Considering this is a tricky thing to do at times, I have found that there are two tools that have helped me tons, and so I figure I may as well pass them on. They are character skeletons and conflict charts.
Character Skeletons
What is a character skeleton?
A character skeleton, on the surface, is a basic breakdown of your character. It includes the basic information like age and name, but it also includes the major influences in your character's life and other such things. A character skeleton is an easy way to write as much as you want about your character - and often it will help you point out unexplained things in their life that can lead to deeper realizations. Characters often change throughout the story, so it is often more helpful to gear the questions in a way that will provide insight into how your character will change, things more directed at the nature of the character instead of the bare likes and dislikes.
The basic model that I follow (though there are many variations) includes: Name, name meaning and significance, age, appearance, family, major influences in childhood and life in general, strengths, weaknesses, fears, quirks, misconceptions of other characters, heritage, personality traits, summaries of relationships with other characters, personality changes throughout story, a not-so-brief rant about the character's personality, and other interesting facts. All the categories of course depend on the character, but those are some fun basics.
But, indefinitely, the funnest part of character skeleton is the 'Life and Times' part. A long time ago my friend gave me an idea of writing out my character's entire past and explaining the development of the character along the way. Well, of course, I took advantage of the idea and it was wickedly helpful. I ended up writing almost ten pages just on this character's past. And when you have a written document of your character's past, you can easily draw connections to their actions in the present.
On the other hand, character skeletons can be time-consuming and distracting. I am not giving you an excuse to abandon your story and launch into character skeletons for every single character before continuing.
Conflict Charts
This is where it gets hard. What is a conflict chart?
It is writing out the general and personal goals of each character and listing all the factors conflicting with that goal. Sounds simple, but it isn't, especially not with complex characters where you are left wondering 'what IS my character's goal?!' Most character have more than one goal - at least one exposed goal and one hidden goal (not always), and if you can identify these goals, you can predict how your character will react when those goals are threatened more easily. If you can provide explanations for these goals and conflicts, it is even better. An example.
Liehne Erdelen
Surface Goal: To gain her freedom and keep it.
Conflicts:
- the cost of that freedom is higher than she knows. (ordered to kill her own son)
- she does not remember what it is like to be free and thus has no idea what she will do with her freedom. (was imprisoned for 17 years of her life)
- she grows attached to the son of the one enslaving her and does not want to leave any longer.
Internal Goal 1: To make up for her failures in the past through her actions now
Conflicts:
- loss of memory (she cannot fully remember her failures)
- timidity and sensitivity to accusations (her dreams are devastated by the words of others.)
- hatred for those who have ruined her past (hatred leads her to new failures)
- the person she is trying to use to make up for her failures is not the person she failed.
Internal Goal 2: To regain her memory
Conflicts:
- well, she can't remember.
- the dreams she has about the past make her not want to remember
- as the story progresses, she no longer to wants to revisit the past and only wants to live a good future.
Liehne is a rather simple character, but that is the basic idea. And if you can narrow the goals down to the most influential one, you can make flashcards!
Anyways, for those of you who are struggling in getting to know your characters, I hope this helps out. If you want anymore examples, PM me. Toodles!
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