My Writing Ramblings: Creating Characters

I have been busying myself this week by going back to basics with planning my novel. One of the main pieces of feedback from both submissions to the RNA New Writers Scheme is that I don’t seem to know my characters very well. This feedback is completely fair especially as I am realising that I seriously get stuck if I have no idea where I am going or who I am talking about.

Planning has always scared me mostly because I feel guilty at the thought of it. I should be writing and I’ve previously seen planning as just another distraction or worrying that it would sap all of the spontaneity out of the plot. That is not true. Planning, for a writer like me is very important. I need that road map.

What I have found is that, instead of hating it, I have had serious fun getting to know my main characters. It’s like having a legitimate reason to have imaginary friends in adulthood and I think that is pretty cool.

Being a little new to the planning stage of a novel, I wanted to share some of the things I have been doing in my character building process; what I have been asking my characters for anyone who might find something like this helpful especially if, like me, you are trying to write your first book.

As I said, I have been trying to get to know them so I made a character list including all the small characters (mostly so a Daniel doesn’t suddenly become a Stephen halfway through.)

Then I have been asking them some basic biographical information like their birthday, where they were born as well as about their current profession, status of education and what they wanted to be when they were a child.

I’ve written a few notes on their general personality, their strengths and weaknesses, aspirations, bad habits and special talents as well as their mannerisms.

I’ve then moved on to talking about their family, where they were born, a list of their friends  and work colleagues.  I’ve jotted down their likes and dislikes (including food, drink, movies, books, music.)

I have also tried to determine what their position is in the story and I’ve even thought about what their house looks like (as I think this says a lot about a person.) I found that Pinterest is good for this sort of thing and is also useful for looking at what type of clothes they wear, where in the world they would like to visit. I have even written a couple of diary entries from the point of view of my character (because she keeps a journal by her bed.) This has helped me get into the mind-set of my character.

This lead on to building a timeline of the milestones my character has reached and a family tree which is also so useful.

Another thing I have had particular fun with is building a playlist of music I think they may listen to, as well as a soundtrack to the novel (this helps get me into the story.)

The final thing I do is cast the character. I am quite a visual person. Having a photo of my character just helps give me a vague idea of how I want them to look. I think it makes them feel more real.

For example, in my current work in progress, one of my main characters is called Carrie. I know I want her to have long, dark hair and so for her, its Ginnifer Goodwin.

For another character, whose name is Dylan, I know I want him to look a little like Tom Hiddleson (a nice excuse to find pictures of him; in a non-stalking way obviously.)

What I have discovered is that the more I plan, the more real these characters are becoming and I am growing quickly attached to them. It’s interesting what you unveil about what makes your characters tick,; what makes them react a certain way.

What tips do you have for developing characters?

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.