Who Are These People - #1

Abstract Face by Bobbi Jones Jones

This past week I've been approached by three different people asking for help with a story they were each developing. Mostly they had a good idea of what they wanted the story to accomplish, but had trouble fleshing out characters. One of them didn't even has a story to tell yet! First I had to fight the urge to be flattered, but I knew what I was going to advise as soon as they asked.

* This is the first of many posts I'll write about character development and share some of my favorite techniques to help you get out of a funk.

Writing standout characters is simple if you have the right kind of checklist to follow, and I don't mean those lists which make you come up with their favorite colors or a log of their morning rituals. Those are helpful after the basics are in place, but those alone don't make the character.

The first thing to figure out is what would a character in your story want. Desire is important, since it fuels action. One of my creative writing professors had this piece of advice that I quote to everyone having trouble. Try it out by filling in the blanks.

"Once upon a time there was a __________, and what he/she/it wanted more than anything in the world was _______________. . ."

See? Immediately your character finds a reason to live, to exist in the story.What your character, especially your protagonist, wants is best as the main drive of the story. Otherwise you start having your character doing things that don't amount to anything important.

Frodo wanted to destroy the One Ring. Bella wanted to become a vampire. Winston wanted to overthrow Big Brother. Everything those characters do in their books relate to that one desire. Start with one and as your story fleshes out your characters become more dynamic.

But hold on, your protagonists can't be the only one with desires.

". . .But he/she/it couldn't, because _______________."

What fun is a story where the characters get everything they want? We need some opposition to make your character's desires more elusive. The opposition could be anything really (social norms, natural disasters, crooked politicians, yadda yadda) but creating an antagonist creates more intrigue than a faceless mass. Someone personal to the main character to make the betrayal worse, or perhaps someone that grows to be closer to them.

In the end it's up to you to decide what your story needs to make sense. A good rule of thumb for what will "make sense" is whatever you can pinpoint a purpose for. Characters with clear cut and compelling desires give them, and you, something to work for.