Writing Exercise: Creating A Character
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- 12/1/2009 |
- 10:00 am
When creating a character, we're often putting them into fictional settings, too. This month, what would happen if you created a fictional character and placed them into YOUR world? Let's find out...
Rather than dream up some fantastic new world, and then populating it with characters, your assignment is to write a two or three-page story that involves you, your friends, or your family...but with a completely new character.
Take some time to figure out what this character means to your life. Are they related to you somehow? Are they a new student in your class? Are they a new neighbor? Your imagination can go in several different directions.
Have this new character become involved in a dramatic way. And, while you're at it, be sure to show us a little depth to this character. What are they like on the inside? How do they react to the things in your world? What makes them happy? What makes them angry? How will they change from the beginning of the story to the end?
If you really want to get creative, try telling the story from this new character's point of view, where they only see you and your actions, but aren't able to access your thoughts. What would this new character think of you? Would those thoughts be accurate?
This is a great lesson in building a character, because you only need to focus on them, and not on creating a new setting. Your locations should already be familiar to you; only the character needs to be filled out.
Have fun with this, and be sure to sound off with your feedback and ideas!
