1-2-3 Writing Blog: Let’s Talk About A Character Trick
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
1 WRITING IDEA
Here’s a quick trick for developing a character. Ask yourself: if they were to carry a purse or a bag, what would be inside?
Maybe it’s lipstick. Or credit cards. But push it deeper….
What about?
A miniature harmonica
A pair of antique opera glasses
A book of poetry
A set of lock-picking tools
An opened condom pack
A set of foreign coins
A foldable boomerang
A spy pen with invisible ink
A fossilized shark tooth
A tiny brass telescope
You get the idea.
Throw one of those bad boys in there and suddenly you’ve got an interesting character.
2 WRITING QUOTES
“Respect your characters, even the minor ones. In art, as in life, everyone is the hero of their own particular story.
”
“It’s the characters. That’s what I spend most of my time with. Once I’ve done that, character will speak to plot and story.
”
3 Writing Questions
What do your characters want in the story? What are they searching for?
What is standing in their way, and what are they willing to do to remove the obstacles?
How do your characters respond to failure, stress, and other emotional situations?
What if a trip to the Amazon resulted in an amazing discovery?
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About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.