Understanding the Personality of Your Characters

By Christine Fonseca

Writing compelling story is more than simply writing a great story with a great plot. What makes a story compelling are the characters! And writing characters that you remember long after you finish the book requires getting to know them – well. Their personalities. Their emotions.

But how do you do that, build robust characters with well defined personalities and a strong emotional arc?

I start with lists. Lots of them.

I begin with a one word description of them – not in terms of looks, but in terms of the “clique” they’d belong to. The cheerleader, the nerd, the cutter, the warrior, etc.

Then I begin to list personality traits, their emotional make-up. Things like strong, confused, a dreamer, etc.

This is where it all begins for me.

As the brainstorming continues, I pay attention to the attributes I subscribe to the main characters of the story. It’s important to me for my heroes to be a bit villainous and for my villains to be redemptive.

Complex, rich, diverse – all of this happens as I list the traits and see all the aspects of my characters.

This list helps me understand my characters – what motivates them to do the things they do. It also helps me make sure my characters are authentic throughout the book.

In my most recent story, A BEAUTIFUL MESS, my main characters are an angelic warrior called a Sentinal and a fallen angel called the UnHoly.

Let’s look at their personalities:

Nesy, the Sentinal:

• Fierce
• Loyal
• A rule follower
• Compassionate
• Deeply emotional
• Controlled
• Passionate
• Afraid

By the end of the story, many of these aspects of her personality have been morphed into something quite different due to the events that move the story forward.

Aydan, the UnHoly

• Passionate
• Chaotic
• Fierce
• Ruthless
• Loyal
• Impulsive
• Relentless

By the end, his traits change too, as some of the more subtle personality traits, including redemption, are revealed.

Our characters should really be as diverse as we – flawed, messy, and a bit unpredictable.

What do you guys think? How do you form full characters?

Bio –

Christine Fonseca writes books for parents and kids related to giftedness, as well as YA novels. Her recent release, EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS is the resource for parents and educators working with the difficult emotional make-up of gifted kids. You can find Christine on her blog or hanging on facebook and twitter.

Christine’s Upcoming Releases:

• Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students (October 1, 2010, Prufrock Press)
• 101 Secrets for Gifted Kids (Spring 2011, Prufrock Press)

Bookmark This

    I know that a lot of writer’s use their own personality traits in character’s in their book.   Jane Austin used her whit with Elizabeth, her loyalty with Ann, her romanticism with Catherine, her hopes with Eleanor. 

   I am not a great writer such as Jane Austin, she wrote beautiful stories, but I can say that my character’s do have my personality.  In one form or another.  I am not sure if it is such a good thing. *wink* 

    I would like to know what personality trait you have that you have given to your characters?  I will start.  I love being an EMT.  I love it so much that I am going back to school to become a Paramedic.  One class you have to take is Human anatomy.  We have a cadaver lab and I was involved with working with the cadaver’s.  In fact our class was lucky to get a fresh one.  We got to watch the dissection of the male cadaver.  I can touch the cadaver with no problems, but the smell was horrific!  I could watch the dissection and help hold parts of the body, such as the heart, liver, and colon, but I could not go home and cut chicken.  The chicken grossed me out, not the cadaver.  I have one character that is super sensitive about smells and another that is a nurse, but she can’t stand to cook. 

    I may be extremely weird, but as my teenage foster daughter puts it, that’s how I roll.  I like having character’s that are just a bit off, a bit weird. 

    How about you, what personality traits do you have that you have given to a character?

Bookmark This

Jane Austen once said, “write what you know.  Places you have been, people you have observed.”  That is all of the quote that I can remember, but it stuck with me.  I love history, but I was not around to observe older times.   If I try to write a story that is older than my grandparents, it sounds false.  I have been a bit more successful with my grandparents and parents generations because I have observed them, heard their stories, seen the places they are talking about.   I actually love my characters that are based on them.  I prefer to write stories that are placed in their generations.  My question then is what is your poison?  What generation do you like to drink from for inspiration?  Tell me about your characters in that generation.  Just a fun share with everyone.

Thanks,  Brenna

Bookmark This

In the last few months I have been without a running vehicleand I have been forced to take public transportation. At first I grumbled and groaned especially on snowy days but I have recently realized the treasure trove of new characters that ride the bus and train with me every day.  I know this seems like a desperate attempt for fresh creativity but I have never met more interesting people than I have while taking my daily commute.  Case in point, yesterday I met a snaggletoothed woman that was obsessing over a womans yellow dress. Over and over she would say how pretty it was and how she wished she had a yellow dress and how cute it would look on her.  Some people would consider this woman to be crazy and feel sorry for her, but I immediately started to create her back story about the yellow dress.  She quickly became a believeable and very real character…because she was real and I was witness to her.  I have decided that if I am going to be a serious writer that I would take each inspiration no matter how small or bizzare it may seem at the time.

