If you were to ask
any author where they get their ideas for characters from they’ll most likely
tell you, “they just come to them when they write.” However, if you were to ask them how they
make their characters seem so real; they’ll most likely say, “because I write
who I know.”
There are many techniques authors use to get
to know their characters. Some authors I
know talk about how their characters have been “floating” around inside their
head for some time (even years!) so they feel like old friends, some create
characters by meshing together appearance and personality traits from actual
people they know while others build their characters using character sketches. I’ve even met an author (who has over 90
published books!) who told me they actually “interview” their main characters
to “get inside their head.” Is any one of
these techniques the right way when it comes to developing characters? In my opinion, I’d have to say no. I believe whatever format an author uses to
bring a character to life is the right way for that author.
Which technique does
The Unknown Author use? Actually, I have
used a little of each of the techniques mentioned above, with the exception of
an interview; however, I am open minded to the possibility! In my writing experiences, I’ve found certain
stories dictate how my characters are born.
Most the short stories I’ve written the characters have been inside my
head knocking to come out and come alive, while the two novels I’ve written (both
between 50K and 120K words) I used character sketches to develop my characters. Why the difference? For me, it’s because generally I write my
short stories off the cuff and my novels I follow an outline (one reason being is
editing and re-writing a 100,000 word manuscript can be a nightmare without
one, but, we’ll discuss this in a future posting for this is a topic within
itself!). How about you, do you have a
special technique when it comes to creating characters?
First, I think it’s
important to point out that character development should be proportionate to
the importance of each character. In
other words, you don’t want to write page after page of character description
for an extra that shows up in Act Three and is never seen again and only have
one paragraph for the Protagonist. The
same applies to your supporting cast versus characters that only have a bit
part. Otherwise, you run the risk of
your main characters not acting consistently or realistically.
What kind of attributes
should you put in a main character’s character sketch? A physical discription, their sex or perhaps
educational and financial background?
Sure these types of attributes help to establish the character, but when
it comes to bringing them to life they’re unimportant. Let’s explore:
Why is the color of
eyes or hair unimportant? Basically, when
it comes to your protagonist it helps to eliminate physical appearance altogether,
unless it is vitally important to establishing why they are the way they
are. Why? Because did you know most readers like to
actively put themselves in your protagonist’s shoes and picture them as the
hero/heroine? Think about the last book
you read in which you had a vivid description of the protagonist? Go back and reread the book and I bet you
will find only a brief, if any, description of their physical appearance. However, when it comes to secondary
characters giving physical descriptions can help the reader keep track of who
is who.
How about sex? (Okay all you Austin Power fans out there
that’s not what I meant!) Unless you are using a name that could be cross
gendered your reader will most likely get the picture.
What about their
educational and financial background?
Again, unless it is important in establishing their backstory it’s
probably not that important to your reader.
So then, what kinds
of attributes are important to add to a main character’s character sketch? In my experience, the most important attributes
I’ve found which help me as an author “write who I know” is their name, their
flaw, the goal that motivates their actions and their history. How about you, what attributes help you to
get to know your main characters?
Next week, we’ll
explore each of these attributes and why I have found them to be important in
bringing my main characters to life!
Until then,
Keep on thriving, keep on striving and keep on writing!
T.K. Millin
The Unknown Author
Great post! As anyone acquainted with me knows, I'm a 100% pantser. I never outline anything because I have no idea how anything is going to wind up anyway. My first draft is my outline. When it's done, I'll go back and slash or add. Usually, I add more description in the second draft, but I don't go crazy with it because, like you say, readers like to put themselves in the place of the protagonist and over-description ruins this for them. I would rather set more of a scene description and work on the moods involved.
ReplyDeleteI do the same for background descriptions, as well. If I describe the furniture in a room, there might be one chair that doesn't get described. That is my reader's chair to do with as they please. It makes it more personalized.
Another thing is not to dumb down to your reader. Too much personal description tells your reader they must be told every little fact about every little hair on their body. Like you say: what difference does it make? Spread the info out.
A little story about Blaze. When I was young, I read all the Saint books I could get my hands on. I would gloss over the descriptions of my hero because in my mind I was the hero. A thorough description wasn't needed for me.
You hit description right on the head! Great job, my friend.
P.S. I'm still excited about the book! :D
Thank you for the wonderful response Blaze! You make some very good points and being a pantser is great! Some of the best writing is done this way!
ReplyDeleteIt's tough on your wardrobe, though.
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