Developing a character - Writers Forum

Ardwin · 10-15-2007, 09:53 PM

I am putting together an outline of a trilogy of books I will start writing in the next month or so. As I am attempting to flesh out my characters and some of the details of the first in my series I am having some difficulty creating a character that is not a stereotype, but that people will be able to identify with.

My Character is a high school senior in the Chicago Suburbs approximately 10 years in the future. He is a brilliant individual, however something in his life, or about him, or around him, has prevented him from living up to even half of his potential. As a result his only true lead out of high school is the military if he wishes to go to college (which in the future is the only way to get even a basic job).

I didn't want to do anything that we've all seen 100 times before like living in a bad neighborhood, or having alcoholic parents, or a host of other "After School Special" reasons why a kid is having problems.

I played around with the idea of something like ADHD, which I have myself, but I don't think many people really understand the condition and might think it a lame plot gimmick.

Anyone have any input?

Thanks,
Ardwin

Lost in Some Story · 10-15-2007, 10:30 PM

Hmm. Tough one. Of course it's your story, but I always find characters who are completely unique and multi-faceted to be the most memorable and interesting.

Instead of defining him by one event, relationship, or disorder. Start telling yourself stories about him. Who were his friends, his parents, his crushes? What were his disappointments and failures and achievements? Make memories that mean something to him.

You don't have to write anything about this in the story itself, but you, as an author, must know these little things about him. That's how you bring a character to life in a story, by bringing them to life in your own mind first.

Good luck. Can't wait to read your stuff.

Lost

Destroyer · 10-16-2007, 05:30 AM

Before you start writing, decide as much of his history as you can, and how it will affect him. Does he have a darker or lighter side? Decide what it is that stops him from reaching his potential, and what his feelings are about that.

Susie's Mom · 10-16-2007, 11:36 AM

What about a personal committment? One that your character views as an unbreakable bond. His mother could have a disability. Without his continuing help, she will have to go to a nursing home. He could have a crippled sibling who needs his help at the bus stop every morning. Any number of possibilities.

Faustling · 10-16-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ardwin

I played around with the idea of something like ADHD, which I have myself, but I don't think many people really understand the condition and might think it a lame plot gimmick.

I don't know what it's like where you're from but to me it seems like most people know at least the basics of ADHD which should be enough to understand its effect on the character. If more details are needed you could always do a subtle info-dump somewhere in the story like having a doctor describing it to the characters family or a teacher describing it to students.
As long as you handle it well (where you've got a perk since you've first hand info on it) I doubt a lot of people would think it's a gimmick.

Just Mandy · 10-16-2007, 05:28 PM

I have always found that my characters grow however they please. Where they end up is never how I had them in my head but I always ensure that they're a flawed: a flawed character can be related to, I think that's why Superman never really did it for me.

I think steering away from great big swathes of angsty chest beating is the only thing I avoid, and I think your idea of maybe bringing in the ADHD could be very good if handled correctly. It's something you know, and if people don't know much about it then I'm sure you can help to fix that. I agree with Faustling that it won't be a gimmick if you write it like you know it, which you clearly do, and don't let it define the character.

Ardwin · 10-16-2007, 07:58 PM

No, the ADHD thing, still far too many people out there that think it is just bad parenting or in adults like my case bad memory, not paying attention and laziness. I'm not trying to generalize, this is really the attitude I faced before my treatment. But THAT is another story...lol
I thank you all for all the advice, it give me a lot to work on. I am sure it will come to me. The story, and numerous others, have popped into my brain without warning. Not just simple ideas, but full detailed story lines. In this case a trilogy. Now it's simply a matter of getting my main character fleshed out and we are in business.

Thanks again all I will keep you updated.

Free Money · 10-17-2007, 10:25 AM

Drug abuse is a fairly straightforward plot device for your tale. Of course, conveying the experience through text, and rationalising the continued abuse is difficult without personal experience (I'll leave your answer to discretion

) but can become a compelling reason for the plot to be driven this way. Try to avoid drugs messing with the mind as not only is this deeply clichéd, it doesn't fit with the theme of his/her intellect. However, more than one brilliant mind has been lost to motivational issues which result from drug abuse.