In the last several days, we’ve talked about two important aspects of your characters, “physiology” and “sociology.” I like to think of these as “nature” and “nurture” — the internal and external forces that make your characters who they are.
The final aspect to think about is “psychology” — the result of putting “physiology” and “sociology” together.
Neither “physiology” nor “sociology” is enough to explain why people are the way they are.
The fact is that identical twins can be radically different people. They have the same physiology, but may have different sociology. They’re going to meet different people, do different things, and react to them in different ways.
Likewise, two kids can grow up in the same house, but be vastly different because they inherited different genes. Every parent who ever had a genius child or a musical prodigy knows about this.
“Psychology” is the fusion of “physiology” and “sociology.” How does a given person choose to use their natural talents and compensate for their natural deficiencies? That’s part of their psychology. How does that same person react to their family, tribe, culture, nation, education? That’s part of their psychology too.
In the Harry Potter series, Harry and his cousin Duddley are raised in the same house, but they have different genes and they’re treated vastly different by Duddley’s parents (Harry’s aunt and uncle). Duddley grows up to be a selfish, arrogant, sadistic brat. Harry grows up to be a forgiving, courageous, resourceful boy.
When creating your characters, it’s not enough to know what color eyes your character has and where his moles are and what his IQ is. It’s not enough to know about his parents, brothers, sisters, teachers, religion, and all that.
You also need to know his responses to all those. Does he care what color his eyes are? Is he embarrassed about that mole the size of a rat on his chin? Is he obnoxious about being smart (or ashamed of being stupid?) Does he get along with his parents (or with one but not the other) and why? What about his siblings? Did he have a favorite teacher, and if so, which one and why? Does he follow in the religion he grew up with, or does he choose something radically different?
The answers to all those questions (and many more) are the basis of your character’s “psychology.” The better you understand your character, the more able you are to answer all such questions.
Please note that you don’t HAVE to figure all this out by writing it down, as if creating characters were some giant paint-by-numbers game. Creating characters is about getting to know these people who inhabit your skull. It’s about learning more about them than you know about yourself or anyone else in the “real world.” It’s about hearing their voices.
If you can do that by writing it down, then fine. If you prefer to take long walks on the beach with your imaginary friends, then that’s fine too. If you start talking to your characters in public, then you have gone around the bend and need to be institutionalized, but you can avoid that by holding a cell phone up to your ear so nobody will know you’re a perfect loon.
Do whatever it takes to learn your characters inside out. That’s what writers do.
Randy, how do YOU get to know your characters? My characters reveal themselves over the course of my writing. No long walks or conversations, they just pop up and tell me things whenever the mood strikes.
I usually model some of my characters after people I have known or have met. I love to watch people and when I see a certain face or person that is interesting I tell myself to remember them. If I have my hand-dandy notebook with me, I jot down some notes, or I call myself on my cell phone and leave myself a message. (Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that last part — Randy might have me put away!)
Randy is right about identical twins. I have a set in my house and they are world’s apart in temperament and personality. I am constantly amazed that there are billions and billions of people and not one of them is the same as another. Fascinating.
My childhood fantasy-pretend daydreaming has birthed many characters that later have demanded habitation in my stories.
I also ask the “what if” question both in character and in plot development. That’s led to a lot of interesting resolution in both areas. I dare to go down unexpected paths—mentally (okay, fantasy-pretend daydreaming), not in the writing process. My characters will tell me if that’s where they should go, then the writing can begin.
If I still like that path, but the characters don’t,
I save the pathmarker for another story whose characters appreciate it.
I used to struggle creating characters. Seems like so many of them turned out to be me. It felt so forced to randomly select characteristics for them–even more so to talk about their psychology.
Then I came up with a new idea that has worked extremely well for me. Once I’ve worked out the basic plot for my story, I write a personal letter from the main character to the reader. Of course, the reader will never see this, but I guess it works things out in my head. In the letter, the character begins by telling his past and why he is the way he is today. Then he tells the story from his/her point of view.
I can’t tell you the surprises my characters have come up with on their own. I used to laugh at people who said their characters talked to them, but I’m telling you, it’s true. Since I’m writing as a Christian, I like to think the Holy Spirit has a lot to do with this. So many times, I’m amazed at how plot and characters come together with an incredible story AND message of God’s work in a normal person’s life.
So . . . when the main character is finished, I have the antagonist write a letter in rebuttal. He, too, begins by telling his past and why he is the person he is, but then tells the entire story from his point of view-thoughts, feelings, actions included.
After that, I usually do one more letter by the protagonist’s romantic partner or confidant.
This is way too fun, and I promise, the conflict practically writes itself.
Hope this helps someone.
Barb Haley
PS If anyone wants to see an example, email me separately and I’ll send you one.
Woohoo, another use for a cellphone!
I echo Gina’s question about your process, Randy.
Barb: I like the idea of characters writing letters. I imagine you not only learn about your characters more, but could spur other story ideas as well.
I just write what I know, using people I know. (Good thing I don’t do contemporary fiction, I’d get in trouble!) It helps that I have lived and worked with a lot of people over the years.
Barb,
I would love to email you for a copy of your letters, but don’t have your email address. Did I miss something? Is it posted somewhere?
My address is tameyers at frontiernet.net
Please include both protag and antag rebuttal.
Thanks so much.
Barb, I wouldn’t mind a copy of the protag and antag as well. If you’ll send me one, my email is becca_400 at yahoo.com. I think that’s a cool idea. I can always get some of my character down on paper but a lot of it doesn’t really come til I write. I think this might be a cool way to get the rest of it to come out before I’m too far into the story.
This is a great discussion to really make us think out all aspects of our characters. It’s definitely helping me! Thanks Randy!
Barb, that’s a GREAT idea. I’m going to try it. Hmmm…I wonder what they’ll tell me?
Barb, that’s a GREAT idea. I’m going to try it. Hmmm…I wonder what they’ll tell me?
Have any of you ever seen one of your characters walking around in real life? I don’t base mine on real people, except as combinations of people I’ve met. But, once, this repairman came to fix something at my day job- and I was sneaking around corners for a better look at him. I think he was Craig from my WIP Crossroads. Okay, Randy, call the white paddy wagon. Just don’t fasten the straps on the strait jacket too tightly.
Jenny