Thread: Character Development question

I was just wondering how everyone goes about developing your characters. For me it's difficult to keep the same image of someone in my head. So I'll actually make the person I want to be in my story on The Sims.


This is actually going to be my main character of whatever I start to write. Eventually I'll sit down and create her personality, all her quirks and what not will come out in one document that I'll refer to throughout the writing process. I've also obtained a Character Chart years ago if anyone is interested in that! I'll post that in a new thread!
So, how do you guys develop characters?

If I'm honest, I don't really give it that much thought. I let the character grow and shine through his/her actions and/or dialogue. I have a good memory for their individual mannerisms and traits. To each their own, though. A character chart is a good idea for those who can't remember all the details.

I tend to use real people as models for characters so, like Sam, I don't worry about development. I can visualise them quite well from memory. It's a useful outlet; for those you don't like just make them despicable characters in your novel.

I don't really use real people as models. I think that would be somewhat limiting. With me, it's more like I subconsciously put the traits of people I've known in a blender -- along with good doses of imagination, experience and empathy. I don't give it much thought either. The characters seem to materialize, more or less fully developed, although I certainly make adjustments along the way, if need be.

I lived with the main character of my current project for about 6 months before I started writing. He was just there, in my head, whilst I figured out who he was, how he spoke, what things he did, his morals, principles, likes/disliks etc. When I started writing the character was pretty much fully formed. For all characters I do a character card, similar to the OPs character chart, and the cards are stuck on a board above my desk as and when I'm writing scenes involving them.

I've read somewhere it is a good idea to interview your characters to get to know them better. I've not done this yet, but may give it a go soon.

I think the Character Chart helps to bring out traits of your characters you didn't know needed to exist. Sometimes you get far into a story with a window character and you suddenly realize, "I have no idea if this character like's coffee or not" and you don't want to just make something up because you want them to be well developed. So using a CC to help organize those "extra" characters helps me to keep them all in line without confusing them with one another. That's a huge problem I have. Somehow my characters eventually take on each others mannerism's, so using the CC I've mentioned lets me go back and remind myself that a specific character is a completely separate entity than another. Kudos to those that can keep those things separated in their minds.

often a character develops, matures, changes as the story progresses, each mishap/adventure leaves a scar, the bases of how it effects them is reflected on that first image you give the mc in your mind. Are they strong, can they be stronger - are they weak, will they break. I know people who draw outlines for characters, others who live them, I believe if it works for the writer, its all good. There are programs that help you. i've been in groups where they would have character chats, where others would ask questions about your character(after you give them a general view) a lot of times they asks questions that you'd never think of, so you get a perspective of other readers to build them stronger, more defined.

when I critique I look for all those strings, because I learn from how people build things...even people

interesting question, well thought of replies.

thanks for the read

Sync

I read something that Allan Gurganus said on the topic of characterization. He said something along the lines of: A good character has both desire and a weakness. I think that it's good advice. I'd find it pretty hard to feel for a character to whom nothing bad happens or can happen.

That aside, in one of my workshop classes, since the semester just ended, we went around saying things that we find particularly useful in the craft of writing. Someone said that they write a page about their characters. I haven't done that yet, but soon I'm going to start another story, and definitely want to do that. I bet that way, the character will be able to have a lot more depth and be consistent. Not to mention, that if you have a better "mental image" of your character, you will probably be able to portray him/her better.

AEP

I've drawn two of mine. They are taped up to the puter and I see them every day. My heroine was impatient for a while, but I think she's finally 'getting' that I am not free to do whatever I like whenever. It's important for her to understand this as she is going to live it too.