Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Blog Chain: My Imaginary Friends

It's blog chain time again, and I'm starting this round! Exciting and scary at the same time. Okay, here's what I want to know:

Where do your characters come from? And once they've been introduced to you, how do you get to know them?

Most of my characters are loosely based on people I've known throughout my life. Or, more accurately, different traits from multiple people crammed into each character. I've also stolen a trait or two from characters I've liked in movies or on TV. And, of course, all my characters have a little bit of me in them--some more than others. But that’s just the beginning. My characters have to feel like living, breathing people before I can really get to the heart of the story, which, to me, is the characters. :) So how do I get there?

I've tried all sorts of things to improve my understanding of my characters. Those dreadful character interviews. Ugh. I don't even like filling those out for myself. And journaling from the character's POV, but it never lasts very long. I always want to get back to writing, which usually happens after I'm distracted by a bit of dialogue that I just have to write down. That leads to a reaction from another character and, before you know it, I've completely forgotten about whatever lame interview/journal thing I was working on.

It's taken a lot of trial and error to figure this out, but the thing that works best for me is just writing--scenes that usually don't end up in the finished product but help me understand how a character would react in a situation. The key is to go in with no preconceived ideas about how the scene should go. I just present a conflict--story-related or otherwise--and let the characters take over. This has worked for most of my characters. Sure, in the end I have a lot of discarded scenes, but it's what works for me.


So what about you? How do you get to know your characters?
Be sure to check out Cole's post tomorrow. :)

15 comments:

  1. Great topic! If only I knew how to answer. ;)

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  2. Ooh, great topic! I get my characters from some people I have known too and some of my traits and some just appear with a voice. I like, too, how you just itch to get writing rather than character wkshts. I'm the same way. :-)

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  3. I cheat a little in that I figure out what kind of personality each character needs to forward the plot, then work from there. Usually writing their dialogue helps me pin down their voice, and then they really are imaginary friends. I tend to use the characteristics of people I know more for side characters, which helps me flesh them out. But after enough time together, my main characters become very distinct in the way they reveal scenes and dialogue to me.

    Great post!

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  4. Good question. They tend to just come to me. I'm sure some are based on people I know and myself. I tend to talk to them a lot and then they just develop.
    That sounds weird doesn't it. Oh well. That's how it happens.
    Have a great day!

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  5. Hmmmm, this is going to be interesting to see how everyone answers it (including myself LOL). Great question though.

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  6. Yeah, I don't know how I "develop" characters. I generally have a loose idea of who are my characters, but then I have to tweak their personalities to make em interesting.

    Great topic! :D

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  7. I'm with you on the interviews and journaling. I'd rather dig out my spleen with a spaghetti noodle. *runs off to write post*

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  8. I usually do a brief backstory for the characters. Then I just write and let them develop how it feels natural.

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  9. Hey Abby! How are you??

    For my first book, I did character interviews. My current project, I'm just flying by the seat of my pants.

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  10. ooo good topic - gonna save my answer for my post lol but looks like we are similar in a lot of respects :D It'll be fun to see how everyone answers :)

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  11. Gah! I'm late for the chain. I am the weakest link this time around. Great question! It's going to be interesting to see how everyone answers.

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  12. Wow! This is a really good topic. I'm not sure how I'll answer it when my turn comes.

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  13. Great question! I also like to find my characters by just writing.

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  14. Just sitting down and writing is the best way for me to develop a character as well. This is a great topic.

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  15. Great topic! I can't wait to see how everyone answers.

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