Secrets/Truth/Reddie Fanfic- Behind the Stories

The Making of the Characters pt.1

The first few pages are going to be a deeper look at the main characters! I hope you enjoy...

Eddie Kaspbrak.

When I thought about Eddie's character I wanted to focus on his softer, mama-bear side and not as much on his hypochondriac antics. He narrates Secrets, and I chose him for a few reasons.

          -He was the new kid in town and his eyes were fresh. I wanted the supporting characters to be seen through his eyes, and only have little influence from the others. Because everyone is so complex and layered, I wanted your first impressions of them to be the same as Eddie's. If Richie narrated, you'd go in with all this excess knowledge. I wanted both you and Eddie to experience and learn about them as it goes along, not all at once.

          -Another reason for his narrating is because he is by far the most understanding character in the series. I didn't want to have any specific antagonists, so with Eddie being the brain you read through, it theoretically allows you to be understanding.

Some key aspects of designing him, and what makes Eddie who he is.

          -Him and his mother, which is a huge topic in Stephen King's It, barely exists in this. When he entered Derry he had finished family therapy and now has a healthier relationship with his mother. I wanted to add that because obviously you went into this knowing Eddie's mom as the over-bearing type, so I thought it was important to explain how and why that has been squashed.

          -Eddie does not have a bad bone in his body, but at the same time he is realistic. When it comes to those he loves he gives multiple chances all of the time, which stems from the nurturing side of him. When he gets mad at Richie he acts reasonably, but also is very forgiving. Since he has such a big heart, just as his mother wanted to protect him, he wants to do the same for Richie.

          -His sexuality is never labelled by him, and there's a reason behind why that is. One of the most eye opening moments for him is during the first book in the chapter Impurities. When he talks to Cassie about her own sexuality, or lack thereof, it resonates with him for a reason. In narration, Eddie even goes as far as saying "nothing I have ever heard made clearer sense." He is young, and experiencing things for the first time, so I don't want him to be figured out. He's learning and growing throughout the entirety of the series. Of course, he likes boys but I don't want that to be all he is. There are moments throughout where he mentions girls bodies, the way they move, the way they feel, etc. Does that mean he likes girls? Not exactly, it just means he's figuring himself out as he goes.

          -The same uncertainty arises during sex with Richie. Certain things Richie does, or wants to do, confuses him. Once again, this is because he is young and still discovering himself. This is all of the characters coming of age years, and Eddie is by the far the most naive out of everyone.

What do you think of Eddie? Has he ever done things or said things that left you confused? How do you want to see him grow as Truth continues? What has been your favorite and least favorite Eddie moments? Let me know!

Richie Tozier.

By far one of the most complex characters in the entire series. As the stories go, you learn a lot about his background and his very eccentric brain. Richie is so layered, which is something I enjoy most about him from a writer's perspective. First, I want to talk about hidden details that make him who he is.

          -His parents affect a huge part of who he is, and for the worst. When you meet Richie, and even to date, he strives to uphold a certain image which stems from the insecurity and lack of validation his family has given him his whole life. Richie puts on an act nearly always, unless he is with Cassie or Eddie, because he fears disapproval from his peers almost in an unhealthy way. He also mentions self-harming a few times throughout the story, which is another issue he seems to face. Fighting with himself internally, seeking validation and love are all things he is constantly battling.