliver) b. Kansas; Lily Jacobs b. Illinois

1880                Wei Zian b. Arizona

1881                –

1882                Sam & Abigail meet June and m. June and Nov. Tombstone

1883                –

1884                David Ryker b. Circle R Ranch

1885                Priscilla & Cord talk; Grace arrives in Tucson

1886                cabin—Jan; earthquake May 3; marriage—July

1887                Alice Ryker b. Circle R Ranch

1888                Jesse O’Brian b. Circle O Ranch; Raquel Valencia b. Tucson

1889                Daniel Cordova b. Circle O Ranch Jan.

1890                Ellen m. Robert Mitchell; Jose Valencia b. Tucson

1891                Alica O’Brian b. August Circle O

1892                Roberto Cordova b. December Tucson

1893                Grace leaves for back East; Royce Johnson (Oliver) b. Kansas

1894                –

1895                James Redman dies Feb. Tucson; James O’Brian b. Circle O, July

1896                –

1897                Rafe Joins Rough Riders; Margarita Valencia b. Tucson

1898                Rafe mustered out Feb. 15; Grace returns to Tucson June; Marries Rafe Sept.

1899                Donovan Cordova b. November Tucson on the Cordova Ranch; Rose Redman m.Roman Oliver. Tucson

1900               Holly Jacobs meets Vince Coburn in April – marries in July.

1901                Jesse marries Lily

1902                Tyler Taggert b. March- son of Vincent: Joshua Taggert b. April- son of Jesse

1903        -

1904        -

1905        -