Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults
Character Development
Here’s an exercise I’ve often used in workshops. It’s always
interesting to see what a variety of perspectives this simple prompt generates.
It’s as if everyone takes a verbal snapshot but their lens’ captures different
aspects.
1. Make
a simple quick list writing down a character’s gender—age—build—hair (type
& color) and core quality, such as honesty, hot temper, shyness, curious
etc.
2. Take a
separate sheet and across the top write: Name (leave blank)….. is waiting. In a
few sentences describe where, attitude, how character is dressed, why or for
what character is waiting.
3. Then go a
few lines down and write: if you changed this character into an animal what
would you choose?
4. Now take
the first sheet and pass it to the person on your right. Using the sheet you
just received write the paragraph exercise according to the list you’ve now
been given. Hand the sheet back.
5. Compare
your first interpretation with the other version. Are they similar? Different?
This is just
a beginning idea for a character.
Notice that each person can have a different ‘take’ on a character. And
that's fine. The reader needs to bring his/her own connections to the story.
However if a
particular characteristic is vitally important then remember that one feature must be
clearly established. Oscar on Sesame
Street is a grouch. If he doesn’t act grouchy then we know something is wrong.
We need to
build characters two ways: externally (next blog) and internally (the week
after). The most important thing is to get to know your characters inside and
out. They are to be characters and not caricatures.
Real
characters have good and bad qualities. Pippi is not a ‘real’ child because she
never changes. We’ll also look at some classics in a few weeks. It’s important
to identify the emotional core in your character. Start by choosing a single
core quality to focus on. This is the key point at which the character will change
and it comes about as a result of what happens in the story. For ex, a clumsy
dog who overcomes his weakness and saves the day.
The key is
to provide convincing motivation for any character’s behavior, whether helpful
or destructive or contradictory. The protagonist doesn’t always need to be
likeable, but must be someone the reader can identify with or at least be
sympathetic to. In Where the Wild Things
Are by Maurice Sendak, Max begins in a temper tantrum and creates “havoc”.
Remember
even the ‘bad’ characters believe they’re right. So as you develop your main
characters look at them from all camera angles behavior wise.
Action Steps:
Return to the journal sheet and do this prompt from your
character’s perspective. Keep in mind
that every thing you can write for a journal entry for yourself can also be
written as a journal entry for your character.
- If you had to choose a color to describe you today what would it be?
- Then write a brief description of why?
- Now write a few lines about whether this is a color you like or don’t or etc. i.e. how do you feel about feeling this way today?
- If you had to share this ‘color’ on your first day of school would you feel good or nervous?
- Set
up a journal for your main character and whenever you have a few minutes
to brainstorm—write up a memory or question from their perspective.
Share: How would you personally feel if
you were your character sharing on the first day of school?
Read deep, marcy
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