I'm not sure how other writers create characters. I have read how other writers struggle to create characters that are believable, or interesting (hopefully both!). I've watched other author's yell at the characters they are writing about, or complain that the characters don't want to do what they feel the plot needs them to do.
I've never been blessed (or cursed!) by any of this. Over the years I've come up with a way to create characters that are interesting, and drive the story forward. I think it's an amalgam of several writing methods I've glommed onto over the many years I've spent trying to write. Would you like to know what my secret is?
Tune in next time for ...
... just kidding!
I simple create characters by stereo type. I take a typical person with an occupation, and give them at least two conflicting personality quirks and watch them squirm.
For instance, in The Tomb of the Vampire Princess Sword the main characters, Captain John Blackstone is defined by several characters quirks: He is shy around women, he wants desperately to prove he is worth something outside his family heritage, he is in love with his navigator, he believes that a man is what he does, not how is born, and he still thinks that nobles are born to lead, he is deathly afraid of heights, and he is an airship captain.. In short, this guy is one messed up individual.
VIllains get the same treatment. After all, they aren't villains to themselves. Take Basil Rathborn. He's a Raptor from the Ascendancy. He loves a good con. He strongly believes that humans are happiest and best served when they serve the Ascendancy. He believes that might makes right, except when the might belongs to someone else. He thinks he is smarter than everyone else. He values loyalty. He will use anyone to accomplish his tasks. Again, this guy practically writes himself!
Anyway, I hope you at least ind this amusing. Write in plain sight!
I've never been blessed (or cursed!) by any of this. Over the years I've come up with a way to create characters that are interesting, and drive the story forward. I think it's an amalgam of several writing methods I've glommed onto over the many years I've spent trying to write. Would you like to know what my secret is?
Tune in next time for ...
... just kidding!
I simple create characters by stereo type. I take a typical person with an occupation, and give them at least two conflicting personality quirks and watch them squirm.
For instance, in The Tomb of the Vampire Princess Sword the main characters, Captain John Blackstone is defined by several characters quirks: He is shy around women, he wants desperately to prove he is worth something outside his family heritage, he is in love with his navigator, he believes that a man is what he does, not how is born, and he still thinks that nobles are born to lead, he is deathly afraid of heights, and he is an airship captain.. In short, this guy is one messed up individual.
VIllains get the same treatment. After all, they aren't villains to themselves. Take Basil Rathborn. He's a Raptor from the Ascendancy. He loves a good con. He strongly believes that humans are happiest and best served when they serve the Ascendancy. He believes that might makes right, except when the might belongs to someone else. He thinks he is smarter than everyone else. He values loyalty. He will use anyone to accomplish his tasks. Again, this guy practically writes himself!
Anyway, I hope you at least ind this amusing. Write in plain sight!