Creating Characters? - Page 2 - Writers Forum

kittyjan · 12-23-2005, 09:20 AM

You should try and see what works best for you. It took me awhile to figure out that there's not a right and wrong way to do things. So hope you find what works for you.

Kittyjan

AnalisDestiny · 12-27-2005, 10:06 AM

For character development, I think it's incredibly important to know as much about that as you can, and backstory/history can be a big part of that. As far as creating goes, when I get an idea for a story, the character usually comes with it. Then you just take it from there and start to decide how you want him/her to act, and to think.

For names, it's just as important! Names invoke feelings with peopel, so choosing a name that doesn't suit a character confuses people when they read, even if they don't see it right away.

I usually end up sending my top choice names to a few of my friends and seeing what type of character they think would have that name, without ever having read something about the story I'm writing. They tend to give back honest answers to whether that name sounds write for the character or not. If they give an answer that alligns with the character I have in mind, that's the one I go with.

Hope your getting help with what you wanted! -AnalisDesitny

Anarkos · 12-28-2005, 09:33 PM

I think a lot of writers, both amateur and professional, have an overly romanticised view of their characters. In my mind, fictional characters are nothing more than a set of reactions with a name. They are simply actors/plot-devices that react predictably or unpredictably to their setting.

So, with that in mind:

1) I do not write character outlines in advance. However, I try to jot down notes as I go, to ensure consistency. I use a combination of two approaches to character development:
A) Reaction first: This is what I use most often when begining a story, or introducing a minor character. At this point, I do not have a set framework for a how the character should react, so I can choose whichever reaction is best for the plot. Having done so, I have to work out a reason. Why would the character react as they did? A simple example: Say my protagonist is being beaten up in the street, and I need him to be rescused by a minor character. Minor character Jim comes out of a nearby pub and attacks the aggressor. Why would he do that? He's drunk and angry because his wife was recently mugged in the street. This can also be applied to situations when you want pre-existing and developed characters to do implausible and/or unpredictable things.
B) Character first: This is what you have to do when you've already done a few of the above with a character. In the past, the character reacted to a similar situation in one way, so now, to be consistent, they should react in a similar way. Here, you have a set of background details and/or justifications for previous reactions, and you're just applying them to new situations.

So, for me, developing a character is a very organic process. I don't think "hmmm...what should this character be like" in advance, and write out long and involved biographies. Instead, I think "what would be cool for him/her to do at this plot point" and then work out a reason why they would have acted in such a way. I keep doing this until I reach a situation when what would be cool (or best for the plot) doesn't fit with the reasons already laid out. At this point, I think "okay, what would a character with these features do?" or "how can I twist these features to make the character do something entertaining?"

It's important also to point out that characters should not always be plausible and predictable. If they are, that's boring.

2) A variety of ways. It depends largely on the importance of theme to the story, the setting and the type of name in question. Simply choosing a name for its meaning has always struck me as being a little pretentious and counter-intuitive. Afterall, not all Richards are lionhearts. If the person chose their own name, or a peer did, then I simply decide on what they'd like to be called, or what a peer would see as fitting. If it's the name given by the parents, I try to think of how parents in their situation would name a kid...what trends and social pressures would apply etc. Alternatively, I just pick a name that sounds appropriate and back-justify it.

For minor characters, I just use simple stock standard names most of the time. Working class setting? Then how about Irish sounding names - that sounds working class! Paddy, Mickey, Johnny, fine...

Icywind · 12-28-2005, 10:03 PM

There are two kinds of characters...flat and round characters.

Flat characters are people in story that aren't main characters, and have small parts. They aren't vivid or complex, but used as part of the setting.

Round Characters are vivid fleshed out characters. These characters are usually hard to decipher, are deep, and are the main characters of the story.

What I do in my stories is that I make a few round characters, and spread out the flat characters to make a.......perfect meaty stew?^-^

richie · 12-29-2005, 07:53 AM

Well if your story goes around characters, that should be the most important thing. I usually spend really a lot of time on the characters, and they become so real that they start acting by themselves; and so the story goes on. I just write. There are even a couple character of mine that really annoy me for their behavior.

About the names, I really have trouble for choosing names. Guess I'll try things people said here.