Bookmark This

1. Are you a “pantser” or a “plotter?”
I tend to have an idea of the beginning and the end and, of course, the characters, but I sit down to write and a scene plays out in my head and I just write it. I’ve no control. People die, crazy things happen, I find out things about my characters that I had never even considered…. And I love it all. But, that said, I definitely have an idea about what’s going to happen. I just have no clue how my MC is going to end up there.

2. Detailed character sketches or “their character will be revealed to me as I write?”
I did one character sketch and it worked all right, but she was my first *real* character. Once I got down how to portray a character, I realized I didn’t need the sketch. I have a great one — super detailed and I can see how it can help a lot of writers, but I learn about my characters as I go. They definitely reveal themselves. Even with the girl I did sketch out, I ended up finding out later that she was a cutter at one point and now has blood lust going on…definitely didn’t plan either of those, but it’s who she is..

3. Do you know your characters’ goals, motivations, and conflicts before you start writing or is that something else you discover only after you start writing?
Only for one book. The first one. It *might* be my best, but it also has allowed me the freedom not to have to work so hard on the subsequent ones. I have more confidence. Once an idea enters my head, I take a few notes and let it all simmer ’til I can sit down and then I just write. I suppose I do have a good idea of what’s going on, but really only in the back of my mind. And it’s the knowledge the characters give me…not anything that I hyper aware of.

4. Books on plotting – useful or harmful?
Books on plotting are probably not all that harmful. Maybe not super useful, either, but what’s wrong with learning something new? As long as you’re not reading a book about *how* to write, in general (because, let’s face it, if you have to be taught how to write, you’re probably not a writer), I don’t see the harm. [Sorry, I'm not one of those people who believe writers can be made...]
I do believe that learning how to *tell* a story is super important. A writer must know how to portray the action and have reason for everything. If a character can easily get out of a situation, then something in your book needs to change. There has to be a reason for everything. Otherwise there’s no point. And I mention this mainly because a good friend read a few books on storytelling and he made me realize that that’s key. I’ve always asked questions about plot holes in movies and such—ever since I was little. If a character has a choice, but only make a certain one just to keep the story going, then something needs to be done…. Motivation/necessity — crucial!

5. Are you a procrastinator or does the itch to write keep at you until you sit down and work?
I’m a procrastinator, but only because I have no choice. If I could sit down and write constantly, I would. And I’ve done it before. But it caused some problems with the family, and now I’m taking care of my child completely by myself so I just don’t have the opportunities that I used to. But the itch is definitely there. It kills me.

6. Do you write in short bursts of creative energy, or can you sit down and write for hours at a time?
It completely depends. I *can* write eight hours a day and churn out chapter after chapter. But I just don’t have the chance. Now, if I was getting paid to write novels rather than articles, I’d have my child in day care after school and I’d work a *normal* work day and get a ton accomplished. But I don’t have that luxury

7. Are you a morning or afternoon writer?
Neither. I’m an ‘everyone’s gone to bed and I Finally have no responibilities’ type of writer. Along with the fact that I work better at night. I don’t really wake up ’til about 3 or 4 in the afternoon (I mean, I’m awake and up, but my brain isn’t functioning properly) and I’m raring to go at around 9-10pm. I stay up ’til 3, on average, but some nights I don’t even go to sleep. My personal filter tends to disappear then and I can just be me and let the characters flow through me at the same time. I don’t have to be a mom or a daughter or whatever else I’m supposed to be. I can just be a writer.

8. Do you write with music/the noise of children/in a cafe or other public setting, or do you need complete silence to concentrate?
I can write with about any noise besides music. Only because I’m way too into music and I’ll start listening to the lyrics and then my thoughts get all jumbled. I edit with music, though. Editing is like doing the dishes to me. Just second nature. Even though my characters write for me, it still takes more effort to churn out the draft than it does to revise/edit.

9. Computer or longhand? (Or typewriter?)
Computer. I’ll sometimes write scenes in my notebooks or journals, usually the beginning of a book — to become more personal with it. If I write it out longhand, I create a stronger bond with the brand new characters. But once that part’s done, it’s off to the computer I go. Even typing, it’s hard to keep up with my thoughts. I cannot write fast enough.

