How not to make an army of "me" for Original characters?
Sometimes in English class, I have to do a prompt with specific needs (vocabulary, setting, etc.). I like to use my characters to act out the scene, but I've noticed recently the characters personalities are not acting how they were supposed to be. I know they say to let your characters take the lead, but they all react pretty much the same. For example: I have a set of twin characters, and they were supposed to be iconic opposites. One was named Kiho. He was supposed to be shy and friendly, but in my recent skits he's been morphing into my personality, (snappy, feels the need to be independent, cold.) My characters get into frequent arguments, and it's very strange for some of them because they weren't supposed to be like that. They're all becoming cold and mean, and even I don't really know how to be sweet or nice much. I don't have many friends (separate topic, not important) so I can't get any POV. I still haven't been able to understand other kinds of personalities yet, and I don't want to just be stereotypical. How do I fix them to at least not be me?
5 answers
Michelle’s Answer
This is such an awesome question !
You bring up a very good point when you've mentioned that you are low on socialization because life experience will indeed teach you about people and personalities, situations and dialogue. You'll have to know how to write for characters that are old men, young men, old women, children, etc. But it is all okay for right now.
Write how you write and change the story or characters whenever you want. In real life, some people do morph in certain situations, so you'll have to adjust the character's behavior according to the scene, what's happening and where the characters fit into the storyline.
You can try putting your characters into situations that you know about first hand. Don't think too much about the characters, rather let the situation and circumstances guide the characters. For school work, create some new characters, not using your already created characters, and you'll be pleasantly surprised what you come up with. Give your new characters a short biography and physical description in your notes. What happened before the story begins ? If your character is in a mood, what brought the character to be in that mood ? Research you character's personality.
These things will come easier with life experience. Write what you are familiar with and if you have to research something, research it. As time goes on and you progress each year, you will learn more and more and things will seem easier for you.
In order to fix the characters to "not be you" write them as opposite. Also, do write stories with characters that are like you which is a good thing, too. But always think of your story - the story should direct what the characters say and do.
Dr’s Answer
1. Create Detailed Character Profiles: Write down specific traits, quirks, fears, and desires that are unique to each character. Think about what makes them different from you—perhaps they have a totally different life experience, background, or values.
2. Explore Different Personality Types: Research personality frameworks like Myers-Briggs (MBTI) or the Enneagram. Understanding these types will help you diversify how your characters might respond to situations.
3. Change Their Backstories: Make your characters' past experiences shape them differently from you. For example, one might have had a difficult childhood, while another had a loving but overly protective family. These experiences can lead them to respond differently in similar situations.
4. Observe People Around You: Pay attention to the real people around you. Notice their reactions, speech patterns, and behaviors. Use these observations to build more distinct personalities for your characters.
5. Write From Their Perspective: Try writing journal entries or scenes specifically from each character’s point of view. This exercise will help you immerse yourself in their mindset and prevent them from sounding too much like you.
6. Ask for Feedback: Sharing your writing with others (friends, teachers, or writing groups) can give you an outside perspective on whether your characters feel too similar to you. They might offer suggestions on how to make them more distinct.
7. Write Situations That Test Their Limits: Put your characters in challenging situations where they can’t react like you. Let their responses be shaped by their unique traits rather than your own.
Remember, it's okay for some of your traits to show through in your characters, but intentionally diversifying their personalities and backgrounds will give them depth and make them feel more like their own person.
Chinyere’s Answer
Creating distinct and believable characters can definitely be challenging, but it’s great that you’re aware of the issue and want to improve. Here are a few tips to help your characters stand out as unique individuals:
1. Character Profiles: Create detailed profiles for each character. Include things like their likes, dislikes, background, motivations, and quirks. This will help you keep their personalities consistent.
2. Voice Journals: Try writing journal entries from each character’s point of view. This can help you get into their mindset and understand how they think and feel differently from you.
3. Research: Look up different personality types and traits. You can use resources like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to help you understand various personalities and how they might behave in different situations.
