I read somewhere that
characters are just figments of an overactive imagination; THINGS that writers
create on paper to deliver dialogue and act out some conflicts and resolutions…
Sounds kind of boring.
We owe it to our
readers and to ourselves to invent people that everyone can believe in, some we
can love and cheer for, and others we can HATE. Our characters need to be more
than names on paper. Our heroine shouldn’t just react, she should have a reason
to react, something that drives her to be angry, sad, happy, or unsure. The
hero should never be too good to be true because then he can’t be real. Even
our villains should have some likeable moment, or at least one person who likes
or loves him at some point of his life.
As a writer, whether
you plan your story structure or just let it happen, you have a basic idea of
what you want to happen and where you want to story to go. Unless you want to
present a glorified outline to your readers, you need to build the characters
and the setting into something real that your reader can be a part of.
The first thing to remember
when adding dimension to your character(s) is that he/she/they were not born on
the first page of your book – there was a life before and experiences, both
good and bad. Your character has memories that come with him. And if you are
reading this and saying, “My story does begin with my character’s birth”, then
don’t forget the package (family) he or she was born into and the influences
that surround him. Even if a deciding moment in the character’s life never
makes it onto the pages of your book, the influence and results of pivotal moments
become a part of your character and needs to poke its head out in every
decision your character makes. That’s called motivation.
You need to understand
who your character is. It is not enough to introduce your character’s profession
or beliefs by stating what they are, know it. Do your research. What does an
architect do? What are some of the common expressions an architect would use?
What kind of education and how difficult is it in order to become an architect?
Is your character realistically well paid or does he have to settle on a used
car instead of the hottest sports model? If your character has a medical
condition, then let that condition affect the way he lives, but understand what
modifications your character needs to make. Know what you are writing about.
Read books on the subject, research on the internet, peruse help wanted ads for
job descriptions. Make your character real.
Personalize your character;
make him different from the other characters in your story. Give the hero a
consistent habit, expression, fault or fear that is his alone. Change speech
patterns between characters so that each one speaks distinctively. Remember to
keep those patterns consistent and individual. Maybe one character has a habit,
possibly annoying, of speaking in short staccato sentences – use that as a
character trait that the reader can identify with that individual. If you are
introducing a foreign accent into your story courtesy of a character’s
ethnicity, use it sparingly. Use too many accented or foreign words may confuse
your reader and separate them from the world in your manuscript. Use just enough
dialect to add a signature flavor to your character. Make the character unique.
Remember the adage that
less is more. You may have done a great deal of research into your character’s
job, native tongue, or religious beliefs. Use the knowledge you have but not to
the point of exposing your LACK of knowledge. The same concept goes for
describing a setting – give enough for your reader to visualize the room or
landscape in their own mind, but not so much that it destroys imagination.
Writing Exercise:
Have one of your main characters describe his best childhood friend.
What were their favorite games, foods and music together? What caused their
eventual separation?
Writing Prompt: Without
looking out of your window or front door, describe the street in front of your
home – include cars, trees, homes, etc. Describe the scene the best your memory
allows. When you are finished grab a different colored pen and bring your
description outside with you – circle anything that is not accurate, add things
you forgot and cross out things that don’t belong.
Challenge: Write
yourself, the real you, into a chapter of your story. Don’t just be a piece of
the background, give your favorite character(s) a chance to interact with you
and let the readers know what the character thinks of you. Make sure that you
and your characters are real in the story and not just the author and her
creations.
