Today, I would like to talk about characterization (again) and how to build your characters. The other day, I discussed making your characters seem realistic but that is really only a small point. As a writer, you need to know how to build a writer from the onset of the story. Giving the character relatable feelings, actions, and emotions is what makes them seem realistic, and building a foundation for the characters will let you as the writer know how the character would react to or deal with certain situations.
My main reason for writing this post is because, I was struggling with a character that I am currently writing about for my screenplay. My problem was that the character is the complete opposite of me and I kept writing her according to the story and not my initial character description. Then, I realized that the character description was a partially fictionialized bio of myself and not a description of the character, I was writing in the screenplay. In the screenplay, I was writing about a sweet, polite, southern girl who wants to follow the rules. I, however, am from the midwest and I love breaking the rules and being unconventional. But, the way the character grew up and where she was raised, it just doesn't make sense for her to be this wild free spirit.
Veering back to my main point, building characters starts with a basic outline of who your characters are. Write their full name, age, DOB, and current residence. Then, answer the following questions, "What are their likes/dislikes, interests,/hobbies? Level of education? What is their current economic status?" It is important to answer these questions, because, they are the foundation of the characters, these are the elements that makes them who they are. These characteristics also affect how they will function in your story.
In conclusion, once you understand your characters, they will either inspire, sadden, or anger readers. Knowledge of your characters and the ability to create unique, yet relevant, characters will impress your readers and you as a writer will have won the war. Remember, when the page comes to life...so do you.
My main reason for writing this post is because, I was struggling with a character that I am currently writing about for my screenplay. My problem was that the character is the complete opposite of me and I kept writing her according to the story and not my initial character description. Then, I realized that the character description was a partially fictionialized bio of myself and not a description of the character, I was writing in the screenplay. In the screenplay, I was writing about a sweet, polite, southern girl who wants to follow the rules. I, however, am from the midwest and I love breaking the rules and being unconventional. But, the way the character grew up and where she was raised, it just doesn't make sense for her to be this wild free spirit.
Veering back to my main point, building characters starts with a basic outline of who your characters are. Write their full name, age, DOB, and current residence. Then, answer the following questions, "What are their likes/dislikes, interests,/hobbies? Level of education? What is their current economic status?" It is important to answer these questions, because, they are the foundation of the characters, these are the elements that makes them who they are. These characteristics also affect how they will function in your story.
In conclusion, once you understand your characters, they will either inspire, sadden, or anger readers. Knowledge of your characters and the ability to create unique, yet relevant, characters will impress your readers and you as a writer will have won the war. Remember, when the page comes to life...so do you.
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