Becoming The Character
July 1st 2008 05:44
Some actors become their roles; when in role, they think and feel as if they were the character in reality. Often with a very loose grip of the truth, and sometimes without a grip of it at all.
Some writers become their characters. It is an art form and it is the purest, in my mind, form of characterization. To really become your character, not just control them and tell them what to do; but to feel as though you and that character are one. For writers who plan this may not be so great. Personally I get so into it that I don't know what comes next, I may know some future event but nothing in the 'now' of the story.
Because in reality you DON'T know. It's one of the most organic ways of writing. I love it; it feels almost like a trance. You just... become one with the character. And when you are your character, nothing is certain. It all relies on other characters, does it not?
Writing is at once like real life and not like real life. There are so many metaphors, and character interactions, and many things that on a deep level relate. Those interactions and metaphors make it easier to fall into the story as a reader.
Often as a reader you identify with the main character. Become the main character in your mind; have the same wishes to do with the story as the character. And sometimes, like the character, you cannot turn away from the events. The best writers, I believe, do that same thing while they write.
Many times I have been unable to stop writing, in a trance. I roleplay on forums; on numerous occasions I have said to myself 'One more post and then bed'. Most of the time when I say that I go to bed thirteen posts later. I get so into the story I cannot leave it.
I do that when reading too. One of the worst things for my sleep is if I start reading a book at midnight or even nine o'clock, depending on the book's size. I think maybe it's that addiction to reading, and that ability to become one with the character, that marks a good writer.
Then again, I don't know. Who am I to judge my own writing, anyway?
I have an exercise for you. Write 200 words of any situation with the main character of either one of your own stories or novels, or of a book you really like. Post it here or on your blog and link to it in a comment.
Some writers become their characters. It is an art form and it is the purest, in my mind, form of characterization. To really become your character, not just control them and tell them what to do; but to feel as though you and that character are one. For writers who plan this may not be so great. Personally I get so into it that I don't know what comes next, I may know some future event but nothing in the 'now' of the story.
Because in reality you DON'T know. It's one of the most organic ways of writing. I love it; it feels almost like a trance. You just... become one with the character. And when you are your character, nothing is certain. It all relies on other characters, does it not?
Writing is at once like real life and not like real life. There are so many metaphors, and character interactions, and many things that on a deep level relate. Those interactions and metaphors make it easier to fall into the story as a reader.
Often as a reader you identify with the main character. Become the main character in your mind; have the same wishes to do with the story as the character. And sometimes, like the character, you cannot turn away from the events. The best writers, I believe, do that same thing while they write.
Many times I have been unable to stop writing, in a trance. I roleplay on forums; on numerous occasions I have said to myself 'One more post and then bed'. Most of the time when I say that I go to bed thirteen posts later. I get so into the story I cannot leave it.
I do that when reading too. One of the worst things for my sleep is if I start reading a book at midnight or even nine o'clock, depending on the book's size. I think maybe it's that addiction to reading, and that ability to become one with the character, that marks a good writer.
Then again, I don't know. Who am I to judge my own writing, anyway?
I have an exercise for you. Write 200 words of any situation with the main character of either one of your own stories or novels, or of a book you really like. Post it here or on your blog and link to it in a comment.
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