Characters
I was just texting my new friend & author Esther Wheelmaker about writing and characters. One of the things we both have in common is that we treat our characters as if they were real people. In my mind (which is cluttered with TONS of random people) they continue to live their lives even if I'm not paying attention to them. They use the bathroom, go to the bank, sleep, eat, laugh, stare off into space, tell dirty jokes, curse like a drunk truck driver...etc. Even when the pen isn't in my hand they continue to live in whatever corner that exists in the subconscious of my brain.
And for all I know this is a bunch of crap, and I just have an extremely overactive imagination. But I think this is important because I believe that characters are what make a story go forward. The plot can come into place at any given point but if you don't have a kick-ass character that your reader will care about then what's the point of telling the story? You know what I mean?
So I'll often create little bios for each character. It may be a short bio but I need to have one. Here's what I usually start with:
1. Name: They need to have a name that means something. You can look up meanings at babynames.com . I use it all the time.
2. Physical attributes: Duh. What do they look like. I've learned to sprinkle physical descriptions throughout the book and not a single paragraph in the beginning. I like to have the reader use their imagination.
3. Favorites: Everyone has something they love or enjoy. Favorite color? Food? Scent? Sound? Etc. Every character needs this.
4. Speech: Does your character have an accent? Do they have a particular word they like to use? A catchphrase?
5. Dislikes: Everyone has something they hate.
6. Background: Where was your character born? When is his/her birthday? Look up astrological signs! Numerology! It sounds crazy but trust me it let's you find out a little bit more about your character. I'll even use tarot cards to help me figure out who my character is.
Characters are people too! LOL
Like right now...I can tell you what some of my main characters are doing.
Bianca is at the Mad Hatter's house trying on a pair of boots that Maggie gave her. They're a little snug but they fit.
Ming is trying very hard to keep a secret from Bianca. She hates not being able to tell her everything. But this is a big one.
Neve is sharpening her knives. It helps her relax.
Zee is in her 'tower', sitting in front of her massive computer screen watching Neve sharpen her knives.
Red is playing with her half wolf, half Siberian Husky, Ajax.
Bella is checking in on Briar. She's writing down all of her theories and observations in her notebook.
And this is how I make my characters interesting. They are to me anyway. :)
And for all I know this is a bunch of crap, and I just have an extremely overactive imagination. But I think this is important because I believe that characters are what make a story go forward. The plot can come into place at any given point but if you don't have a kick-ass character that your reader will care about then what's the point of telling the story? You know what I mean?
So I'll often create little bios for each character. It may be a short bio but I need to have one. Here's what I usually start with:
1. Name: They need to have a name that means something. You can look up meanings at babynames.com . I use it all the time.
2. Physical attributes: Duh. What do they look like. I've learned to sprinkle physical descriptions throughout the book and not a single paragraph in the beginning. I like to have the reader use their imagination.
3. Favorites: Everyone has something they love or enjoy. Favorite color? Food? Scent? Sound? Etc. Every character needs this.
4. Speech: Does your character have an accent? Do they have a particular word they like to use? A catchphrase?
5. Dislikes: Everyone has something they hate.
6. Background: Where was your character born? When is his/her birthday? Look up astrological signs! Numerology! It sounds crazy but trust me it let's you find out a little bit more about your character. I'll even use tarot cards to help me figure out who my character is.
Characters are people too! LOL
Like right now...I can tell you what some of my main characters are doing.
Bianca is at the Mad Hatter's house trying on a pair of boots that Maggie gave her. They're a little snug but they fit.
Ming is trying very hard to keep a secret from Bianca. She hates not being able to tell her everything. But this is a big one.
Neve is sharpening her knives. It helps her relax.
Zee is in her 'tower', sitting in front of her massive computer screen watching Neve sharpen her knives.
Red is playing with her half wolf, half Siberian Husky, Ajax.
Bella is checking in on Briar. She's writing down all of her theories and observations in her notebook.
And this is how I make my characters interesting. They are to me anyway. :)
No comments have been added yet.
