Let's Create a Novel Character

Start with someone you know, or know of. If it's someone from your life I suggest writing under a pseudonym.

Now, whom have I met recently? Well, we are in a pandemic so I don't exactly bump into new people often. I'm usually always at home. So I wonder...

Okay, I think I have something.

Last night I had to drive out at 1:30 in the morning. For nefarious reasons? I'll let you decide. Oh wait. No I won't. I don't want anyone thinking I was out spreading the virus. Okay it was a boring reason, but still an interesting time of night, no? I was out helping with a car break down. The end.

Anyway, I saw a person at the end of my street as I was driving out. This person made me think of the song The Freaks Come Out at Night. My reason for thinking this was the way he was dressed. A grey hoodie. That's not too freaky. Black sweatpants / joggers. Normal enough, to the knees anyway. For some reason his sweats were shoved up over his knees and he was wearing thick wool socks so yellow I could see their colour in the night. The socks were bunched up near to wear he'd shoved his sweats.

Now, we are having major floods again here in Stourport-on-Severn. Yet even if his sweats were pulled up to maybe rescue someone from the river, why would he have such strange socks on?

And here's my point. Questioning. If you want to start creating a character you've got to question everything about them.

1. Question what they might be thinking.

2. What is that they are wearing on that particular day?

3. Why are they wearing that?

4. What's their motivation for what they are doing?

5. What outcome might they have to their way of thinking?

As you ask questions of your characters you can start to imagine more things that transpire from the answers you create.

For example, I'm thinking that guy might have actually saved someone from the floods. What a heroic scene that would make to write. Then afterwards some one gave him long warm socks to wear as his legs were wet and cold. He simply walked home on his own after that, at 1:30 in the morning. A secret hero who remains humble and anonymous.

The End.

Until his next heroic act.

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