Tips to Make Characters Come Alive
Although these tips are mainly for writers, I find that when I read a novel, I often become so involved in the story that "I am" a main character.
These techniques can help both writers and serious readers identify with a character.
1. Make a list of adjectives that describe your character. Use a thesaurus for words you may not think of off the top of your head.
2. Spend two hours "being" your character. Do whatever you are doing normally, but try to think like your character. Get inside his or her skin.
3. Write up questions and interview your character. Be "in character" when you answer.
4. Ask a friend or family member of the character to describe him or her, and write down the answers that come to you.
5. Describe your character on a typical day -- down to the underwear. Include hair, grooming, how many pairs of shoes he or she tries on before going out the door. Everything!
Spend enough time with you character and he or she will be as real as your best friend. In fact, the character may be your best friend, at least for a while.
These techniques can help both writers and serious readers identify with a character.
1. Make a list of adjectives that describe your character. Use a thesaurus for words you may not think of off the top of your head.
2. Spend two hours "being" your character. Do whatever you are doing normally, but try to think like your character. Get inside his or her skin.
3. Write up questions and interview your character. Be "in character" when you answer.
4. Ask a friend or family member of the character to describe him or her, and write down the answers that come to you.
5. Describe your character on a typical day -- down to the underwear. Include hair, grooming, how many pairs of shoes he or she tries on before going out the door. Everything!
Spend enough time with you character and he or she will be as real as your best friend. In fact, the character may be your best friend, at least for a while.
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