How do you go about creating a memorable character? This is a question I ask myself over and over again. If I had to choose one area to focus on right now, it would be character development.
I freely admit to being a pantser. Plot development comes easy to me and once I get in the groove of the story, the characters practically tell me what is going to happen next. But what about the beginning? How to start out with a hero/heroine that readers will love at the beginning of the story.
I've tried filling out detailed surveys for every character in my story only to become frustrated at the amount of time I've wasted not getting on with my writing. I have a hard time
believing that what color nail polish my heroine prefers or who my hero had for a teacher in third grade is important to character development.
I've studied the archetypes ad nauseum. My characters seem to take qualities from two or three different types. I don't know if that's Okay. Maybe that's my problem.
And what about writing a detailed backstory that never makes it into your novel. Actually that sounds like a good idea. I just don't have the patience for it.
Right now, I just right the story and go back and layer...and layer...and layer...
So how do you create memorable, appealing characters?
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can we wear one of these at conference? 'Cause that would be AWESOME!
For Christie!
hahahahahaha
2 comments:
wow, great question. i am sure everyone is different, but here's what i do: when i'm writing, i pretend i am them (heroine/hero). i rationalize it to an actress getting to play a doctor or some particular type of character that they'd never be in real life. it's kind of like playing with barbies only instead of saying the dialogue out loud, you write it down. i'm also big into collages. i go through magazines or google images to get ideas for character nuances that hopefully my intended audience will relate to/identify with. my goal is for the reader to say, "gah, me too!" or "i totally know what she's saying." so, if you guys aren't asking those questions after reading my characters, spank me.
Great blog, Trinity! I tend to be a pantser most of the time but I try to be a plotter, because it seems like it would be easier to know where I'm going. Not sure if it really is easier. On the characterization I just create the characters as I go but I often have trouble making them do things that I wouldn't do. I always stress about whether the characters come off the way I meant for them to or if I've missed the mark. Do they have deminsion or are they flat? Uuuuugh! It's so much to think about, I think my head will explode!
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