One Way to Write

Creating Characters

There are a million ways under the sun to do this.

I'll first use Jay as an example in explaining what I do. Note, Jay began as a supporting character in the book Our Strange Love. He was the MC's best friend.

Preliminary Development

1. I visualize a type of character―a person with a collection of interesting traits.

I wanted Jay to be your playboy type―playful, free-spirited, a bit selfish, but generally good to his friends.

2. I visualize their physical demeanor, habits, stance, etc.

Jay's a sloucher, sits with his knees apart and forearms resting on his thighs. When he stands, he'll shift his weight onto one side. He's smirks rather than smiles, and it's at times suspicious-looking. He doesn't hold back on the curse words.

3. I visualize how they'd physically react in certain types of situations

Jay's "Wtf are you doing man?" reaction.

Jay's "Fuck, that's serious" reaction.

4. I visualize how they'd verbally react in certain types of situations.

→→

All of this is preliminary stuff before story-writing. It helps me have a more robust image and understanding of the character. With this, they stay pretty consistent and I don't run into the problem of them doing OOC things. ✧I know who they are before I start writing.✧

Background Development

I next decide on their background. Depending on the character's role in the story, I may do some of these things before writing. I definitely have all of these decided before writing for main characters. Order and details vary, so I'll be bulleting.

- Ethnicity, sexuality, etc.

I decided Jay was really into girls before I started writing. I wasn't decided on his ethnicity until after completing OSL.

- Family (members, names, income level, parenting style, closeness, occupations, etc.)

I knew before writing Jay was a rich kid, but not spoiled and stuck up. I chose to make his parents self-made furniture designers more than halfway through OSL. Somewhere in there I quickly decided he had a sister. Before I started his book, Smile for Me, I decided everything else.

- Major life events (divorce, death, move, etc.)

I chose to keep a dark past or any major events out of Jay's history. His trouble-free past probably contributes to his easygoing attitude. These aren't things I always consciously consider, but they always fall into place―so I'm sure there's some subconscious deliberation going on to make things stay consistent.

Details Development

I don't always do this and sometimes even when I do, it isn't until after I've started writing.

- Smoker? (I knew Jay was a smoker before writing)

- Hobbies (I knew Jay was a gamer before writing)

- Skills

- Physical traits that stand out

Things I don't do, but I've heard others do that may help you:

- Model them after a character, celebrity, or person you already know

- Fill out a character profile sheet

- Take a personality test as your character (MBTI or other)

- Model them after a personality type (MBTI, Zodiac, Blood type, etc.)

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Takeaway: Know who your characters are before you start writing.

Hope that helps! Leave any questions in the comments. What topic would you like me to cover next?