Since I began writing novels, I’ve come across the odd question and interest of some about the use of characters in a story. And more specifically they were interested to know about the way of thinking, or personality, of written characters.
I’m not a psychologist I quickly explain, before I point out that I prefer not to talk too much about the topic. An explanation which draws the immediate response, why not? After about 7 years of working in foreign countries, I found the topic to be quite controversial, I say. Too many misunderstandings have been created because the discussion at-hand doesn’t go into the necessary detail needed, and oftentimes the background required to adequately understand the discussion isn’t there. It’s all too sensitive in those circumstances, outside of basic examples, I continue to explain.
I tell these curious enthusiasts of writing that I have studied some psychology, and that I have also done a lot of work which required dealing with people, which includes listening for understanding. And it all requires interacting with many different personalities. It is when an author refers to their life experiences that they are referring to things they’ve seen or done, or have come to learn, for instance, which includes all those times that have involved people. The woman with the hot temper, the man with the calming demeanor, the cold, calculating type, or the jocular happy-go-lucky person.
I’ve known my share of people in the psychology field, be they friends or an acquaintance met, like a psychology professor from an Ivy league university who I met not long ago — we toured a historic area of the city we were in, and enjoyed a dinner together. A delightful meeting by chance, and what a coincidence that I might have the opportunity to draw upon that meeting in writing a character, when the person I met was in the psychology field, the topic of those asking me their questions.
But still, those pressing me for answers and explanations continued on. Apparently intrigued by a character in one of my novels, they were unexpectedly surprised by the character’s actions in my book, which they recognized to be quite accurate. With their how-did-you-know that interest they chipped away at me. Now having their undivided attention, I created different examples of situations in which people are often known to be in. I walked through the examples, introducing the characters involved and explaining the circumstances, before posing a question back to them. I asked, how do most people react (or behave) in this situation, and after a moment’s thought the slight grin of recognition spread itself across the silent faces in front of me.
I’m not a psychologist I quickly explain, before I point out that I prefer not to talk too much about the topic. An explanation which draws the immediate response, why not? After about 7 years of working in foreign countries, I found the topic to be quite controversial, I say. Too many misunderstandings have been created because the discussion at-hand doesn’t go into the necessary detail needed, and oftentimes the background required to adequately understand the discussion isn’t there. It’s all too sensitive in those circumstances, outside of basic examples, I continue to explain.
I tell these curious enthusiasts of writing that I have studied some psychology, and that I have also done a lot of work which required dealing with people, which includes listening for understanding. And it all requires interacting with many different personalities. It is when an author refers to their life experiences that they are referring to things they’ve seen or done, or have come to learn, for instance, which includes all those times that have involved people. The woman with the hot temper, the man with the calming demeanor, the cold, calculating type, or the jocular happy-go-lucky person.
I’ve known my share of people in the psychology field, be they friends or an acquaintance met, like a psychology professor from an Ivy league university who I met not long ago — we toured a historic area of the city we were in, and enjoyed a dinner together. A delightful meeting by chance, and what a coincidence that I might have the opportunity to draw upon that meeting in writing a character, when the person I met was in the psychology field, the topic of those asking me their questions.
But still, those pressing me for answers and explanations continued on. Apparently intrigued by a character in one of my novels, they were unexpectedly surprised by the character’s actions in my book, which they recognized to be quite accurate. With their how-did-you-know that interest they chipped away at me. Now having their undivided attention, I created different examples of situations in which people are often known to be in. I walked through the examples, introducing the characters involved and explaining the circumstances, before posing a question back to them. I asked, how do most people react (or behave) in this situation, and after a moment’s thought the slight grin of recognition spread itself across the silent faces in front of me.
Authors can create characters for different reasons and there's more to writing them than I've touched on here — and in those instances when a reader enjoys the realism of a character, it's a nice compliment when extended to this author.
I told the one-day-would-be-writers that observing people can offer a lot of insights into people’s reactions. It doesn’t tell you who they are I emphasized, but it does offer descriptions of how people react and behave. And having said that to them, I pointed out that they shouldn’t be surprised if someone, one day, approaches them and asks why they’re staring.
I told the one-day-would-be-writers that observing people can offer a lot of insights into people’s reactions. It doesn’t tell you who they are I emphasized, but it does offer descriptions of how people react and behave. And having said that to them, I pointed out that they shouldn’t be surprised if someone, one day, approaches them and asks why they’re staring.
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