1-2-3 Writing Blog: Let’s Talk About Creating Extraordinary Characters
Photo courtesy of Brad Neathery @bradneathery
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
1 WRITING IDEA
As a kid, I devoured all the Encyclopedia Brown books, numerous times.
But… I can’t remember one single plot point. They faded quickly with time.
However, I do recall how Encyclopedia, the boy detective, was so smart and how Bugs Meany, the villain, was so mean. I’ve carried those memories for decades.
Same thing goes for Gilligan’s Island, the Brady Bunch, and the Jack Reacher books. The stories escape me, but man, I love the characters.
I’m guessing most people, like me, remember characters more than plot lines. That’s why, when you’re writing your story, wrestle this question to the ground: What Makes My Protagonist Special?
Is he/she/it… Smart? Sarcastic? Using magic powers? Artistic? Able to leap tall buildings? Good with a whip and a gun?
Writing jump-off-the-page characters starts with knowing their unique personality. Maybe they’re extroverted. Or introverted. Perhaps they’re an Enneagram #3. Or #8. Maybe they’re a Myers Briggs ENFJ.
Once you nail that down, take your beloved cast and then put ‘em through hell. That's right, conflict forges great characters.
Which brings up another question you should answer: Why Does Your Villain Hate Your Antagonist? Oh, that’s a good one.
Writing unforgettable characters is the engine that drives your story, even more than clever plot devices.
Looking at you, Marcia Brady.
2 WRITING QUOTES
“When I’m creating characters, I definitely think of theme songs. Writing for me is very visual, so I sometimes think of it in terms of a movie with a soundtrack, and try to transfer that to words.”
“In truth, the secret to all characterization for me is expressible in two maxims: Every character is the hero of his own story, and You don’t write characters, you write relationships.”
3 Writing Questions
How do you create characters that don’t all sound exactly like you?
What are your strategies for creating sympathy for certain characters?
What process do you use in developing the personality of your characters?
What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?
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About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.