Character Development... or Storytelling Pajamas!

Do you cast your characters?  

Some picture a specific actor, relating their personality traits to a person in their novel.  I only do this to a limited extent.  I couldn't tell you who "plays" in my book, but a few people have a look and voice inspired by Hollywood.  My best example is a background character, a coworker, who is a direct riff off of Clairee (Olympia Dukakis) in Steel Magnolias.  That's the voice I hear anytime she walks into the scene.

Or, do you go for character traits?  Like a sort of mix-and-match to find Mr. Right Character?  "He's shy, but formidable, and won't touch a drink because his father was a violent alcoholic."  No, no, no...  "He's Hispanic and the loudest laugh in the family..."  

My favorite method is to examine a picture and create a life for that person.  That's exactly what Tracy Chevalier did in "Girl with a Pearl Earring," bringing Vermeer's famous painting to life.

Alas, I'm not that lofty.  But I did find myself wondering about a set of girls... Cowgirls on my new flannel pajamas.  (see, not so lofty)  But each girl has obvious personality!  See if you don't agree...

She's the performer, but not too flashy.  She practices for hours each day.  She's a perfectionist, but is only hard on herself.  What happens when her rodeo is cancelled?

She's the keeper of the fire, the one who feels great when caring for others.  What happens when a loved one runs away and steals her only prized locket for money?

She's not a tomboy.  She's a worker, but is always aware of the affect she has on men.  She is less sure how to use this attraction.  What happens when her Cowboy Right is misled over to Daisy Duke's territory?

Hello, Daisy Duke.  She makes sure to be seen, and she knows her stuff both on the range and at the honky tonk on Friday night.  What happens when her daddy dies and the ranch is bank owned?

She's not afraid of anyone and sees no point is dolling up for a hard, busy day.  So what happens when she's asked to substitute at the local school?  And why is Cowboy Wrong trying to steal her cattle?

 

 

Everytime I wear these pajamas, I find myself wondering which cowgirl I want to be and why.  Where do you get your inspiration??

Comments

[Kelly Hashway]

I have never been able to cast my characters as actors. My characters become real to me the second I meet them and they are in my head as their own images. No Hollywood actor would seem right in their place.

I love that your pjs inspired you. I need to get more interesting pjs apparently. :)

[Shary]

I love your jammies! I've tried lots of methods to flesh out characters. My favorite is probably filling out a questionnaire with the basics(so I don't forget the details) and then doing freewrites about each one's backstory.

[Jean Henry Mead]

I like your p.j. analogy, GP. Characters are the most important feature of any novel. I've been writing about different aspects of characterization for the past week, currently the dangers of describing someone too closely and using the wrong names: http://theviewfrommymountaintop.blogspot.com/

[Angi Hansen]

Not from my pajamas!!!Too funny. . .

[Julia Munroe Martin]

Clearly and firstly, I am incredibly envious of those PJs. Wow! As for me, I almost always start with a hazy vision in my mind (not sure where that comes from!) & then I'll be somewhere, see a random face or personality trait and something clicks....then that person or pieces of that person get added to the mosaic of the character. But sadly, never from my PJs :(

[Girl Parker]

KELLY -- That's exactly how I am with character names. If someone tries to suggest a name, it never fits. It has to come from me. Aren't those PJ's hilarious? Definitely my only interesting ones.

SHARY -- I think your method is, hands down, the most tried and true. One of my side characters just become so interesting, he's taking over!

JEAN -- Wow! We're on the same wavelength. I can't wait to check out your series. Thanks for stopping by!

ANGI -- Hey, you have actual Feetsie PJs. You know how badly I want a pair like that?

JULIE -- Aren't they hilarious? By BFF and I used to make baby blankets and sell them at a farmer's market. She made these from some of the leftover flannel. I love picking up traits from others. It's a time-honored theft for writers.

[Claudine Gueh]

I wish my PJs inspire me as much as yours do! My characters come to me slooowly. Shy like me. =)

[Girl Parker]

CLAUDINE -- Awww... that's a really sweet way to describe it. My hubs is super shy and the best person in the world, so I'm partial. =)

[amber]

I need some character driving PJs! :)

[Nancy McPherson]

I know that flannel! How sweet that there was enough for you to be cuddly in. Even daydream in...

[Lora Rivera (@lroseriver)]

Hilarious jammies! I can't believe you're able to come up with all those stories for each one. Love the fire girl.

I'm so boring. I can't look at something external an come up with a story. Stories tend to crop up after a series of Random Unlinked Occurrences.

[Girl Parker]

AMBER -- You are blessed. Find the fabric and Miss Eden can make you a pair. I'll be needing a backup pair, cuz I plan to wear these out!

NANCY -- This was my favorite print left over from the blanket project, so I'm loving them. =)

LORA -- There's nothing wrong with Random Unlinked Occurrences. Those things tend to my imagination run pell-mell down the slippery slope of preoccupied storytellers. But thanks for loving my jammies. They make me laugh!