How do you find empathy for someone who seems utterly unlikable? If you’ve ever wrestled with this question, then you’re in for a thought-provoking season opener of the Have a Cup of Johanny podcast! In this episode, I’m diving deep into the intricate process of character development by exploring Bianca, the protagonist of my upcoming novel, Under the Flamboyant Tree. Her path from being lost and misunderstood to becoming someone relatable and even inspiring is a journey that mirrors the struggles many of us face in life.
Bianca isn’t just a character I wrote; she represents parts of myself that I’ve struggled to understand and accept. Writing her story wasn’t easy. There were moments of frustration, countless rewrites, and times when I questioned whether she could ever become someone readers would root for. Yet, the process of uncovering her layers was like peeling back my own. Through Bianca, I learned that even the most seemingly unlikable characters—just like the most seemingly unlikable parts of ourselves—deserve understanding.
In this episode, I share personal stories and reflections on how my own journey through therapy helped me empathize with Bianca’s flawed yet resilient nature. Therapy wasn’t just a tool for self-discovery—it became a lens through which I could see Bianca’s motivations, fears, and desires more clearly. These sessions allowed me to dig deeper into her character, revealing the raw and honest emotions that make her so compelling. Bianca’s struggle with her identity, her painful past, and her quest for belonging are all real issues that many of us can relate to, even if we don’t want to admit it.
Join me as I navigate the emotional and psychological complexities that shaped Bianca’s character. From the frustration of writing and rewriting her story to those breakthrough moments of empathy and understanding, this episode will give you an inside look at how Bianca’s journey evolved. My goal is to show you how this difficult-to-love character transforms into someone you can genuinely root for. And if you stick with us through the month of September and beyond, you’ll not only see Bianca’s transformation but might just find a piece of yourself in her story too.
Don’t forget, my other works also feature strong Dominican characters facing unique challenges, filled with the same emotional depth and complexity that I bring to Bianca’s story. If you love characters that push the boundaries and confront life’s hardest questions, you’ll find them here.
Tune in every Wednesday for new episodes of the Have a Cup of Johanny podcast, where we explore growth, empathy, and the power of storytelling. 🌳✨
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