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Just in Case Someone Thinks I Know How to Write, Part 3
I've been thinking about character for the past couple of days because of the conversation that's been going on. and it's mostly the "create the character in detail in order to make it realistic." I've seen checklists, charts, questionnaires, all kinds of things to make a character.
And they distress me, a bit.
Because I don't believe that characters are made. They're born, and they spring fully formed from the writer's head, bearing shield and spear and golden helm. You don't need to give them a list of traits or decide what their favorite color is. They've got that stuff already, and if it's important, they will tell you.
and writing characters is a journey of discovery. characters surprise you - sometimes when a story isn't going well and you the writer knows what should happen next, but you can't seem to get there, it could be that the next plot point goes against character. sometimes you'll discover things about your character in the course of a story that come as a complete shock - and what's worse, it may not have anything to do directly with the story you're writing and you have to leave it alone.
when I start with an idea for a story, there is already a character involved somehow. it could be a tiny piece, like this great beautiful nebula that spirals out like a cavern, and at its heart are tiny stars. and there's my character, telling me why it's an important landmark, the peculiar religion that's sprung up around it, and something she doesn't quite want me to know - she doesn't like it.
So naturally, I seize on that reluctance. Why does she feel animosity towards it? it's her bread and butter, her living.
Well, she lets me know reluctantly, she used to be an actress once. and she
had a son.....
*
I said before that the purpose of fiction is not to inform, but to reveal. That goes for character as much as it goes for exposition. My character notes are not so much a chart of carefully defined characteristics and features, but rather a description scribbled furiously on whatever bit of paper to get an accurate impression before the character gets away. Thoughts and information jumble over each other so fast that there's a sort of breathless, hyperactive excitement in the notes I have for the characters I like best - sometimes sentences interrupted for a new piece of information, because it's coming in so fast.
And of course, it's not just limited to character. smashed in there is notes about the story, backstory, worldbuilding, comment as about other character as they come up - it's absolute rambling chaos. and it's very exciting to watch all of this unfold - because I'm not doing it. I'm just writing it down as it comes to me. and that's a skill that needs practice, this letting go and letting the characters move around on their own and let you know how they are and what they're about.
Some people nod; others are looking at me like I'm crazy. Yeah, I know. but to give an idea, try this:
I'm posting URL links to pictures of people. Have a peek. Look at these people, and see if you suddenly just know something about that person. see it they give you some of their story, a bit about who they are. I'll only do three links, but it should be interesting (and yes, this is a variant on the picture game, guys.)
Oh hell, I'm a Bunny
A Private
A Lady
If you like, you can post what you got in the comments section.
And they distress me, a bit.
Because I don't believe that characters are made. They're born, and they spring fully formed from the writer's head, bearing shield and spear and golden helm. You don't need to give them a list of traits or decide what their favorite color is. They've got that stuff already, and if it's important, they will tell you.
and writing characters is a journey of discovery. characters surprise you - sometimes when a story isn't going well and you the writer knows what should happen next, but you can't seem to get there, it could be that the next plot point goes against character. sometimes you'll discover things about your character in the course of a story that come as a complete shock - and what's worse, it may not have anything to do directly with the story you're writing and you have to leave it alone.
when I start with an idea for a story, there is already a character involved somehow. it could be a tiny piece, like this great beautiful nebula that spirals out like a cavern, and at its heart are tiny stars. and there's my character, telling me why it's an important landmark, the peculiar religion that's sprung up around it, and something she doesn't quite want me to know - she doesn't like it.
So naturally, I seize on that reluctance. Why does she feel animosity towards it? it's her bread and butter, her living.
Well, she lets me know reluctantly, she used to be an actress once. and she
had a son.....
I said before that the purpose of fiction is not to inform, but to reveal. That goes for character as much as it goes for exposition. My character notes are not so much a chart of carefully defined characteristics and features, but rather a description scribbled furiously on whatever bit of paper to get an accurate impression before the character gets away. Thoughts and information jumble over each other so fast that there's a sort of breathless, hyperactive excitement in the notes I have for the characters I like best - sometimes sentences interrupted for a new piece of information, because it's coming in so fast.
And of course, it's not just limited to character. smashed in there is notes about the story, backstory, worldbuilding, comment as about other character as they come up - it's absolute rambling chaos. and it's very exciting to watch all of this unfold - because I'm not doing it. I'm just writing it down as it comes to me. and that's a skill that needs practice, this letting go and letting the characters move around on their own and let you know how they are and what they're about.
Some people nod; others are looking at me like I'm crazy. Yeah, I know. but to give an idea, try this:
I'm posting URL links to pictures of people. Have a peek. Look at these people, and see if you suddenly just know something about that person. see it they give you some of their story, a bit about who they are. I'll only do three links, but it should be interesting (and yes, this is a variant on the picture game, guys.)
Oh hell, I'm a Bunny
A Private
A Lady
If you like, you can post what you got in the comments section.