The Saturday Character Clinic: What is your character most afraid of and why?
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.
THE QUESTION CORNER
What is your character most afraid of and why?
WHY THIS QUESTION MATTERS?
When a character is afraid, this fear is usually caused by a traumatic event in their past. The quest to understand what caused the fear, how it has affected the character’s journey, and what it means for their current situation, can add tension, and interest to a plot. Understanding what will happen to the character, if their fear is not eliminated, helps the writer determine what actions the character must use to create a satisfactory ending.
Fear often causes character’s to act in predictable ways, and prevents them from standing up and facing issues. When a character understands what her fear is costing her, she undergoes personal growth and a shift in values. This adds complexity and interest to the story.
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 type of fear does a character experience? Is it something people are usually afraid of?
Does she experience this fear often? Is it predictable or can it come on suddenly? Is there certain people or places that trigger this fear?
How does the character act when she experiences this fear? Does she act differently with certain people? Is she fair to others when she experiences this?
How rational/unrational does the character act when she is afraid? Does she put herself or others in danger?
How has this fear affected the character’s past? Has it shaped the way she has acted? Did it cause her personality to change?
Does he/she know what the caused this fear? If so, how traumatic was it? Is it something she can overcome? Will it happen again?
Is the character aware she is acting out of fear? Does she understand the truth behind her fear, or has she skewed past events?
Is the character willing to face her fears? Will she try to change? If she tries, how will this affect her actions? How will it affect her personality? How will her future change?
What are the implications for her future if she does not change? Will it affect her relationships with others, or will it hurt others?
POCKET-SIZED WORKOUT- TRY IT YOURSELF
Write a short paragraph describing a character’s fear. If she faces her fear, what will she gain? Post your paragraph in the comments if you’d like.
CHECK IN
Is there a fear you have as an author? Have you ever given up on a piece because of your fear?
NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION
Everyone has unusual habits. What is your character’s most unusual habit or trait?
At the end of this post, I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes about fear.
"Do the thing you fear most and the death of fear is certain." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Bye for now. Have a great Saturday!
