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AMATEUR TIP: My Process for Discovering Interesting and Compelling Characters
Thread.
I've been pretty open about my disdain for the "give your character a flaw and attack it" method of character development. It works, but it has an artificial quality I find abrasive.
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Thread.
I've been pretty open about my disdain for the "give your character a flaw and attack it" method of character development. It works, but it has an artificial quality I find abrasive.
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Plus, it's not cinematically grounded. It's internal.
I look for interesting outward character traits first. Something the audience can immediately recognize.
What's their speech pattern? How do they dress? What do they find funny? Are they obnoxious? Low key? Hair? Voice?
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I look for interesting outward character traits first. Something the audience can immediately recognize.
What's their speech pattern? How do they dress? What do they find funny? Are they obnoxious? Low key? Hair? Voice?
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Take Stella from Godlike.
I needed a smart mouthed, shit talking badass as the antagonist to a literal god. Had to be human.
What kind of person would have the balls and complete lack of sense to go against a god? Had to be obnoxious, funny, and most importantly, right.
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I needed a smart mouthed, shit talking badass as the antagonist to a literal god. Had to be human.
What kind of person would have the balls and complete lack of sense to go against a god? Had to be obnoxious, funny, and most importantly, right.
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I can *see* that character immediately and know.
The "fatal flaw" method would have me focus on the temerity and/or hubris. "Arrogance breeds hubris thus overreach."
A perfectly fine character arc.
Here's where I diverge.
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The "fatal flaw" method would have me focus on the temerity and/or hubris. "Arrogance breeds hubris thus overreach."
A perfectly fine character arc.
Here's where I diverge.
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All these superficial traits. The outward expressions of character. It's a mask.
What is Stella hiding? What is her trauma?
Especially when paired with the superficial aspects, I feel that this makes for so much more depth than a fatal flaw.
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What is Stella hiding? What is her trauma?
Especially when paired with the superficial aspects, I feel that this makes for so much more depth than a fatal flaw.
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And since character is plot is story...
As a consequence, my stories are about breaking through these masks my characters wear. By asking what trauma they're hiding, I create much more compelling and complex characters.
And they all have minds of their own.
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As a consequence, my stories are about breaking through these masks my characters wear. By asking what trauma they're hiding, I create much more compelling and complex characters.
And they all have minds of their own.
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I hope someone finds this helpful. Just wanted to share another method, another tool for the writer box.
As usual, my opinion YMMV, etc.
Thanks for coming to my Fred talk.
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As usual, my opinion YMMV, etc.
Thanks for coming to my Fred talk.
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