Are you creating a new character and trying to figure out how to make him/her different from every other character you’ve created?  Try this – Instead of picking out a name from thin air and then attaching a bunch of characteristics to your paper doll, start from the inside-out.

Start with finding their core identity. 

Identity is not about what career you have – skydiver, wilderness EMT, policeman, lawyer, photographer, chef, teacher – but rather the person on the inside that has driven you to this destiny.  A core identity starts with an adjective and ends with a proper noun.  “My character is a [insert proper noun here].”  Here’s how:

Let’s take a firefighter, for example. We might automatically assume he’s a protector, or courageous. But let’s take a look at the person inside the turncoat. Maybe our firefighter is actually the son of the chief and the youngest brother of three other firefighters, and he’s trying to prove that he can measure up to them. And, because of his experience having three older brothers, maybe he’s the kind of guy who always stands back to assess the situation before running into it – a characteristic that saves lives in the end, but that makes him a poor firefighter in the eyes of others.  He’s a thinker, and patient.  He also sees all sides, so he’s a surveyor of sorts.  Once we figure out a few adjectives, let’s start assigning a couple proper nouns that encapsulate his character.   Analyst. Architect.  Engineer.  Remember, we’re not looking at the profession now – we’re looking at the characteristics that embody that noun.

Let’s say we decide on Engineer as our character’s (let’s call him Hank) identity.  Although Hank works as a firefighter, his core identity is Engineer – which means that he embodies the characteristics of a man who considers the problem and then devises a solution before jumping in to fix it.  Once we have the core identity, we can start adding personality to Hank.

Hank is Patient.  Prone to see the whole picture and not take sides.  Determined to solve problems.  Possibly even quiet and withdrawn as he’s thinking.  He’s probably a pretty organized, immaculate person – at least in his private life, and maybe he’s always tinkering with things, like building tinker toys with kids at the local daycare center where he volunteers along with the other firefighters.  Or maybe he’s into history, and loves researching the old buildings of Chicago (where he lives).  He hates rushing into decisions because he feels like he’s going to find himself with no way out.  Thus, he is super frugal and drives the same car he had in college.

I like Hank – and it’s only taken me a few minutes to really get at his core and figure him out.  Now, I can build a plot around him, adding in pressure points that speak to his core – like, what if he had to make a split decision and it cost lives?  Or, what if he was asked to take sides on something.  What if someone came into his life that was a risk-taker and impulsive?  What if it was his chief?

What if the chief was a woman?  😉

See how starting with his core identity has created the start to a plot, tension and even a romance?

Quick Skill:  Find the Core Identity of your Character, and then build the plot around that.  Your character will have instant depth and personality.

Have a great writing week!
Susie May

P.S.  As you might already know, MBT is now offering an advanced membership!  And, the month of January is preview month.  Go to:  http://teammemberpreview.mybooktherapy.com to find out more and sign up for your free trial membership.  No obligation, you get to join in the fun, and you’ll get an invite at the end of the month to join at our reduced rate! Hope to see you on the team!