Do You Have “Character”?

Creating characters is a tough business. Sometimes I can visualize a character as a complete person with all their attitudes, emotions and motivations. When that happens, it’s great. It makes writing that character easy in many ways. I simply need to put myself in their head (one that I already understand) and let their personality come out. Not all characters are like that, though. In fact, most are not. 

I think we need to remember that even though fictional, our characters have past lives and experiences that make them what they are. Their past lives are significant when they arrive in our story. In order to put flesh on their bones, you, as the author, need to know about that person. You need to know that they like the smell of new carpet, or like to eat at cheap taco stands, and that they hate professional hockey.  

Why? 

Because if you know this stuff, you can use it to enrich your character, and thereby enrich your story.

Two-dimensional characters intrigue no one. Sure – They can talk, walk, and interact, but why do I care? Those small quirky, human, and intimate touches make me love a character, or care about them, or hate them. If you want to draw me in to your story, then you must elicit that sort of emotion from me. Better still – if you have a villain, make me see the small goodness in him or her. Make me see their weakness. The same is true of your hero or heroine. Show me not only their strengths but also their weaknesses. Tell me why a lightning strike to their childhood home causes them to cringe during a thunderstorm, or why they always think of their first love when they smell warm peanut butter cookies. It won’t take that long – seriously. 

Some people claim that such background is so much unnecessary exposition. I say – not only is it necessary, but critical to making your story resonate with an audience. You may know your character, but remember that your audience does not. Make us see them as you do. Don’t assume we understand your hero’s proclivity for growing a beard as meaningless. Tell us he’s trying to emulate his dead father.  

Having said this, we’ve all read novels where the author goes overboard with such details. I favor the approach where these tidbits are peppered in during the early chapters, so I can assimilate the information and build up the image I have of the character until I have the full picture-like getting to know a real person. 

Here is a link to character profile template. http://www.creative-writing-now.com/writing-character-profiles.html   There are plenty of such character quizzes and profile worksheets on the web. It is a good exercise to complete such a profile, or to write a brief history of your characters. Then, as you write, you can refer to it. This will keep your character consistent and true to themselves, in terms of their actions and reactions.

Laurie