Editor's Note: When you are developing your novel, you need to get to know your characters. This workshop offers a list of questions you must asnwer about your character, but this author disagrees. Here is his take on how to get to know a character.
V.A. writes:
I've studied character charts since I was 21, and in that study I've learned that character charts have worthless information that doesn't really bring characters to life. I've learned over the years that in order to bring characters to life. The writer needs to know the main characters primary goal, conflicts, obstacles, and motivations. These elements should be mainly expanded to bring characters to life. Details of characters should pertain to the story or characters. Like for example: Fears and apprehensions, and yearnings and dreams sense of humor, and code of ethics. As well as professions and marital status and romantic relationships. These should be included if the story if it requires them. Most writers just fill out a character chart without purpose and reason. If I am writing a romance novel primary goals, obstacles, resolutions to the problems and motivations and romantic relationships are most important here. But if you stop and look at a character charts. What details are important to what our story is about. Do these details relate to what the story is about or do these details become a part of our protagonist. Characters can come alive with just expanding on the primary goals, conflicts, and motivations and emotions and actions. I think well-intention writers don't have any other way of creating memorable characters. So they encourage aspiring writers to fill out these charts. But what I've learned through my reading and studying character charts. Characters don't need much detail. Just two or four sentences of knowing the characters profession, marital status, and so on. Next time, look at a character chart and study it. What information there pertains to your story or character?
I've seen in character charts where it has views on politics. Unless my character is running for congress or sensator that information is worthless to my story. I've had problems with character charts before. But I've learned and studied them. I've looked at my idea very closely and I ask myself: What do I want to know about my hero? What will pertain to my story or his character? If my hero yearns for something is that important to him or to my idea. Another words I search out important information that I can include in my plot. I like to add major goals too. And expand it. And so on. I'm amazed how many people don't know how to use a character chart and they just fill it out without why they are doing it.
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