Creating Characters That Live
Write Scenes to Get to Know the People in Your Story
Ask thought-provoking questions about your character, and then write character sketches to create people that breathe and come to life.
Many writer’s books and websites suggest you fill out a job application or answer a list of background questions to develop your characters. But knowing where they went to high school, what their favorite color is, or what their first job was doesn’t always bring your character to life.
Character Sketch
Here is a sampling of deeper questions about what makes your character tick. Don’t try to answer all of them - choose two or three, ponder them in light of your character, and then write a scene about it. In other words, write a character sketch! Putting your character into action will develop him/her in a much deeper way than making a list. You’ll understand him better, and that understanding will translate into richer, more real characters as you tell your story.
- What is your character afraid of? Failure? Abandonment? Spiders? Write a scene showing the origin of this fear, and another showing this fear in recent times.
- What gives your character joy? Not the short-lived pleasure of a momentary accomplishment, but joy found deep within. Family? A creative pursuit? Service to others? Finding one’s place in the world? Write a scene showing this.
- How does your character show love? A hug? A gift? A smile when he/she helps someone? Write a scene with your character expressing his/her love for someone else. Include both large and small actions.
- What makes your character angry? How does he/she react? With a verbal tirade? Physical violence? Fuming inside? Write a scene showing him/her dealing with a frustrating situation.
- How competitive is your character? What is worth competing for? Job? Sports? Sibling Rivalry? Write a scene where your character loses. Write one where he/she wins.
- What does your character think about during downtime? Past experiences? Philosophical questions? Hopes? Disappointments? Put your character on a boring freeway drive and get inside his/her head for a scene or two.
- What “unreachable” dream does your character have? Climbing Mt. Everest? Becoming a heart surgeon? Why is this important? Write a scene when your character realizes he/she will never achieve this dream.
- What would your character have to give up to realize this dream? Write a scene where your character figures out that the dream is possible. Show him/her choosing to make the sacrifices necessary to achieve the dream. Or write a scene where your character decides that the dream isn’t worth sacrificing other things of value.
Once you’ve written a scene or two, add some personality quirks for your character. Does heavy metal music help her think? Does he always need pizza or chocolate-covered raisins or tangerine Lifesavers to make a long drive? Does his smile turn up at one corner when he thinks of a child? Can she wiggle her ears or do magic tricks or put on a Scottish accent?
Let these idiosyncrasies come through in other scenes, either to write more character sketches (using these quesitons or some of your own) or in your actual story. Or start the questions over again with another character - your antagonist and supporting characters need to be just as real as your hero.
