A writer would like to write a story but does not know where to start. A writer has written a story but somehow her character seems too flat or too inconsistent. Or maybe a writer has an amazing plot for a story but does not have her characters yet. In any case, the following writing exercise will help develop a strong, memorable, dynamic character.
Five Parts of Characterization
Before beginning this exercise, review the 5 parts of characterization, which are a character’s appearance, actions, thoughts, speech and interactions. Keep these 5 parts in mind as you continue this character exercise.
The Character List
Get a piece of paper or open a blank word document and write down an answer or description that matches each of the categories below. Feel free to add more categories to this list.
- Character’s name and age
- Hair color and style
- Nose shape and size
- Most noticeable feature
- Type of clothing
- Body type
- Education
- Occupation
- Describe a scar or tattoo
- Describe character’s voice
- List a phrase your character often says
- Favorite food
- Least favorite food
- Favorite past time
- Worst nightmare
- Best childhood memory
- Most embarrassing moment
- Life goal
- Describe best friend
- Describe worst enemy
The Character Scenario
After using this list to describe a character, a writer should know a little bit more about her, him, or it. Using this new information, a writer can write a short one-page or so story about the character. Here is the scenario – a character boards a plane going to _________(insert location of your choice). As the character settles into her/his/it’s seat, her/his/it’s worst enemy sits in the seat beside her/him/it. What happens? If the writer gets on a roll and wants to write more than a page, that’s fine.
After completing this short story, a writer should have more insight to her character. The exercise will help a writer see and hear the character, learn the character’s thoughts, see the character’s actions and how the character interacts with others. These are all key elements to creating a great character. It’s important for a writer to know your characters inside and out. A writer should know her characters’ birthdays, what their parents were like, how many times they have seen the Star Wars movies. The writer should know this information even if it never comes out in her story or novel.
Another good character building idea is to interview a character. Ask a character questions as if she/he/it was an interviewee for a talk show. Or better yet, the writer can pretend to be her character and have a friend, spouse, or critique group member ask her questions. Then she has to answer as if she is her character.
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