Fellow writer and chainlink Abby asks:
Where do your characters come from? And once they've been introduced to you, how do you get to know them?
Most of my characters begin as blanks because I come up with story premises before characters. Once I know what's going to happen, I think about who's necessary to those events.
Like Abby, I don't like doing character interviews or journaling. I have filled out (brief) character sheets recommended by Randy Ingermanson (steps 4 + 7) and found the most valuable information to be a character's inner and outer goals, motivations, and conflicts. Once I know those things, the person begins to form...age, gender, shape, etc.
Some characters come more easily than others. Some evolve significantly as I write drafts. In fact, I recently changed one of my main characters physically. (Don't tell Chris; he may not have read the draft yet!) It's a siginificant change, but fits the story and gives the character a good, additional obstacle in reaching his goals. Overall, I learn most about my characters by writing (and rewriting) them: their dialogue, their struggles, their triumphs, the surprises that drop on their heads.
Don't miss Cole's chain post from yesterday, or Kate's post tomorrow!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Blog Chain: The What, Then the Who
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
13 ate pie:
Interesting. Sounds like you have a workable process in place.
Eric - it works for now, though I imagine it'll evolve.
Gah! I'm late on the chain. I am the weakest link. :( Interesting answer. I'm quite the opposite, filling out nearly entire notebooks with character background and notes. This is going to be interesting to see how everyone answers.
I agree - I find that discovering the characters' inner and out conflicts is a huge piece of the puzzle.
I'm like you; I learn about my characters as I write and revise.
I find it interesting that you get story first then characters. I usually get them at the same time or the character's voice first.
I don't do the interviews or sheets either...it feels too forced for me (though I enjoy reading other people's) like I'm just making stuff up as opposed to getting to know them. *snort* Now, a non-writer would read that and think "Uhhh you ARE just making stuff up" hehe But...you understand LOL
It's really interesting to read the different process every writer in this chain has for developing characters. Just goes to show there's no such thing as the wrong way when it comes to writing. :-)
Cole - I'm sure your character notebooks come through in your writing.
Margie - I imagine some folks get the setting first, or a turn of phrase. There are a lot of roads to story!
Michelle - :D
Yes, I get to know my characters better by writing and rewriting too!
Laura - I love to plan, but the most interesting bits arise in the writing. :)
I usually don't find out my characters' goal or their inner or outer conflicts until later in the story. I think that's why I flounder so much in my early drafts. I may have to try your method :) Your spreadsheet has already saved my revision process.
Shaun - Glad it's been helpful. I'm too much of a scaredy cat to begin writing without it. Same with road trips: I like a map!
Post a Comment