 For Authors: August 24, 2011 Issue [#4572] |
  For Authors
This week: Play with your characters Edited by: THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!  
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Authors steep themselves in their characters. For the author, that person is real.
But has this been conveyed to the reader? Here are some games that might help you test this out. |
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Hi!
Thinking of some of my favourite literary characters over the years, I realise that one of the reasons that they're so dear to me is that their personality traits are clearly drawn; I feel I know them personally.
Often, though the characters are complex and deep, their main characteristics can be summed up in a few words or phrases.
Take some of Wodehouse's creations. Jeeves solves Bertie Wooster's problems, discretely and completely, and usually extracts 'payment' in some form or other. Lord Emsworth is absent-minded and loves his pig. Psmith has a superior air about him, and nothing can rattle the man.
Take Anne, from Anne of Green Gables. She's well meaning but gets into scrapes all the time. Take Hermione Granger, from Harry Potter. She has the answers, she cares deeply for her friends and the causes close to her, and she's only willing to break the rules when there is a very good reason to do so.
So - memorable characters can be created with a few carefully selected characteristics that stick. And how do you know whether you've achieved this? Here are a couple of games that may just help.
Yes instead of No and vice-versa
Once you've written the story or chapter with your character making a particular choice, try re-writing it with the character making the opposite choice. In Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, try a scenario where Harry doesn't go to the Department of Mysteries to save Sirius. It won't work. Harry's character is so strong - he has a 'saving people thing' and won't let you write on with the opposite choice. Try that with your characters, too. If you feel uncomfortable with them making the opposite choice, then the character is created strongly enough.
Equal and opposite reaction
Once you've tried with choices, try it with spontaneous reactions.
Try letting Wodehouse's Psmith show that something has moved him beyond his usual calm. Won't work. He gets hold of himself so quickly, he never shows he's deeply moved emotionally. Similarly, your character's spontaneous reactions should be so ingrained, they cannot be imagined to react any other way.
You could try making other changes - like in appearance. Harry Potter without the glasses. Willy Wonka in a t-shirt. Psmith without the monocle. In speech patterns, in mannerisms ... try re-writing with changes in these aspects of your character, and, hopefully, your character is so strong, this'll make you uncomfortable!
Thanks for listening! 
Sonali |
An interesting new group!
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By our authors!
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Please add to my in-and-out!
A thought-provoking poll!
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Some all-time favourites!
Please welcome our Newbies!
Oh, and - here's some purposely bad writing! 
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M.Harris  says - Thanks for posting my really bad writing "My Friend That Repairs Cables" I like Manuel. He is very easy going. |
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Thanks to those who responded to "For Authors Newsletter (February 10, 2010)" !
NanoWriMo2018 Into the Earth 
Awesome! I loved how you created the story w/ those in and out responses. thank you fro sharing such a creative and inspirational idea with us. now, if i can take that inspiration and run with it...
Briar Rose
"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Pride and Prejudice
"O for a Muse of Fire that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention..." Henry V
Those are two of the best first lines ever.
Vivian 
Interesting concept and result.
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