  Drama
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| Having trouble understanding a character? It happens to all of us from time to time. We might think we know everything about a character, but after a draft or two of a story, people keep saying they don't understand the character. Sometimes this means you may not know the character well enough to understand his or her (re)actions in the situations raised in your work. This is the time to sit down and have a little chat with those pesky people that are eluding you. |
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I actually have discussed talking to your characters before, although it was through those MySpace surveys that go viral. This time I'll be using a more fine-tuned approach in showing you how to talk to your characters. It requires a little patience and having a general idea of where you want your story to go.
The method I'll be discussing depends a fair amount on reviews you get. More specifically, it depends on getting reviews that address your characters beyond a superficial level. It's also recommended that you wait to use this method until you get at least two opinions on a particular character. These reviews will help you determine what specifics things you need to know about your character in order to make him or her resonate more with readers. In particular, they'll help you find the right questions to ask your characters.
Yes, I said questions to ask your characters. Some writers start out thinking they have total control of their characters. Truth is, your characters more autonomous than you think, and if you don't take the time to get to know them, your story will not always wash with people. Sometimes you get to know a character easily. Most of the time, though, it will be hard going, and you won't learn everything right away. With that in mind, it's recommended that you ask your character questions that pertain to the story and questions that aren't plot relevant but shed light on a character's personality. The number of questions and the types of questions are up to you. If you don't know where to start, ten is a good number, and you can easily balance plot relevant questions and those that just delve deeper into how a character thinks.
When asking questions, go ahead and get creative! Odds are you already know what the character looks like along with basic likes and dislikes. This exercise is more in-depth, so the questions should require the character to give it some thought or elaborate in the answer. Below are some suggested questions that yield detailed answers.
 Do you participate in sports? What kind(s)?
When did you meet [a certain character]?
What is your take on Hollywood worship?
Have you ever tried sushi?
When did you first take up [a hobby/skill/trade]?
Do you have a Facebook account? What would I find there?
Have you visited [a setting] since [a particular time]?
What is your favorite comic strip?
Where do you work?
It's 11 PM, and you're awake. What are you doing?
You can use all of these questions or invent your own, whatever you think will get your character to talk to you. Once you come up with your questions, write them down and tuck them away for anywhere between a day and three weeks. If you wait longer, you might confused yourself with why you wrote these questions down. If you aren't patient, however, your character might not respond, meaning you would be answering your own questions. That would defeat the purpose of the exercise.  That said, keep in mind you'll do the actual writing. The questions are meant to transport you into your character's head.
When I did this, I added a couple extra steps. Before I asked my questions, I wrote a quick note to my character telling her why I was asking her this stuff. She gave me a little attitude but did answer my question. This step is also helpful if you wish to wait some time between writing the questions and answering them. Another thing you might want to do is write your questions in one color and your character's answers in another. If you have a limited selection of colors in your writing utensil collection, try alternating handwriting styles. You can write your questions in cursive, and the character can reply in regular print. Either of these techniques will help you keep the dialogue straight, especially if the character's voice is not fully developed.
Want an example? SUre thing! I recently carried this out with Camilla Archer, the main character from "Lover's Ball" (not linked due to high content rating). She balked at first. Once she got going, though, she just kept going! My questions will be in blue, and her responses will be in plum.
Hey, Camilla. We need to talk. People have been reading your story, and they've said some harsh things about you. I've heard everything from you're mysterious (at best) to cruel or superficial. What's up? While I know that you're headstrong and went through some trippy stuff, I need to know why. I'm going to leave you some questions, and when we go out to lunch together, you can answer them.
1) When did you first start start studying music?
2) Why did you attend FSU?
3) What made you notice Phil?
4) What do you think of people who cheat on their partners?
5) Are you right-handed or southpaw?
6) It's 11 PM, and you're awake. What are you doing?
7) How tall are you?
8) When and how did you meet Doctor Milano?
9) Between 1976 and 2001, did you ever visit Lake Wales?
10) Do you have a Facebook account? What would I find there?
