Building Character

Names are important. Names give clues about us, where we live, who we are. In some cases they can even tell what we do! There is a certain ring about George W. Bush, you just know he's American! You can almost feel the Texan, and taste the oil

When selecting names try and make them suit the person and place, you might not think it but the name tells a lot about a character - think of Scrooge, of Judas - call someone by those names and people will just know what you mean. Location. Location. Location.

If you are writing a story set in the 1950's then check what names were been used then. A useful tip rent an old film and watch carefully the names in the credits at the end. Listen to what people are called in the film.

I like American gangster movies and get some of my names from popular movies of the day. I'll rent a Humphrey Bogart film and watch the credits. It's surprising the names you can come up with!

Pick names that ring true to the place you're writing about e.g. you would hardly have a Padrig in Spain - it's an Irish name. Tarquin Fortesque-Smythe could be from an American working class background, but you wouldn't think so from the name you'd probably say he belongs to the London G&T set.

Is your character 6, 16, 26, 36, or 76? Remember that people of different ages have different outlooks on life and different values. At 6 you're more interested in a new toy, at sixteen you're thinking of a living toy! At 36 you're worrying about the bills and at 76 - well I haven't got there yet! How would a 6 year old react on a day trip to Disneyworld, would a 76 year old go on it?

It is sometimes true that an author can write better about the opposite sex than they can about their own sex. You might want to give it a try.

Physical attributes and characteristics ? a good exercise is to sit down and describe in detail what your character looks like: the colour of their hair, their eyes, what sort of build they are, what type of clothes they wear, what kind of footwear. Have they any obvious marks, scars etc. We have a habit of judging people by how they look.

Get to know your character as well as you know yourself. You may never use it but why not interview him/her. Ask them questions: questions about their life, what they like to eat, favorite films, favourite drinks, where they were on holidays last year, where are they going next year. Does he vote? Who does he vote for?

© Kevin Hart MA BA(hons) ABC Writers Network 2005

Kevin Hart
kevin@abcwritersnetwork.co.uk
http://www.abcwritersnetwork.co.uk
ABC Writers Network: an indispensable resource for creative writers with competitions, suggestions, reviews and general market advice.

---

How To Write to a Word Count

You've finished your story, and you're pretty happy with it.... Read More

Write Possibilities

We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We... Read More

Ways to Make Extra Income Using the Internet

To capitalize on ways to make extra income you can... Read More

Amazing Ways Writing Articles Can Improve Your Business

How to get a lot of traffic to your website... Read More

Writing Tips for your Journey

Tips for your writing journeySo, you'd like to be a... Read More

Rules for Getting the Story Down

1. Write it fast, fix it later.2. Commit to writing... Read More

Writing for the Internet -- How To Give the Readers What They Want

In this article you will find tips on: How to... Read More

Use These 3 Editing Tips to Ensure Your Writing Hits the Bull?s-Eye

The first step in the writing process is to put... Read More

The Top Five Mistakes That Companies Make with Regard to Technical Documentation

I've seen it time and again. One of the most... Read More

Tips For Better Writing

It is certainly true that we don't get a second... Read More

Are You a Freelance Writer? - Then You Need a Website

As a freelance writer, it is important to present yourself... Read More

Do I Have To Be A Good Writer to Market My Own Business?

Many of the most effective low-cost marketing strategies require writing.... Read More

An Introduction to Self Publishing Material

Any article, report or book which is bought or sold... Read More

The Run-on Sentence: From Here To Eternity

If you find your sentences filled with commas, and they... Read More

Piecing It All Together

There's a little known secret we writers like to keep... Read More

Are You Feeling Dash-ing? Using Punctuation for Effect and Influence

The dash--that curious mark of punctuation people use in their... Read More

How To Be A Published (Non-Fiction) Author

1. Turning your idea into a bookWith non-fiction books the... Read More

Platform Development Tip #1: Switch Writing Hats!

Around eighty percent of nonfiction books today are written by... Read More

Using Technology to Improve Your Final Draft

One Saturday afternoon, I sat in a packed conference room... Read More

A Writers Tools

William Faulkner, the great Mississippi writer, said, "The tools I... Read More

Should I Keep Writing?

Writers are an insecure lot.It's easy to understand why. You... Read More

Understanding The First Rule Of Writing ? Before You Start The Great American Book

Chaos and confusion come when established rules and procedures are... Read More

Proofreading for Profits

How to avoid mistakes that undermine your credibilityYou're probably already... Read More

Pairs/Groups Of Words Often Confused - Part 4 of 6

LATER, LATTERLater means afterwards; latter is the second of two... Read More

The Top Five Writing Mistakes Professionals Make

Yes, you know your subject. You also need to think... Read More

Making The Time To Write That Novel

Finding the time to write a novel is one of... Read More

Going On A Word Diet

There are three ways to write a first draft. One... Read More

Writing Short Info Reports

People want information, they want it quick, frequently in short... Read More

The Write Habit: How to Strengthen Your Writing Muscle

Writing is a muscle that needs exercise to stay in... Read More

Creative Writing Tips - Does The Name You Chose Suit Your Character?

How do you choose a name? Do you put down... Read More

Beginners Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as a Freelancer

Beginner's Blues: How to Collect Samples, Testimonials, and References as... Read More

Who Said That? Making Dialogue Crystal Clear

Recently, I was hunting for a book that would simply... Read More

Freelance Writing: How Many Regular Clients Should You Have?

This is a tough question for every freelance writer. For... Read More