How I develop my characters...
WORD FOR THIS POST:
Characterization (n):1.portrayal; description: the actor's characterization of a politician.
2.the act of characterizing. 3.the creation and convincing representation of fictitious characters Some characters are easier to develop than others. While there are many books on how to make your characters believable, this is my approach:) 1. I stalk family members, friends and co-workers and write their little quirks, habits, accents, phrases they use. They don't know but I'm watching all the time (well, I guess they know now if they read this). 2. I figure out what role they will play in the story. - Are they the protagonist or antagonist. - Are they in the main story or the back story - Do they have an occupation, hidden talents 3. I think about what they look like and who they are- their sense of fashion- physical description including scars, posture, crooked teeth etc...- personality, fears, accomplishments, goals (these may change as the story develops)- habits/mannerisms (ie: chewing a thumb, fixing their hair, snapping fingers) 4. I think about their background and what made them who they are- how do they relate to the other characters and their surroundings- what kinds of conflicts can I expect from their background, what they've been taught, how they were raised
That's pretty much the gist of it. Some characters come alive immediately and take over. Their names come to me right away and it feels like I've known them once in a past life. Others need a little work and nurturing. I feel like a mother all over again raising her babies.
Do you have a secret to developing your characters?
p.s. I've completed 6/26 posts for the A-Z Challenge. They are not in any particular order, I pretty much wrote for the letter that popped into my head. I hope to have another three done tonight. Have you joined yet? Are you ready and excited?
Characterization (n):1.portrayal; description: the actor's characterization of a politician.
2.the act of characterizing. 3.the creation and convincing representation of fictitious characters Some characters are easier to develop than others. While there are many books on how to make your characters believable, this is my approach:) 1. I stalk family members, friends and co-workers and write their little quirks, habits, accents, phrases they use. They don't know but I'm watching all the time (well, I guess they know now if they read this). 2. I figure out what role they will play in the story. - Are they the protagonist or antagonist. - Are they in the main story or the back story - Do they have an occupation, hidden talents 3. I think about what they look like and who they are- their sense of fashion- physical description including scars, posture, crooked teeth etc...- personality, fears, accomplishments, goals (these may change as the story develops)- habits/mannerisms (ie: chewing a thumb, fixing their hair, snapping fingers) 4. I think about their background and what made them who they are- how do they relate to the other characters and their surroundings- what kinds of conflicts can I expect from their background, what they've been taught, how they were raised
That's pretty much the gist of it. Some characters come alive immediately and take over. Their names come to me right away and it feels like I've known them once in a past life. Others need a little work and nurturing. I feel like a mother all over again raising her babies.
Do you have a secret to developing your characters?
p.s. I've completed 6/26 posts for the A-Z Challenge. They are not in any particular order, I pretty much wrote for the letter that popped into my head. I hope to have another three done tonight. Have you joined yet? Are you ready and excited?
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