Developing the Fictional Mary Shirley

The real Mary Shirley turned thirteen in 1775. Her birth date is recorded in family records as February 17, 1762. Although birth years for Mary’s younger siblings vary across websites, Mary’s date remains consistent and undisputed. She was the firstborn child of Michael and Catherine Shirley. I chose the most reliable birth dates for the Shirley family at the time of my research in 2008.

Mary’s role as the eldest child gave her a greater burden to be responsible, dutiful, and at times authoritarian with her younger siblings. According to an article on Parents website, “How Birth Order Affects Your Child’s Personality and Behavior” by Jocelyn Voo, Mary would be like other “leader of the pack, firstborns,” who “often tend to be:”

• Reliable
• Conscientious
• Structured
• Cautious
• Controlling
• Achievers

Source Citation. Voo, J. “How Birth Order Affects Your Child’s Personality and Behavior”. Parents. Accessed 20 January 2017. 

Having raised three, close-in-age daughters, I can surmise Mary would sometimes resent the extra pressure to be perfect. However, she would expect it of herself. The achiever personality is usually self-reliant and determined to succeed at all costs. Being cautious would lend itself to being protective. The eldest child would most likely notice anything out of kilter with the parents or normal routine.

Mary’s real-life survival story when she was a young mother of eighteen, inspired me to delve into her teen years as the American Revolution exploded and changed normal life forever.

To flesh out Mary’s character arc, as well as her family members’, I created a worksheet with these main points:

• Name/s
• Role in Story
• Residence/Time period
• Appearance
• Mannerisms
• Personality/Type/Issues
• Beliefs that Drive
• Greatest Desire
• Inciting Incident
• External Conflicts
• Internal Conflicts
• Story Activation
• Story Resolution
• How Will Character Be Changed Forever?

Mary’s Character Arc

Defiance on Indian Creek  Mary struggles with her papa’s secretive behavior and how his actions are threating the family’s safety. She wants everything to return to normal. Mary’s character arc as a firstborn, reveals her struggle of letting go of control, trusting her papa, and accepting inevitable change. When asked to deliver life-saving documents she deems traitorous, she has only one real choice—loyalty to Papa. As the story concludes, Mary is determined to trust Papa’s leadership. She desires to treat her siblings with more respect and help her family survive the dangerous trip to Kentucky territory.

Fleeing the Shadows  Mary tries to be optimistic about the move but can’t shake the guilt of revealing Papa’s and William McGuire’s identity to the Loyalist who seek their lives. But she rises to the challenge of helping her younger siblings traverse harrowing paths, creeks, rivers, and rough forts. When Papa spurns the warnings to wait for the Boone party before continuing toward the gap, Mary questions his lack of concern. Once again, her senses are on high alert for danger. Fear, sorrow, and, excruciating pain must be conquered if she’s to save the lives of her family above her own.

Warrior on the Western Waters  Mary learns of a loyalist’s plot against the fort, but no one believes her until William McGuire comes. She enjoys learning more about him and daydreams of a future courtship. After William leaves for scout duty, the traitor kidnaps Mary. Shawnee takes her to a village. Without hope of a rescue until spring, she adapts to Shawnee ways. But when she is falsely of accused of murder and betrayed, Mary must escape or become the wife of a vile white trader. She is determined to survive the dangerous Western Waters to reunite with those she loves.

Palisades of the Heart  Mary and her family return to Indian Creek. This time they will live near Cooks Fort. She anticipates seeing William McGuire again. She’s interested in being his wife someday with one condition—she’ll never return to Kentucky territory. A Shawnee warrior threatened her if she did. Her emotions waver between marrying the man who loves her and plans to move to Williamsburg, or marrying the man she loves who dreams of raising fast horses in Kentucky. She must face her fears head on. 

If you’ve read my books, I’d love your feedback.

How did I do with character development?

What did you like/dislike?