Character Creation

Today's focus is on character creation, one of the most important elements of any narrative. My students tend to struggle with this part of their story as they simply can't allow their imagination to take over as they create. Here are some ideas that may help you write a great character:

1. Let go of your fears and simply write. Jack Kerouac wrote the initial scroll for On the Road without punctuation and it is a brilliant work; if he hadn't entered the process with a sense of free thought, there might not be a great novel.
2. Look at pictures of people or characters that you like - what do they look like? The first thing we notice about people is their appearance so as you create remember that.
3. Identify the character's goals or objectives, their prominent beliefs, and their strengths and weaknesses.
4. Although it may not appear in your final work, create a back story for your character. What got them to the first line of the book? What helped to make them who they are in this moment?
5. Think about those minor, random moments that define our lives - these are the moments you want to consider while creating the character.
6. Use a character creator or avatar creator so you can visualize the character.

To really write a great character, you need to close your eyes and imagine yourself as that character. Don't self-sabotage by putting boundaries on your creativity!!