One of my favorite techniques for getting intohead of my characters is, interviewing them. This relies heavily on rapid writing, so be sure you fully understand that concept first. If you do not, you can read my article "Rapid Writing" on my den. Interviewing characters is exactly how it sounds. You sit down with your characters and interview them, just like you would if you werereporter.
To start, take outblank piece of paper or start and new word file. Decide where you are going to meet them; in their house, coffee shop, or somewhere else. Now rapid write about it. Go in and meet them. Say hi. Record what he looks like, how he acts etc. Nowfun part. Ask questions. Ask your characters about themselves, and aboutstory you're trying to tell. Get them to tell you their story, in their own words. Let them tell you what happened and how it affected them. You may gain new insights into your story. The important part is to not think or judge what you're writing - just rapid write. Don't worry, you're mind will fill inblanks. Write until you think you know enough about your characters or stories. If you run out of questions, write about there beinglull of silence ininterview. If you get past'wall' something else will come. Just do not stop writing until you feel you have enough new insights to go back to writing.
This technique also works If you get stuck inmiddle of writing or plotting your story. You can go back and talk to your character aboutsection you're stuck on. Let him/her tell you what happened.
To help with this exercise, I have included some sample question that you can ask. You can use these, but also allow space for your mind to come up with questions on it's own.
one. Tell me aboutstory I am writing. In your words, what happened?
two. How didevents affect you?
three. Are there any details or events instory that I've forgotten?
four. Describe yourself. What are your hobbies, dreams, hopes etc?
five. What wasmost important thing that happened to you duringevents I am writing about? How did that change you?
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About The Author
Sarah Playle isauthor of "The Distance Between Us,"gripping, emotional tale of family, friendship, andcoming of age indangerous world. To order, or to view more of her work visit www.authorsden.com/sarahaplayle.
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This article was posted on December onefive, twozerozerofive
