Writing Your Characters Before Writing Your Story

Do you ever find yourself unpleasantly stumped on character actions while writing your novel? How about dialogue? And when it comes time for them to respond a certain way to a pivotal point in the story, do you ever worry if their responding actions remain consistent with their core values?

If not, then congratulations, you are doing absolutely amazing! And if you answered yes to the questions above, don’t you dare fret! Guess what? Being unsure of your character doesn’t make you any less of an amazing writer.

One thing I’ve learned while trying to write wonderful, likable, and consistent characters is that you need to know them to their very core. You need to know all the small things (favorite foods, colors, seasons, their daydreams, etc.) along with all the major things (what they want in life, what really makes them tick in both good and bad ways) and all the little details in between. The goal is to just know your main character like you’ve known them your whole life, completely through and through. While they may be people that you’ve made up, they are still people! (Or cyborgs or aliens or robots, but you get the picture!) They have hopes and dreams and favorites and fears. If you look at your characters and you can’t answer the previous sentence for them, definitely start there.

There is an absolute ton of character worksheets to help with characterization out there on the internet that you can choose from that help to outline all the little details. This is great for character development and can really help writers fine tune the little things they may not have thought to include for their character before.

Some of the basics you would need to map out for your character would be the obvious name, age, and talents. Where are they from and where do they currently reside? How many family members does the character have and what are their names? Then you could list the physical characteristics, such as what they look like and what physical features make them unique. What is the character’s eye color and hair color? Do they wear makeup? How do they dress? Make your own questions and answer accordingly. You wouldn’t want to overlook listing personality traits, any possible mental illnesses, and any unique emotional characteristics either. And don’t forget their backstory either! Any previous huge life mistakes or even how they were raised can help explain why your character acts in a certain way or has certain fears, and will most likely shed some light on why their goals are their goals. Ultimately, these details will help define who your character really is and will help drive your story more consistently.

My best advice once you think you’re finished with your characterization process (let’s be real, you’re probably not. Your own characterization list could never quite possibly be completed, could it?) absolutely, positively, do not stop exercising your character there. Put them in situations outside of the novel or story and see where they take you. Take them on adventures that have nothing to do with the main story. Keep in mind, not a single soul besides yourself will ever see these little stories besides yourself, so feel free to be as chaotic and crazy and non-canon as possible so long as you stay true to character. You might even learn something new about them you hadn’t thought of before! One way I do this is by taking journal prompts meant for me  to answer, and I answer them either through or with my character.

For example, a prompt I’ve answered for my character in the past was to make a bucket list. Now, in this particular character’s story, she goes through a huge world-shattering event and realizes that, pretty much, her whole life has been one huge lie. So I made two different bucket lists for her: one for before the life-changing event, and then one for after, as this event truly changed her views and goals.

I have used the '500 Writing Prompts' workbook in the past, both for personal use and character development. I highly recommend this prompt book as it has a variety of topics and entertaining questions. If you don’t want to wait for it to be shipped, it could also possibly be found at your local Barnes & Noble or other bookstore. In the past, I’ve seen it for only around $10. Of course, you can also find tons of unique journal prompts in other books, and all over the web if you don’t want to drop any cash. But remember, investment in your passion never hurts. Except sometimes your bank account, I know, but just imagine the payoff!

I kind of imagine this whole process to be like studying. You’re studying your character and every little thing they may be thinking about and desiring. You’re studying their backstory and you know how it’s led them to this very moment. You’re studying their entire being, in and out. Soul and body. And the novel, the big story, the grand finale, is the test. Sure, there isn’t a wrong way to do it, it’s your story after all! Nobody will actually be out there grading on whether or not your character did the right thing. (Some might, but at least it won’t be shown to your parents this time.) But you need to remember most that the character always turns out to be the biggest piece of the puzzle. The character is why the audience stays until the end of their journey, usually teary eyed and sobbing into their glass of red wine until flipping to the very last blank page, demanding “Why?! Why did it have to end?!”

Oh, sorry, is that just me? Awkward…

Don’t forget that you can tweak the prompts and any characterization lists however you want. In the end, it’s your character and there are no actual guidelines holding you back!