Thursday, August 15, 2013

How can you make a character in a modern story more creative?

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What I mean by 'modern' is just a normal setting... no fantasy, or anything like that, present-time.

Any ideas?



Answer
I think you're asking the wrong question. Don't worry about making your character 'more creative.' Somewhere, if your character is at all realistic, there will be a character like yours, so don't go and try and load your poor protaganist up with arcane hobbies, unlikely histories, absurd talents and bizarre passions. What you want to do is to make your character real. He or she should live and breath for your reader. No character is unoriginal, because it's impossible for two people, even if they're trying, to write the same character. The tiniest differences make all the difference. And there is no such thing as a boring person. Everyone has something that makes them tick. It may not be visible to the outside world, but the great thing about fiction is that you can get inside of people's heads. Just make sure you KNOW your character intimately, and just your knowledge, even if you don't (and you shouldn't) put it all down on paper will make him or her more real. Start with a history, however mundane. A brief outline of what his past life was like, simple, and general. Then fill in the details. Who were his best friends? What was the name of his third grade teacher? Did he have any pets? Of course, you don't have to sit down and think it all out, but the goal is, if someone asks you, "What was the best gift your character received on his eighth birthday?" you should know immediatly that it was a Thundercats action figure with posable limbs. That's how well you need to know your character. Just knowing his past gives a surprising amount of insight into your character's personality. The rest you get with situations. Don't say to yourself, "Bobby is brave," or "Susie's optimistic," because all those terms are subjective. How brave is Bobby? Under what situations would he stand and when would he fall? If Susie was beaten, raped, then left for dead floating naked on an ice floe in the Arctic ocean, would she still be optimistic? Propose possible situations for your characters. What would Bobby do if a homeless man on the street asked for money? What if the homeless man grabbed him, and started insisting that he knew him? That will help you know his personality. You should also know his likes and dislikes. If he hates bananas, you should know that. If 2 out of 3 of all the items in her wardrobe are magenta, you should know that. Again, you don't have to know every single detail, but know enough so that you have a pretty solid idea who your character is.

What should i get my girlfriend for chistmas?







im 16 and shes 15, i already know im getting roses for her but i want to get her a real present. dont say a teddy bear or earrings ive already got them for her a couple months ago. maybe a necklace could work but i want to hear your ideas. thanks =)


Answer
Check out a website called "Changing the Present".

They're a group who question all the "stuff" people give each other. Instead, they provide a way for people to help support charitable causes.

(For her last birthday, on behalf of my daughter, I arranged basic medical kits for 10 Kenyan midwives, who before had no medical equipment or materials, at all.)

(When a cousin of mine died after a long illness, instead of sending flowers, I arranged for 6 people to have cataract operations. It's a simple operation, but one that makes the difference between a person being blind and needing assistance, and being able to see and be able to use their skills for others. She may be gone, but she's given a new life to others.)

The range of charities is amazing. (One option is to build a cement latrine to service an entire small town. There is a person who may find her name on one of these!)

Check out the site. The range of options is amazing, and their "Ugly Gift" section gives chuckles and a new perspective on the whole thing.

(I think it's a good thing, every so often, for younger peope to remind the older ones about being responsible passengers on Spaceship Earth.)




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