http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/07/characters-head/ mysteries to fall in love with, romance to keep you in suspense Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:09:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/07/characters-head/#comment-1039 Don Phillips Mon, 26 Oct 2009 18:15:06 +0000 http://jordanmccollum.com/?p=676#comment-1039 I've worked in a similar fashion as Pat above using the interview technique to "dig up" personal stuff on characters. I use several different models of interviewers. One is an interview by a Professional Magazine to get at the professional accomplishments of each character and let the character tell their own story, very powerful for deep POV writing. Second would be interviewing family, friends and childhood acquaintences of their memories of the character. The roll of the interviewer could be FBI, Potential Public Relations for hiring or even a love interest seeking to know the character better for the sake of building a deep relationship. All of these have served me well in discovering my character's true identity even if it is an imaginary interview. It helps me to put a finger on deciding how my character should answer or what deep dark secrets I should embed in the character's psyche to develop the character. Thank you for your contribution Jordon. This helps me conceptualize and internalize the writing skills necessary to engage the reader with writing that comes to life. I’ve worked in a similar fashion as Pat above using the interview technique to “dig up” personal stuff on characters. I use several different models of interviewers. One is an interview by a Professional Magazine to get at the professional accomplishments of each character and let the character tell their own story, very powerful for deep POV writing. Second would be interviewing family, friends and childhood acquaintences of their memories of the character. The roll of the interviewer could be FBI, Potential Public Relations for hiring or even a love interest seeking to know the character better for the sake of building a deep relationship. All of these have served me well in discovering my character’s true identity even if it is an imaginary interview. It helps me to put a finger on deciding how my character should answer or what deep dark secrets I should embed in the character’s psyche to develop the character. Thank you for your contribution Jordon. This helps me conceptualize and internalize the writing skills necessary to engage the reader with writing that comes to life.

]]> http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/07/characters-head/#comment-169 Jordan Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:35:26 +0000 http://jordanmccollum.com/?p=676#comment-169 Awesome, Pat! Good job. Awesome, Pat! Good job.

]]> http://jordanmccollum.com/2009/07/characters-head/#comment-145 Pat O'Brien Tue, 07 Jul 2009 23:02:52 +0000 http://jordanmccollum.com/?p=676#comment-145 I just recently discovered the power of interview. I was ready to start a second draft of a fantasy novel. Since I knew there were weaknesses, I decided to interview three major characters. I did not use a questionaire. I just asked them to tell me about their childhoods. Then I wrote each in first person and learned things that really deepened characterization and motivation. The antagonist, in particular, took on a whole new depth. I don't think I'll ever write again without asking my characters that question. I just recently discovered the power of interview. I was ready to start a second draft of a fantasy novel. Since I knew there were weaknesses, I decided to interview three major characters. I did not use a questionaire. I just asked them to tell me about their childhoods. Then I wrote each in first person and learned things that really deepened characterization and motivation. The antagonist, in particular, took on a whole new depth. I don’t think I’ll ever write again without asking my characters that question.

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