Characterization, Baby!

I'm one of those writers that pretty much preaches characterization. I do so much of it that my characters talk to me. And they don't. shut. up. Ever.

*Ahem*

Anyway, I really think characterization is important. After all, even if your story is plot-driven, you need solid characters to carry the story and the plot. Me, I start with a basic profile. You know, physical description, likes, dislikes, etc.

But then I take it farther and ask my characters all sorts of questions. What's your favorite color? What actor do you admire? What's your least favorite book and why? Who is your idol? Do you get along with your parents? Even if the question is seemingly unimportant, I ask it.

And then, believe it or not, I take it even farther. In any given situation, I ask myself what my characters would do. If I'm walking down the street and I trip, my immediate thought is "what would so-and-so do if he/she tripped and face-planted?"

I do that so much that after a while I don't even ask. I just know. And a little while after that, I just start hearing my characters talk to me, telling me their reactions. It's pretty intense.

So what about you? How do you characterize?

Me, when I have a character I tend to make a small fill in story beginning and force them through that scenario. Then I'll continue it. For example, if i wrote the following:

[Character Name] went to the store and bought a cat named [cat name]. On [his/her] way home, they were pushed into a wall. [cat name]'s cage broke and it escaped, running down the street...

I would then fill it in and say:

Emily went to the store and bough a cat named Coco. On her way home, they were pushed into a brick wall. Coco's Cage broke and she escaped, running down the street. Emily ran after her. A young man caught Coco just as she got to the end of the block. Emily blushed as their eyes met.

Seeee its even more fun now ^^

I think I'm definitely character-driven rather than plot-driven. I think it's much better to have a simple plot and complex characters, rather than the other way around, because complex characters make a story way more interesting and can definitely advance a plot. I usually fill out a profile for each of my characters (Name, Age, Appearance, Personality, Likes/Dislikes, etc.) and as I'm writing the story, I get to know my characters more and more, thus I add more information into the profiles. After awhile, one character takes up multiple pages. It just takes a little "getting-to-know-you time" between my characters and I.

You know what I think would be a good idea but haven't actually tried yet? My friends always do these quizzes and notes of Facebook, so I wanted to try filling some of them out as my characters. I think it would be really fun. >w<

I like that idea moon ^^

that sounds fun. I know what you mean by pages of one character o.o

I have a ten page -front and back- of a minor character from Black Rose Chronicles. ten. Don't even get me started on a main character

That is a good why to characteriz. i like your idea.

one thing, her mother moved the family to england or the usa because didn't they already live in england?

anyway, I've read a short part of your work and liked it a lot. you've got a good eye for your characters i could tell even in small centences. you should take pride in your work. its very good.

well, the way I get the idea of my characters, I make a list and describe their personality, the way they look, emotions, siblings, age, hair/eye color, and what they're good and bad at.

and I do this for all the characters I have in the book. Normally just the main ones, I never really describe the minor characters because they never have a big part in the book/script. normally if they appear a few times then yes, I will describe them with smaller detail then I will with the major characters

hahhaaha nah, usa is worse then america ^.- but hey we awesome people are here so its all good

yeh, were pretty bad.... shame on the USA

-odds- yep

=]

I just wanted to thank Ashley for the link, because I think this is exactly the kind of thing that will allow me to really make my characters realistic. :]

My characters slowly unfold themselves to me as the story goes on. I hardly know much about them when the story first starts, just like the reader.

Yeah i think its kind of fun to do that way

lucky you

me? i'm crazy, i meet my characters FAR before i write about them. -points to noggen- the live in my head and follow me around all day, kinda like jen.

Once one of them tried to tell me the answers to a test, so i listened. FAILED i later found out in his story he's the evil one -.-

xDD Poor you.

But yeah, it's fun learning about your characters as you go. :] At one point, just try diving into a new novel you're writing and try it out. I recommend it.

yeah its great if your not crazy ^.-

I'm crazy

I'm insanly crazy XD

we both nuts

thats the fun of being creative! you got to be crazy!

indeed it is

um.... me too

Lol well your name sure is creative, mister, My name is Fiction

wooness

isn't it though? i like it :3