“Honest writing cannot be separated from the person who wrote it.” - Carl Jung
This afternoon we focus on character. We will do hands-on writing exercises that guide us to create characters from real life and circumstance; who show who they are by what they say and do, with individual voice and style; who move the story forward, and readers will love, or love to hate.
KNOWING YOUR CHARACTER FROM THE INSIDE OUT
We create the best characters when we know ourselves—the depth of ourselves—and tap into that depth when we write.
What makes up a character?
Create handout of short clips of good character development. Or have a couple of people read theirs.
Discuss the difference between them. What makes the difference? What makes the person come to life, to live, to breathe?
What does each say about the character’s emotions at the time? Which one helps you know the character better?
Discuss the difference between major and minor characters.
Elements to consider in developing character:
Setting
POV
Time Period
Voice
Intent/Genre
Emotional Depth
How important is setting to character?
Writers often have trouble creating believable, unusual characters.
o Instead, we make them cookie-cutter, stereotypical people–and bore our readers.
o Even though we might conduct extensive research, we resist the elements that end in helping us develop multi-faceted exciting characters.
o Research by itself won’t fix the problem. Why?
o Because the most important element for creating characters with emotional and psychological depth—wishes, feelings, passion, depth and vision—resides within me, the writer.
o For me to write meaningfully, I must connect my inner world with the outer world of my creation.
It is easy to learn the craft of writing, but it takes more than just structure to make our writing and our characters come to life.
Before our characters can stand out from all others we must tap into our inner self, while we create that character.
We must be present inside our characters, and in our writing, or our story will not be successful, for it will lack depth.
Our readers must hear our voice as the narrator—not some detached fact teller.
We must create different characters that express all the various voices we have within ourselves.
WE, the writer, make the difference between a lackluster character portrayed over and over, and a character with a fresh, unique voice.
HOW DO WE DO THIS?
We must make ourselves vulnerable.
If we are not willing to do this, we cheat our character out of a real-life personality.
We must take risks.
We must explore our inner selves.
We must delve into the parts of ourselves that are the most vulnerable—our own life experiences, particularly those painful or delightful parts of our childhood.
When we approach that most vulnerable part of ourselves we must not stop—we must not blink.
Instead, we write right through that part of our history, thereby giving life to our characters.
When we do so, we:
Unlock our own sensory recall and transform our experiences, feelings, high, lows, pain, and joys, into unique, powerful, believable, original characters who are capable of touching the hearts of our readers.
Easy to say—not always easy to do.
BACKSTORY: GHOSTS FROM THE PAST
“The past is never dead. Actually, it’s not even the past.”
Whether a writer realizes it or not, she brings ghosts from her own past into her personal and professional relationships–including her writing. Likewise, so do her characters. They bring ghosts from their past into the plot.
For a writer to develop her character well, she must set these ghosts free–both her own and those of her character.
Most writers know it is essential for them to know about their:
Character’s childhood,
Their emotional experiences,
Their family and life circumstances.
But what they often don’t realize is:
Before they build the backstory of their character, they must build their own backstory. After all, you can’t help your characters if you aren’t willing to get to know yourself.
If your character has no backstory, they have no character.
EXPLORING YOUR PAST
As the creator of our characters, regardless of their ages, we need to know about their childhood, family, and emotional experiences long before our story opens. (True even if the info may not be stated in the book.)
Before we begin, to build that backstory, however, we need to build our own. We must open ourselves up for our characters by answering questions not just about them, but about our own backstory. After all, how can we give to our characters what we can’t give to ourselves?
EXERCISERelax—get them in a meditative state.
Recall a time that illustrates how your family interacted with one another. Perhaps a holiday or dinnertime. How old are you?
Write for 10 minutes: Then read.
How do your words make you feel? Does this childhood memory give you an idea for developing a story? To create an original character? Make a note of that character.
When we start to remember our past, we discover a wealth of material just waiting for us.
EXERCISE
Relax…
Now write about how you felt coming in the door after school. How did you expect to be greeted? Did you feel happy, fearful, or sad? What did you talk about? What games did you play?
Write your memories and see what they reveal about who you were and who you’ve become. Remember once you start, keep the pen moving.
As you answer these questions, keep digging deeper into your childhood memories. There is nobody on earth like you, so why not put your memories, experiences, and personal passions into your characters. It is raw material.
EXPLORING YOUR CHARACTER’S PAST
THE PHYSICAL:
Basic, height, weight, skin type, coloring, hair, eyes. How they walk, talk, eat, smile, gesture, distinct mannerisms, posture, overall appearance. Are they handsome, ugly, weak, strong, stocky, fat, thin?
Before you decide which trait to highlight, try to anticipate what important traits he/she will need for his/her role in the plot.
CREATE A CHARACTER IN SEVEN EASY STEPS
Vertical: Character:*
7. What three secrets/things are in the room that others don’t know?
6. What three things does she smell? (In the room where she sleeps.
5. She steps inside. What three things does she see?
4. What are the first three things she says?
3. What three items is she carrying?
2. What 3 things is your protagonist wearing?
1. She walks up to the front door. What three things would she see?
Each step upward takes us deeper into the character.
*Nancy Robinson Masters
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