Pumping Up: Character II

Last week, we worked on developing the physical characteristics of our protagonist (see part one). This week, we’re going to dive deeper into our character by creating a character of the opposite sex, naming our protagonist and smashing stereotypes.

Character Exercise Two
Objective: To create another character of the opposite sex

Despite what some people say, men and women are very different in the way they view life, and as a novelist you will probably need to create realistic male and female characters of a variety of ages. Try to avoid writing stereotypical “men” or “women” or characters who are “all bad” or “all good.” Most people are a little of each.

The kind of visualizing exercise you’ve just gone through is very effective as a first step in imagining the potential in all kinds of main characters.

For this exercise, we want you to repeat the steps you took in Character Exercise One last week, this time creating a character of the opposite sex from the protagonist you envisioned in the previous exercise. You may wish to change the character’s race, ethnicity, religion or whatever pleases you.

Character Exercise Three
Objective: To brainstorm character names

This exercise is simple and fun. Get an old magazine. Cut out ten pictures of people. Do not select the picture of anyone you know, including historical figures, contemporary actors, singers or politicians. A writer creates characters; he doesn’t rehash them.

Once that is done, write one sentence describing the nature of the person and/or the job he holds. Now name each person:

Example:
The Picture: A thin, balding, middle-aged man clutching a briefcase.
The Description: The uptight CPA who just learned his wife has left him and drained their bank account.
Name: Matt Downer

Character Exercise Four
Objective: To smash stereotypes

Part 1
Write a short vignette on one or all of the following characters who are the opposite of what the clichéd characters usually represent. As you write, consider what events shaped the characters’ personalities and helped them reach their present situations. How do these contrasts offer possibilities of change? How do these characters demonstrate their personalities?

1. An old-west sheriff who is a serious academic.
2. A prostitute who is independently wealthy and does not especially enjoy sex.
3. An African American civil rights activist who, perhaps secretly, is fascinated with English history and civilization.
4. The rich snob whose closest friend is a homeless person.

Part 2
Now that you’ve smashed the above-mentioned stereotypes, create your own list of characters who go against type. Write a short vignette on any or all of the characters you create.

Example:
Here’s a character sketch of a general-issue character, the crusty old woodsman, with a twist.
Herman has lived alone in the Cascade Mountains for twenty years, ever since his wife’s death. He knows every kind of tree, flower, animal and mineral that’s to be found here. People aren’t to his liking, and although he often guides tourists and fishermen through the woods, he’s a curmudgeon and doesn’t do much socializing. When he does say something, he’s likely to be caustic, sarcastic or melancholy, although, when pressed by adversity, he has a heart of gold and will go through hell and back to help a friend. He loves the mountains, hates politicians, and is wary of environmentalists.
Herman spends his free time painting in oils. Since he is quiet and solitary, he expresses his feelings, hopes, dreams and fears through his art. He doesn’t paint for money, although his abstract paintings are beautiful. He has a degree in fine arts from a prestigious university, but he doesn’t flaunt it. Whenever he experiences difficulty in his life, instead of turning to the whisky bottle, he turns to his easel. His acquaintances wonder about the man: He’s a contradiction in terms, gruff on the exterior, but obviously a sensitive soul.

Part Three

For more helpful tips and exercises, visit www.sterlinghouse-bookstore.com and check out:
Writing Aerobics I by C. Sterling and M. Davidson

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