How to Become the Character You Are Writing About

Firstly, I do not profess to be a an expert within the area of creative writing and writing books; it is merely my wish to share with you a few successful experiences. With my history of using counseling and psychotherapy skills, I have drawn together ways to get into character to bring out a convincing story to your readers. In my experience of receiving comments about my book A Year In June; readers have often said they can relate to the characters I have used. This is how I invented the characters for my book:

To start you may have a type of character in mind for your story and it maybe even based upon someone you know or have met before. Take a sheet of paper and brainstorm every single characteristic trait you can think of, as many words or symbols as possible - use colours if it helps. Here is where focus is really important, stay with it and give yourself permission to become obsessed with this character, delve into their world. Look at the words you have written on the paper and without thinking, draw your character. It doesn't matter what it looks like or whether you are an artist or can draw at all. What matters is that you let your imagination flow through you pen/pencil and make a shape on the paper. Logically, it may not make sense and that is okay. This is merely a representation of the character with all the words you've written; this is for you to refer back to once you start your story. It might be something the character does which makes all the difference; something they say often; a particular way they look or maybe even how they are feeling now - just go with flow of your imagination - bask and indulge in your creativity, no ones looking or listening, just go with it. What we are attempting to do here is to turn off your logic and thinking brain and activate your creativity to bring about spontaneous responses.

Okay, now you have your sheet of paper with scribbles, writings and whatever sketches and drawings. Turn your paper over and ask your character the following questions and write their reply as follows:

1. What is your name?

2. How old are you?

3. Are you male or female?

4. What are your likes?

5. What are your dislikes?

6. What is your favourite food?

7. If you enjoyed reading, which book would it be?

8. How do you act under pressure?

9. What secrets do you have?

10. What is your lifelong ambition?

11. What makes you happy?

12. What makes you sad?

13. Who are your friends?

14. Who are your family?

15. How would you describe yourself?

16. What do you eat for lunch?

17. How do others experience you?

Again, do not think about the replies; just write the first thing you pen wants to express and go with the flow. You could invent your own questions and change them to suit. From my experience, I have learned that if you know your characters, so will the reader. I hope this is useful to you. Enjoy!