In my blog reading last week, I came across an interesting post on the Seeing Creative blog.
Sometimes I think stereotypes are nice for writers. I know that sounds odd to say, but if you’re writing a minor character–if you have your stock nerd, jock, prom queen, etc., the reader instantly gets the character. There’s not a lot of work needed there. It’s easy. And it’s easy for the reader, too—particularly if they’re trying to get acquainted with all the other characters (the important characters) in your book.
But stock characters won’t work for a protagonist or other characters with large roles. Obviously, if our books are overflowing with stereotypes, we haven’t done our jobs as writers.
A cool way to shake up stereotypes and help create unique characters was mentioned in the post “Creating the Non-Stereotypical Character.” Stina Lindenblatt said that author Mary Buckham recently conducted a workshop through her local RWA chapter. In the workshop, she had the writer either pick the occupation or hobby/interest of the main characters in their novel, then list 5 character traits associated with those careers. Ms. Buckham then had the author switch the traits around. You can see some results here.
Another good way to create unique character is by blending the traits of several different strong personalities of people you know.
How do you keep your characters unique? Do you sometimes use stock characters for minor roles in your book?
I totally agree with you ‘Old Silly.’ It cheapens the narrative when authors do that.
For character design, I use real examples of people I meet and exaggerate or diminish specific traits accordingly. As a bartender, I am granted a nice variety of personalities.
Character development is probably my biggest challenge as a writer. My MCs are usually okay, but my supporting characters always need fluffiing up after the rough draft.
Thanks for the post and the great links. Now to implement this advice…
Elizabeth – I hope this comment doesn’t get “doubled.” I tried to leave it earlier, but I couldn’t :-(. At any rate, thanks for sharing those creative ideas to flesh characters out. It’s interesting that you mention being inspired by personality traits of people we know or have met. That has most definitely happened to me, although my characters are much more often composites of personality traits I’ve encountered than they are of real people, so to speak. But I do pick up on what the people around me are like. I think most writers do.
I listen to my characters. Really listen. And I often don’t like the direction they wish to go and then I have to listen harder -whenever I TRY and make them be a certain way – even if I think it is in the interest of the reader – I fail. They will be quirky enough, different enough, if I just let them be and make sure I have their voices right. And I have to keep my own predelictions off of them!
I just ran upon your blog a little while back. I often find the things you write and the other blogs you link to helpful. Thanks.
I use lots of stock characters when I write flash fiction – or minor characters in novels. But it is always useful to find tips on how to make the important characters credible. And yes, I do snatch bits and pieces from people I know in real life.
Great idea! Like people associate tall, dark and handsome = broody. It can be wrong, totally.
Chemical Fusion
I hadn’t really thought about using “stock” characters for bit parts, but it does make sense. No need to waste all your creativity and make the reader work hard to ‘understand’ and ‘visualize’ a walk-on part in an epic story. What I do despise, though, is when an author writes that the character looked just like (fill in famous person’s name here) … meh – kills the whole process of creating a unique image in the mind – which is what good writing is about, hmm?
Like cat, my secondary characters often need that extra push to make them a bit more vibrant and less stock. Thanks for pointing out these tips!
I read Stina’s post and loved it. This is a great idea that I’ll definitely be trying with my next characters!
That’s an interesting way to do it! I’ll try that next time.
Jan–I know what you mean. If we let the characters do their own thing, they’re more unique than anything we can come up with. And when our characters start getting too much like us, we’re in trouble!
Enid–And it’s more fun when it *is* wrong!
The Old Silly –Good point–it’s a little lazy of the author and cuts the reader out of being able to come up with a visual image, themselves.
Stephen–I can only imagine! You’d almost meet too *many* characters.
Cat–Good luck with it!
Margot–Composites are always fun to write, aren’t they? It’s almost a Frankenstein-like process of melding different people together. Satisfies the mad scientist in me. :)
Bluestocking–I thought the method sounded interesting, too.
Joe–Thanks so much! :) I appreciate that.
Heather–Me too!
Dorte–I like to do that, too. Sort of create an amalgam of different people that I know (people who stand out.)
Alex–Hope it helps. :)
Great tip! It would be fun to mix and match professions/characteristics like that! :)
Thanks, Jemi! I think it seems fun, too. :)