slayerofangels

That isn't to say you shouldn't know the basics about every character you bring into it (you should at least have some idea of what the main character is like...), but it can be rewarding to let each ecounter simply unfold, rather than planning them meticulously...

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Sekaya

I recently switched the story I'm working on from 1st person to 3rd. If I wanted, I could very well go back to 1st person on it again, but I really do like showing the other characters interactions from the different perspective. it allows much more freedom to jump around, as long as you don't overdo it, of course.

You have to know your character down to a tee if you choose 1st person as well. Or you let the first draft come to you and let the character develop themselves so that, when you finish it, you DO know them inside out.
Either way, it'll get to the point where you'll know exactly what they'll be thinking when that Car comes crashing towards them, or that terrible monster jumps out at them from that cave and nearly knocks them one. You'll even know what foods they like and dislike.

There's some truth to the write what you know though; I found in the end the main character, in first person, bore a bit more of me than usual in my characters. but beyond that? I don't think its an accurate way to write (by that Writing 'Rule', I mean).

Good luck, and have fun!

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Vee

If your story isn't noir/hardboiled 3rd person will serve you better in my opinion.

I find writing whatever rolls of your pen/fingertips works

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QuothTheRaven

I can see 2 possible reasons for you to say this when every book on creative writing that I've read (including ones written by writers) recommend the opposite. Either you're citing the opinion of a reputable source, in which case you should say who it is, or you're a professional and successful writer, in which case you should say who you are and what you've written. So which is it?

All of the advice I've read from professional authors says to know your characters, and you say that it doesn't matter.

Knowing your characters before writing about them isn't harmful in the least. It leads to stiff characters and chokes the buzz words of working with buzz words, and buzzwords the buzzwords of the story only if you're a crappy writer. Just like you make every choice in your life because you are a unique person with a unique personality, a character should do the same. A good writer knows their character and works within the character. It helps prevent cliches, because you're being guided by what you character would do rather than what you think the character should do. It also creates a more believable story because your characters are believable and different. If you just go with what you think sounds right and what you think is creative, all of your characters will probably be flat, cliched, or just like you, the writer.

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DavidGil

I'm not saying there's any harm in knowing your characters. But, at the same time, I don't think there's any harm not knowing your characters either when you start to write. But obviously, it's handy to at least have some idea of them and whatever situation you've cooked up.

I don't think I've ever done any character outlines. In my view, it's sometimes best to just let the characters take on a mind of their own.

But that is just my opinion and it's how I work. I know some swear by planning everything before writing and others don't. It's just a preference, no right or wrong way.

But with regards to getting inside a character's head, I don't know why it's been asked really. Read first and fore-most. Imagine you're the character and see what he/she does and take it from there. The rest should come.

Mike summed it up in very few words as well.

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missmia86

Sorry, Lin, I don't agree.

I didn't say "know all about your characters". I am not one of those people who write those character detail lists and stuff. I just think it is important to write about characters you understand, and the way you understand a character is if you know them in real life. I could write about an 85 year old First World War veteran who wakes up one morning with wings and a beak, but the situations I put him in and therefore, the way he reacts, I need to know. And I think the best way of doing that is by putting your character through emotions you have experienced befor. As I said, if all I wrote about were 21 year old Australian uni students, I would have nothing to write about.

My advice here is not to write (create goals, challenges, heartbreak, conflict, etc) without understanding what your character would do (through your own experience or from your experiences observing others in your real life).

People are just people, and characters are just characters. It doesn't matter what their favourite colour is, who their kindergarten teacher was, or .... the rest What matters is how they act, what they believe in, blah blah. And you don't wanna get that one screwed up.

If you still don't agree, I give up!

Have fun battling with your make-believe characters!

xoxo

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Mike C

Advice I'd rather not take.

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Truth-Teller

"Write what you know" -- Stephen King

Truth-Teller

Are you going to listen to Lin or Stephen King?

Mike C

Personally, I'd listen to Lin. Everything he's said on this particular subject is good advice.

If King really just writes what he knows, he lives in a crazy, fucked up post apocalyptic world.

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slayerofangels

Why do I get the impression the multiple posts are intentional?

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Dawnstorm

Lin.

But then Stephen King never claimed what works for him must work for anyone else. The book's a "memoir of the craft". A point not nearly stressed, enough.

Writers write differently, and that is that. Any blanket statements are suspect off the bat.