Coorlim’s Guide to NaNoWriMo 16: Characterization
Image courtesy of National Novel Writing Month
Coorlim’s Guide to NaNoWriMo is a multi-part series on writing, creativity, and the work-life balance throughout the month of November. Today we’re talking about research.
“Character is what you are in the dark.” – Dwight L. Moody
Characterization is how we exhibit character in the light. It’s the way we express our characters’ nature on the page, what we show the reader and how we choose to show it.
Almost everything we write can work in a form of characterization.
How to provide characterization
Imbuing your story with characterization is less a step-by-step process and more an ongoing one, but there are a few tips I can give you if you’re struggling with the concept.
Decide on your characters’ traits. Who they are. What do these traits say about the character?
Decide on the habits that these traits inspire. Remember, these traits only exist as they are displayed by the reader. How they dress, the way they cut their hair, how they walk, how they talk… every detail you invent should be informed by your character’s traits. Don’t be arbitrary when you can make a meaningful choice.
Seed your novel with manifestations of these traits.
This is particularly important during revision, when you’re done with the book and have a stronger mental idea of where the character is. As you write you’ll have plenty of opportunities to display characterization.
Look past the big blatant ways. Dialog is obvious, but it isn’t just what they choose to share, but how they choose to share it. It’s not just the big choices they make – to save or take a life – but in everything. What to have for lunch. Taking the elevator or the stairs.
It might even be helpful, at the start, to track what traits you’ve displayed in a spreadsheet. This gives you a visual overview, and allows yourself to ask the following questions:
Do you focus on the traits that are going to change, establishing them before the midpoint?
Do you display traits after they’ve changed?
This is it, NaNoWriMos. Next time, we’re going to talk about what you can do with your manuscript after November ends.
Questions? You are invited to either leave a comment below, or ask directly through the comment form.
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