The Saturday Character Clinic - What is your character’s most unusual habit or trait?
Exploring the Questions that Bring Characters to Life
Characters are memorable only when the author has taken time to consider the whole person. Emotions, flaws, past experiences are important - details matter. While you can’t examine every aspect of a character’s life, each character must be considered carefully before writing your story.
THE SATURDAY CHARACTER CLINIC is dedicated to discovering how thoughtful questions help writers to better understand their character.
Your habits will determine your future. - Jack Canfield
THE QUESTION CORNER
Today’s Question - What is your character’s most unusual habit or trait?
WHY THIS QUESTION MATTERS?
An author needs to know what habits or traits her character has. Unusual traits deepen the complexity and the reader’s belief in the story. Beliefs also create familiarity with a character, and can be used as signs of the character’s emotional mindset.
Habits can also be used for drama. For example, if a criminal knows that the protagonist takes a certain walk regularly, than the criminal can follow her and attempt to kill her.
UNLOCKING THE CHARACTER - QUESTIONS BENEATH THE SURFACE.
Below are some of the basic questions when starting to plot a character. This is not a complete list, but it will start the conversation.
What is the character’s unusual habit? Why is this habit unusual? Is it unusual for this culture or for most cultures?
What would it take for the character to get rid of the habit? Would it cost them mentally, physically or emotionally?
Does the character want to get rid of the habit? Why?
How did the habit evolve” Was it gradual or was it sudden? Was the habit a result of trauma?
How has this habit affected the character’s life? Has it been beneficial?
Is there a chance that the habit could negatively affect the character’s future?
Can the habit lead to the character escalating into stronger actions like crime?
POCKET-SIZED WORKOUT- TRY IT YOURSELF
What is your current protagonist’s habit. Why did you assign it? Do you have this habit?
Post your paragraph in the comments if you’d like.
CHECK IN
As an author, is there a strange habit that has affected your writing?
NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION
What is your character’s favorite season?
Subscribe to the Saturday Character Clinic.
Bye for now. Have a great Saturday!
