Getting To Know Your Characters

One of the best things about writing is discovering your characters. Like most writers, I spend time working on character worksheets for the main characters before I delve into the actual story. But I don't care what anyone says, it doesn't matter how much time you spend on character worksheets or character interviews, you'll always discover new things about your characters as you write your story. That happened to me last night, and it is such an amazing feeling. It's truly like these characters are real people, letting you into their innermost thoughts and feelings; there's no other way to describe it.

Now, don't get me wrong. Character worksheets, interviews, and any other method to get to know your character before writing the story is VERY important. But also don't stress yourself out about knowing every little detail of your character's life before you start writing because there are some things that just will not come out until you start the story.

I know there are a lot of writers out there who say they know everything about their characters before they start writing, and that their characters don't do anything they don't want them to do, but to me that's half the fun of writing. When I plot, I give myself a beginning, middle, and end, with very important scenes I know I have to have, but how I get to and from those pivotal scenes is an adventure. My current WIP (work in progress) has a major fight scene on a train that I never intended to write. It just sort of happened (again, this ties back into letting loose on first drafts. Let whatever you want to happen happen. If I decide later this train fight scene isn't needed, I can always get rid of it. But, the point is, I would never have had this scene if I didn't let myself explore). By all means, it's important to have a road map, but don't limit yourself either. When you let your creativity roam free, you'll be surprised by what can happen.

If you're looking for good character worksheets/interviews, this is a great site: http://www.booklaurie.com/tips_interview.php

Also, just a great writing site in general: http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/index.php

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