Comments on: Inspiring characters into being

By: Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh — Thu, 07 May 2009 23:14:04 +0000

Katrina, I love your inspirations! I’ve never really considered linking touch to character before, but I like it. I’m glad the questions were helpful to you, too. Good luck.

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By: Katrina

Katrina — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:16:41 +0000

Thank you for this post – those list of questions sent sparks running through my head, and now I’m off exploring new pathways for my characters!

As for inspiration, I’d say a lot of various things inspire me. I’m a closet knitter, and dabble in a bunch of different crafts, and I often find myself inspired by textiles. I like running my hand across a fiber and picturing the kind of person who would also treasure that sensation, or imagining the kind of world I could build around a brightly colored tapestry – who’s room would that hang in? (In case you can’t tell, I tend more toward the fantasy end of the writing spectrum)

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By: Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:37:58 +0000

I should clarify that in my example, the character existed before I saw the photo, but when I saw the photo I realized it was that character. The image helped to “round out” her character, too. I hope that made sense.

Thanks for comments, everyone!

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By: Dennis

Dennis — Wed, 06 May 2009 04:23:52 +0000

As a visual writer I have all sorts of images around me. But I find that as the story develops the characters take over and they introduce their own personalities, and as such, their own image to be projected. I feel it is still up to the reader to form their own image of the characters unlike watching a film where the character has been decided (cast) for you.

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By: Edie

Edie — Tue, 05 May 2009 21:10:37 +0000

I don’t need to know what they look like when I start, though sometimes I do. I need to know their essence and then their looks come to me. That’s what happened with my wip. I don’t need pictures. I have a mental picture in my mind.

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By: Kristan

Kristan — Tue, 05 May 2009 18:40:26 +0000

Thanks for this – your question “No, no, really–what do they want more than anything, down deep in their guts?” instantly sparked the answer I had been searching for in one of my characters. (I knew what she wanted on the surface, but it didn’t feel right because the truth is that she wants something else, something impossible, deep down.)

Also, your picture on the lake is lovely!!

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By: Melanie

Melanie — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:43:44 +0000

Wow, I needed this today. As soon as I finish reading blogs I’m tackling my edits and on deck for today is to make my MC “less wimpy.” I’m not going to bleach his hair, but this gave me the spark I needed – thanks!

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By: Lorna Suzuki

Lorna Suzuki — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:56:19 +0000

Excellent advice, Therese! I especially agree that a writer must look beyond a character’s physical appearance. Just as people in the real world are defined by events in their lives, characters too are shaped by things like a stable, happy upbringing or traumatic events that can leave them feeling victimized.

It gives them more depth and a sense of realism when their mood and actions are grounded by events and situations that drive and motivate them to do what they do through the story line.

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By: Cindy Wilson

Cindy Wilson — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:53:43 +0000

That’s a kind of haunting picture. I can definitely see how it would inspire bits and pieces of a character. I don’t use pictures as I write, though now that I am getting more and comfortable with developing a story and finding my groove, I am branching out to new ways to find inspiration.

Sometimes I start off a story not knowing exactly what a character looks like or what he/she enjoys doing, but I always know their purpose in the story. I know what kind of transformation I want them to go through and I know what I want the outcome to be after that growth.

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