10. Do you know the ending before you type Chapter One?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. It depends. My first book, yes. The other three I have going…I’ve not a clue. But I have others in my head that I know the ending to. I’m really not a type of writer you can pinpoint. I am how I am and that means jack…which can be rather annoying at times.

11. Does what’s selling in the market influence how and what you write?
I’ve honestly only considered the market once, and it was more about what was best for my character more than the market. But the decision was huge and market did factor in. Otherwise, an emphatic NO! If you’re writing for the market, well, nevermind. I won’t go there….

12. Editing – love it or hate it?
Adore it. I love making something better. It’s so great to me. But hey, I went to school to be an editor so I’m a little different than other writers. I know most aren’t the least bit fond of revisions.

13. Why do you want to write?
It’s not so much that I want to — I have to. It’s just me. Even if I’m just making a list for the store…I love writing. I love putting words together. I can do that with speaking, and I do — I don’t shut up half the time — but writing is just so much more. It’s a life in itself. Whole other worlds…. It’s just the best. I can’t Not write.

14. Do you want to publish your work? Why?
Of course! Some things are just for me, but I love sharing what I’ve written with others. I’d adore it if that could happen on a larger scale.

15. Do like to write alone or do you like to work with others?
Alone. Yup. I like advice from others after the fact, but while I’m writing I like to be alone. But heck, even if I’m not alone, you’d think I was. I ignore everything else going on around me. I can’t help it. Writing sucks me in and has more of a hold on me than pretty much anything else in life. Seems writing is my life.

Since winning her first writing competition at a young age, Eden Tyler, has only fallen more in love with the written word. She uses her English, Psychology, and Sociology backgrounds to create depth to her own stories and novels while contributing to and running websites about writing. This is what fulfills her, along with working as Co-Editor for Fuel Your Writing, but she also enjoys the freelance work that puts food on the table (and that ever-essential roof overhead) for her family.

---

Every person who is familiar with stories whether they are movies, comics, or books know of the antagonist.  The antagonist is usually the “bad guy” in the story, and without the antagonist there is no story.

As a writer, it is important to never forget this important line about antagonists, “They are people too”.  This is probably the most important maxim that a writer must live by other than “show don’t tell”.

I put together a list of things to keep in mind while creating the most crucial character in your book.

1) Who is the antagonist?
Like building any other character, one must create a detailed history of the antagonist.  The financial background, family life, favorite food, etc.

2) Why is the antagonist antagonizing the protagonist?
What is the ulterior motive?  Did the “good guy” in the novel make fun of the “bad guy” in high school?  People don’t just do things, there is a logic behind everything that is done, whether it is sound or not.

3) Give the antagonist a weakness.
No one wants to read a book that the antagonist completely overwhelms the protagonist, making no hope or point in the plot.

4)  Make sure that the antagonist has a soft-spot
Does the antagonist have a thing for fluffy bunnies?  Make sure to keep in mind that the antagonist is a person.

5) Is there a chance at redemption for the antagonist?
As a writer, it is imperative to be clear of the antagonist’s strengths, failings, and heart.  Does the antagonist deserve redemption?  Remember that this will not be in the eyes of you as a writer, but in the eyes of the protagonist.  The protagonist has the power to offer the “bad guy” a second chance if the “good guy” is really good.  Of course, the ball will then be in the “bad guy’s” court, whether he or she will accept the offer.

6) Don’t be afraid to let the tables turn
Let the story run its course when writing without cramping the style of the characters.  They may shock you with what they have done in their past and will do with their new experiences.  Be open to having a role reversal or having the reader understand the antagonist.

I think the most important thing in creating an effective antagonist is remembering that they are not just objects that make life more difficult for the protagonist, the antagonist is a real person.

Ariel Ceylan

http://ceylanthewriter.wordpress.com/

Ariel is a seventeen-year-old girl, a senior in high school, that has published her first book on September 24^th, 2009 through Xlibris, a self-publishing company.

Along with writing, Ariel Ceylan hopes to become a psychiatrist or a neurosurgeon.

Ariel Ceylan is a Girl Scout, a Gold Awardee, a People to People Student Ambassador, and a member of Girls’ State.  In her spare time, she loves to write, draw, sew, and create computer programs.

Her book is entitled The Tales of Whithith: The Assignment.  This book is about Zephyr, a Sorcerer-in-Training who is given an assignment about the mythology of the world he lives in.  Zili is a Warrior who is on a mission to build a watcher-group to monitor the worlds in case anything should happen to them…

Her book is available on Barnes and Noble, online as well as on Xlibris’ website.