Story Tips and Notes
- Possibly the most important function of the character building tools
is the act of filling out the forms. The questions help the author probe
into the characters they are working with. This not only inspires
situations, but gives a detailed personality history to call on,
consciously or subconsciously. It also helps define the differences
between characters, helping to emphasize their individual qualities and
conflict points.
- The profiles mention occupations the character is best suited for.
You can make your story more interesting by placing your characters in
jobs they are not suited for.
- Your character could be one type on the outside and another on the
inside, like a Teacher in a
Wizard's clothing (differences in
thinking/feeling
and extroversion/introversion
tendencies). Let your character discover who he or she really is to
find harmony. He or she can also be dissatisfied with what he or she is, for
example, a Composer longing to be an
Entertainer, but is held back by his or
her introversion.
- Characters can do things against their nature out of love, to
accomplish a goal, or when in danger. An introvert can show
characteristics of an extrovert if it is needed. Many entertainers are
introverted off stage, but seem to have little problem playing
extroverted characters.
Do you have ideas and suggestions of how others can get the most out of
the Character Building Tools? Send them to
storytips@wvu.org . We'll make sure
you get credit for the idea.
Writers Village University Character
Building Workshop
Character Test 1 Character
Test 2 Character
Test 3 |