If anyone reads this blog starting at this point, they might think that, following the “advice” in my previous post, I have lost my mind. I guess I have to admit that it’s possible that I have, but if anyone is an ardent reader, movie-watcher, or show-follower, they will probably have to admit that they have the same “problem” as I do.
I mean, maybe they didn’t create the characters, but they’re still probably under the delusion of some other writer, believing that their characters are real.
Come on, now. You know you’ve done it.
When we read a book or watch a movie or TV show, and we meet these people that someone else made up, and we get to know them like they’re real people, we become emotionally invested in them, and therefore in the story. We care about what happens to the characters. That’s what the writer wants. That’s what I want to happen to people when they read my stories. Except I’m not thinking that when I write. I’m thinking that my characters are real, and I just want other people to get to know them.
This illusion (somewhat heartbreaking in that it’s only an illusion) is the key to creating good characters.
Oh, this is a writing lesson!
No, I really am crazy. But keep reading anyway, and hopefully I can help someone in creating their characters.
Here’s how I create/discover my characters:
I talk to them.
Don’t leave! I’m not the only author who does this. If you do a quick Google or Bing search on something like “character development,” you will find many other authors saying the same thing, to have conversations with characters in order to develop them. Personally, I find that easier to do on paper, but I have had mental conversations with my characters as well. I will upload a picture of one of my “conversations” with some of my characters as soon as I can.
I’ve filled out worksheets for character development that I found online, in which I detail the appearances, backgrounds, and personality quirks of my characters, and those can help, but I do think that, for me at least, it actually helps more to have conversations with them. While you are “talking” to your characters, these figments of your own imagination take on a personality of their own, and it actually seems more like you are discovering them than actually creating them. This sort of freaks me out and thrills me at the same time. I love it. You will too, if you try it.*
You’re discovering another person who lives inside your mind, and they develop their own personality as you get to know them, but that’s what makes them so real, and when they’re real to you, they’ll be real in your story, and real to other people when they read it. At least, that’s the goal.
Maybe I am a little bit crazy. But it’s okay—writers are supposed to be.
-Chantel-
*Note: You’ll only love it if you’re an author. You’ll probably find it to be a waste of time if you’re not.
