In relation to plotting out a brand new story, I’ll admit I’m a hardcore pantser, however when creating characters, not a lot. I have to know who I’m writing about earlier than I can inform their story. My concept is the extra actual the character is to me, the extra actual I’ll be capable to make them for the reader. Additionally, the higher I get to know them, the extra they’ll be capable to inform me their story.
A technique I get to know them at a deeper stage is to sit down down and have a dialog. Sounds loopy, proper? Possibly, nevertheless it offers me the chance to listen to their voice, see their expressions, and observe their physique language. The extra time I spend with them, the clearer the image turns into, leading to a extra three-dimensional character.
Listed here are the ten important questions I wish to ask my characters and what I count on to be taught from them.
1. The place did you develop up?
This query looks like an apparent one, nevertheless it’s one of the crucial essential. The place somebody spent their youth lays the inspiration for all the pieces to return. Was it city or rural? What was the tradition like? What accents are prevalent? What colloquialisms and traditions have been well-liked there? Issues like this could impact conduct, speech patterns, and common likes and dislikes.
2. The place do you reside now and why?
Whether or not a personality chooses to remain near dwelling or get out of city can inform you a large number. Did they stick round out of worry of the unknown? Possibly they left city to flee the previous. A personality may go someplace new to hunt work or comply with and outdated love, per probability to rekindle the romance. Some strike out on their very own in search of journey, others is likely to be run out of city by the locals.
3. What was your loved ones life like? Do you communicate?
That is the place I often find yourself dragging the household skeletons out of the closet. Secrets and techniques can both construct a robust bond between members of the family or tear them aside. Both means you’re certain to extract some dust that finally ends up creating a superb little bit of drama that has an enduring emotional impact on the character.
4. How do you get together with others?
This query will get me deeper into the character’s character. How somebody behaves in a social setting could be very telling relating to what’s happening inside their head. Are they an introvert or an extravert? A pacesetter or a follower? They stands out as the peacemaker in social conditions…or the fast tempered one which will get tossed out of the bar for beginning fights!
5. Who’s your finest pal?
The folks one chooses to encompass themselves with can converse volumes about them. Do they forge long run friendships, or soar from one individual to the following? They may gravitate towards folks like themselves or hunt down relationships that fill in qualities they really feel they’re lacking. One character may cling to somebody stronger for defense, whereas one other may see themselves because the protector. After all, there are at all times the loners who by no means develop sturdy bonds with anybody. Take into consideration your personal friendships and evaluate them to your character’s.
6. Who’s your worst enemy?
Irrespective of how good or likeable somebody is there’ll at all times be that one one who can’t stand them and can exit of their option to make their life depressing. It might be one thing within the character’s previous that keys the response, or it could possibly be so simple as jealousy as a result of the character seems to have all the pieces going for them.
After all, there might also be authentic causes a personality has enemies. These causes could possibly be private, skilled, political, or authorized, simply to call a couple of. The character might also be unaware they’ve enemies, resulting in a each a superb plot twist and a chance for self-reflection for the character.
7. What’s your largest worry?
All of us have fears, whether or not we wish to admit it or not. Concern can drive a personality to veer off on a special path moderately than staying on what seems to be the higher highway. It might be a single worry or an entire constellation of them. Concern can get the character into hassle or assist them keep away from it.
What seems like an irrational worry to at least one individual might really feel completely justified to a different. They are often exterior (heights, wild animals, and so on.) or inside (worry of failure, and even success.) Both means, worry can create battle inside a personality that should be delt with and overcome to achieve their quest.
8. What’s your best accomplishment?
This query is all in regards to the victories, nice or small, that assist to determine ego. Keep in mind, this query is about what the character sees as their best accomplishment, not different characters, or the surface world. It’s all about self-image.
If the character can’t provide you with a solution or downplays the topic it might present humility or a scarcity of ego, whereas somebody who trumpets their victories from the best mountain in all probability has an overdeveloped ego. Understand that they could be speaking massive as a result of they’ve a poor self-image and are over-compensating and hungry for consideration and approval.
9. What uncommon abilities do you possess?
I’m not speaking in regards to the regular issues like knitting sweaters or throwing a killer curveball, I imply the unusual off-the-wall stuff that makes folks cease of their tracks and concentrate. Particulars like this are what set characters aside and make them attention-grabbing. Having a particular expertise to name on might result in a artistic resolution to a personality’s present predicament. instance of an uncommon expertise may be discovered under in my bio. Go forward and scroll down. I’ll wait…
10. The place do you see your self in ten years?
That is one in all my favourite questions. It not solely units expectations for the character, however the writer as nicely. The place the character sees themselves headed and the writer intends to ship them are sometimes two solely completely different locations. This helps to arrange roadblocks for the character to beat to get to the ultimate decision of the story. I’ve discovered the farther these expectations are aside, the higher the story find yourself being.
Some Last Ideas
That is only a small pattern of the questions you’ll be able to ask to realize a deeper understanding of your character. If different questions pop into your head, ask them. You by no means know the place they may lead.
Additionally remember that that is an train for you, the writer, to get to know who you’re writing about. Not all the knowledge you dig up will make it into the ultimate draft, nor ought to it. Simply weave within the essential particulars the reader wants to know and maintain the remainder in your head as you write. I believe you’ll discover that a greater understanding of your character’s flaws and motivations will enable you maintain them actual.
Do you speak to your characters? What questions do you ask? Let me know within the feedback under!