Well, you took your time in answering my calls. Anyway, I started studying music when I was 10. I was a late starter compared to my older brother. He started when he was six (and I was three, respectively). Anyway, like him, I started out on piano. When it came time to join the band, I followed his lead again and took up percussion. Thing is, he only played percussion in marching band. I took it up for both disciplines. My mom wigged out and begged me to play the flute. I balked but took up the French Horn as a second instrument to keep the peace. Anyway (I like that word), it turns out I was good at both, but I was a little bit better at percussion. My percussion skills landed me an oppourtunity to attend the Tri-State band festival my freshman year. That trip made me realize that FSU was a perfect fit. I felt at home on the campus, and their music program has always been solid. On top of that, I learned how to truly conduct there, and I believe conducting is what I'm made for.
You ask me what I think of those who cheat on their partners. My mind has changed multiple times on the subject. When I was 17, I thought it was an act of evil, reprehensible and worthy of a public flogging. Why? TO be honest, I have no idea. I do know that I had only dated someone once before, and it wasn't serious by any means. In spite of that, I guess I saw cheating as a lazy way to achieve goals. Hence, I had it in for Cheryl and Doctor Milano. This also means I was pretty merciless to Gayle and Ryan. Cut me a break. I was young and impulsive. During college (when I wasn't with Phil, mind you), I lived through a more liberal period and dabbled in open relationships myself. I actually have a daughter from one of these encounters. Her name is Darlene, and she was adopted by a couple in Texas. Anyway, the way I see it, physical cheating is primarily problematic in the area of STDs and not being up front with your spouse about it. I've actually met couples who had more than one partner, and they're quite happily married. Emotional cheating, though? No dice there.
Your next few questions are trivial. However, I'll indulge you. I'm right handed but can write shorthand with my left. It's helpful for composing. Speaking of which, that's what I do when I'm up late. It's tough to do it without piano assistance, but I can get some work done that way. And since you asked, I'm 5' 7": tall enough to stand out but not so tall as to stick out.
I met Doctor Milano at a street festival in Tampa. I was there doing volunteer work in the music area, helping with setup and what not. He was there as part of a brass choir that was performing. I started chatting with him (a horn player) before their performance. He arranged to stop by my school for an informal audition. I played both instruments pretty well, and he was impressed. He extended an invitation to audition for the regional wind ensemble next spring (as it met during the spring season). Even though I was dog sick come audition time, I still made it on percussion. The rehearsals for our first gig (at the Mimosa) started in late December, and that's when I found out about him and Cheryl. No wonder I arrived at the Mimosa with a chip on my shoulder.
I was actually in Lake Wales in 1984 for a wedding. My brass quartet was hired to play at the ceremony, which was held at the Pinewood Mansion. This actually was what reunited Phil and me (and this time in a romantic relationship). He was brought in to replace our trombone player (who was being treated for cancer), and we attended the reception. I realized at that point that I missed him pretty badly, and the rest is history.
I do have a Facebook page. I collect band-related Flair, show off my collection of Apocalypse-centered books and swear like a [expletive]. Since I compose and teach private lessons full time, I don't have to worry about band students finding it. My pupils tend not to go on Facebook.
So the next time a character is stumping you, try talking to them. You never know. A conversation on paper just might make things clearer to you.
Until next time,
(sig by kelly1202) |
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One comment. I'll try not to cry. I'm hoping this issue brings more of you out of the woodwork. We'll see. In the meantime, I'll share the lone comment I received.
From fleckgirl: Stik, I just dont know how you find the time to research things like this so thoroughly to make your NL's not only interesting, but so very informative. Thanks for taking your job seriously! Another awesome Newsletter!
Fleck
Thanks for reading, Fleck! And yeah, I do take this seriously. It takes time to research (and sometimes test out the methods myself). I'm glad you find these issues informative. And rest assured that even though I'll be stepping down in due time I'm not going to slack off. The readers deserve my best effort every time.
November will bring some comic relief.  I'll be discussing the role of comic relief in drama pieces and how its absence can drastically alter the tone of a story. All thoughts, notable works and questions on the topic are much appreciated.
And if you happen to miss or misplace a newsletter, feel free to stop by "The Drama Box" [13+]. |
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Drama: October 29, 2008 Issue [#2682]
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