Writers creating main characters will use various methods but they will always draw on three sources of inspiration. They are:
Autobiographical method
While you are always likely to put something of yourself into your characters without trying, many of the most convincing characters are created deliberately by basing them on yourself or particular aspects of your personality.
It was Mel Brooks who said: “Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities, and have them relate to other characters living with him.”
Biographical method
Writers often base characters on people they know, maybe not well but whose characteristics create the starting point for a character.
Perhaps a snippet of overheard conversation or the way someone wears a coat can be enough. By mixing these characteristics together the inspiration will never recognise themselves.
Oh, and sounds obvious but don’t forget to change the name - you would be surprised how many writers don’t!
Inventing characters from scratch
Some writers dream up whole new characters created from nothing. Best way? Decide on the job your character needs to do and let your imagination do the rest.
So how do you create your characters?
It’s just one of the subjects we are debating at our Facebook page -http://www.facebook.com/pages/Inscribemedia/183385438479538
John Dean
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