This week I introduced the tribe at Ringer Library to creating authentic characters. We started out with the daunting task of filling out a character profile. I really like this one from Martinaboone.com. Here is the link. These things are just helpful to me. I don't start out with blue eyes and end up with brown. I know what my character likes and dislikes. I know if they get on with their siblings.
Next we moved on to character personality test. I like the Meyers-Briggs test and the Enneagram test. I know some of the questions go over the heads of us all, but these tests give a good read on personality type. You take the quiz not as yourself but as your character. The resulting character personality type helps you make decisions for your characters.
Next we had some play time. Each tribe member walked into the room and took their seat. The rest of the tribe offered descriptors of what they were seeing. This little exercises helps the writer understand the proprioception of his or her character.The whole thing about five senses is not strictly true. We have many more. Don't believe me? Check here.
Finally we had conversations as our characters.We sat in circles and discussed our story journeys as our characters. It's an interesting thing to inhabit your character and is informative in a special way. The exercise forces you to do what your character does, think as your character does, feel as your character does. You must leave yourself behind. When writing, this helps you hold to your POV.
I hope our exercises help you create authentic characters. Always look beyond the surface and get down to the bones. Dig deeper and find the sour. This is the way to go.
I will be back next week with more of Publish. We have a journey ahead!
Now a doodle.
And finally a quote for your pocket.
I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become. C. G. Jung
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