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| Photo credit: Chris Guillebeau on Flickr |
In the past I’ve written about ways to get to know your characters, but over the course of several manuscripts, I’ve come to realize that my methods for getting to know my characters has changed over time.
You see, I’ve come to realize that while I’ve become a plotter as far as the events of a manuscript goes, when it comes to my characters, I tend to pants them. Or…rather…write them off the cuff, not take off their…ehem.
Anyway.
I usually have a general idea as to what the main characters will be like (usually the protagonist, love interest or significant other and the antagonist), and I usually have physical descriptions all set up, but I don’t really get to know them until I start writing. Why? Because I kept finding that just about every time I tried to force a character into a particular personality, it came out flat and…well, forced.
So instead of fighting my characters and trying to shove them into a particular personality box, I’ve been trying a new method of just letting them do their own thing. I start with a vague image of what they look like and what I think they might be like, then run with it. And so far at least? It’s been pretty fun to watch them develop, and on more than one occasion, they’ve surprised me.
Now, that doesn’t mean that they’re perfect after the first draft—far from it. I often have to take some time during revisions to really pull out elements of their personality and make them distinctive, interesting characters with their own backstory, and flaws, and a life of their own. For me, at least, the time to pull out character sheets and brainstorming methods comes after I’ve already drafted them and gotten to know them a bit—because now I have a solid starting point to build off of.
So that’s my current method—now I want to hear from you: how do you get to know your characters?
Twitter-sized bites:
When do you meet your characters? Here's why a plotter stopped planning characters before drafting. (Click to tweet)
Writers, how do you get to know your characters? Join the discussion at @Ava_Jae's blog. (Click to tweet)
While I have a rough outline for my plot, when it comes to characters, I am a complete and total pantser. They write themselves. I listen in on their conversations. They live their own lives. They suprise me. It's only when I have a complete draft that I take control to adjust aspects of their personality, make them more active, etc. Maybe more control earlier would reduce other problems later. Hmm...something to think about.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when I read the title of the post, I thought it was letting go of the characters, giving them up. I clutched mine to my chest and hissed, "NEVER." ;-)
I definitely do more planning plot-wise than I do with characters. I try to write down each main character's goal/motivation/conflict and a 1-paragraph description of their storyline, but that often changes completely once I start writing. Sometimes new characters even appear as I'm mid-draft, and it's often only when revising that I discover surprising things and new dimensions to my characters that would never have occurred to me during the planning stage! I think that's why I'm not a total planner - I have to give my characters some leeway. :)
ReplyDeleteYour process sounds very similar to mine! Or my current process, at least. I've found that it's a lot easier to hone and tweak an existing personality than it is to try to plan one in advance. No use in trying to force our characters into a personality plan that no longer fits them. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, I can see why the title may have conjured up those thoughts, but that's definitely not what I meant! *clings to characters*
Agreed! I like to outline in advance, but even that's been known to change due to character whims and unexpectedness from them. And I'm totally fine with that, because most times, their plan was better than mine anyway. ^_^
ReplyDeleteI used to be very plot focused but for my current WIP I have done a lot with my characters. First I have a general description of each character which includes what they look like, strongest character traits, role in story, relation to MC, weapons (if any), interests, and for my MC and a couple others handwriting (there are many letters exchanged in my book). Then for each character I do a voice journal. In other words I sit down at my computer or typewriter and pretend I am them. I let my fingers take over as I type out anything s/he tells me to. Sometimes it is lots of backstory to help me understand them and other times it is just them ranting. I always get into their voice after that. Sometimes if the voice journal reveals some interesting stories I write a short story. Am I ADHD...maybe but it is great fun and I always have a deeper connection with the character when I do this.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I outline the plot events beforehand, and they usually stay the same, but I always leave room for my characters to run the show! :)
ReplyDeleteWow! That's so detailed and interesting! Sounds like you really know your characters very well long before you start writing. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm very similar. I start with something very loose then by the middle of my WIP (and usually three drafts in), all of a sudden I'm getting to know my MC and they're fleshed out all over the place.
ReplyDeleteYou've given me another blog post idea.
What would I do without you Ava?
That's exactly what I do. I create them with a purpose or an archetype but I just start writing and their personality always comes out subconsciously in me. It helps that I often subvert cliches and archetypes in all my stories so I always know what direction to take them (the opposite of the usual!) but I'm always surprised that often from their moment of creation I usually have a voice for them. They have something distinctive, usually in their manner of speaking. It surprises me all the time but I just go with it.
ReplyDeleteI'm particularly proud of my sewer mutants who came out sounding like 19th century gentlemen Shame I'll probably never publish that novel...
There are definitely certain things I learn as I go. I start with a name, or a specific scenario in mind, and then I let the fingers walk and the brain disconnect to see how they got there. It's one thing to "create a character", it's another thing to see how that character behaves in a given situation.
ReplyDeleteYes, this is very much how I discover my characters as well. Then again, I'm a pantser through and through. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy to help, Shay! ^_^ Part of the reason I really enjoy revising so much is because of that fleshing out—you start out excited with a skeleton, then really get to know your story and your characters while revising.
ReplyDeleteThe subconscious is a pretty amazing thing. Something I love about writing (and that non-writers often don't understand) is that a lot of the story and characters happens differently than I originally imagined, or even better than I'd hoped. We really don't (usually) plan absolutely everything—our subconscious takes over and makes its own changes along the way.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a great distinction! You're totally right—creating a character is an entirely different experience than watching them in action.
ReplyDeleteThen it especially makes sense for you. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's something I've come to terms with through tabletop role playing games, actually. The character I lay down on paper and kind of have in my head but haven't played yet? Well, she might not be the same person I think she is, until she starts walking and talking. It's interesting, and something I would never have known without gaming.
ReplyDelete