4. Observation: Pay attention to how people around you behave. Notice how their reactions and speech patterns differ from yours. You don’t need to mimic them, but taking note of these differences can inspire more diverse character behaviors.
5. Prompts and Exercises: Use writing prompts and exercises that challenge you to write from the perspective of someone very different from yourself. This can help you get out of your comfort zone and explore new character dynamics.
6. Feedback: If possible, share your work with others, like teachers or writing groups, to get feedback on your characters. They can provide insights and suggestions to make your characters more distinct.
It’s okay if your characters sometimes borrow traits from you – it’s natural! The key is to be mindful of it and intentionally diversify their characteristics. Keep practicing, and soon your characters will start living their own lives on the page.
Good luck, and happy writing!
James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
MY TAKE:-
I have two main talents computer programming and nutrition. I combined the two talents when in 1994 a patient told me that the one-day sample menus were not sufficient to tell her what to eat between consults. This was the nutrition education resource in written form utilized world-wide by nutritionists and dietitians. Then there were the food group selection lists from many dietitians. This resource did not cut the mustard either. Too many mathematical demands on the patient, who was unsure for weeks, whether they were doing this calculation properly.
Well, this patient wanted a 14-day food menu! I set about crafting the necessary software to do the job. That involved the QBASIC computer language. From 1994 I worked hard at programming. I made the Diet Wizard. ⟶
https://www.youtube.com/@JAMES_CONSTANTINE_FRANGOS
Have a look at my profile here's the address https://www.careervillage.org/users/179930/?next=
Go to the About James Constantine section it's a header.
Scroll down to the query entitled "in lay person terms what do you actually do at work?" I FIX SICK PEOPLE, AND MAKE WELL PEOPLE WELLER.
Here you find all the nutrients described. Also you'll be able to look up the food sources that they come from and what these substances do in the body. They increase human performance in the areas of academic, conceptual, intellectual, mental, psychological, physical, and sports functions. So you can get far more work done when you're properly nourished.
You will also find that you invent character attributes that are far more positive renditions, more varied, versions of the characters you have created, deliberated on. When you have difficulties creating new characters, it is easier to gravitate to familiarity - copies of what you are familiar with - you!
These are uplifting attributes, depth, and variability to add to the viewer's experiences, creating joy! This results from you, the author, eating foods that are higher in nutrients such as B complex vitamins, magnesium, and zinc!
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE'S TAKE!
It sounds like you're experiencing a common pitfall in character development! Here's how to break free from creating "army of me" characters:
1. Deepen Your Character Research:
Go Beyond Basic Traits: Instead of just labeling a character as "shy" or "outgoing," delve deeper.
What are their motivations? What drives their actions? What are their fears and desires?
What are their unique quirks and habits? Do they have any unusual hobbies, phobias, or ways of speaking?
What is their backstory? How has their past shaped their personality?
Use Character Worksheets: There are many online resources and writing books with character worksheets. These can help you explore different aspects of your characters, such as their physical appearance, relationships, strengths, weaknesses, and backstories.
Observe Real People: Pay attention to the people around you. How do they interact? What are their mannerisms? What makes them unique?
2. Break Free from Your Own Perspective:
Research Different Personality Types: Learn about psychological theories like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) or the Enneagram. This can help you understand different personality types and create characters that feel more authentic.
Challenge Your Assumptions: Actively question your own assumptions about how people behave. Are you projecting your own anxieties or desires onto your characters?
Seek Feedback: If possible, share your work with others and ask for their feedback. Do your characters feel realistic and believable to them?
3. Explore Different Writing Techniques:
Freewriting: Spend some time freewriting from your character's perspective. This can help you get inside their head and understand their thoughts and feelings.
Role-playing: Imagine yourself as your character and act out their responses to different situations. This can help you understand their behavior more deeply.
Write from a Different Character's POV: Try writing a scene from the perspective of a different character in your story. This will force you to step outside of your own perspective and see the world through their eyes.
4. Embrace Imperfection:
Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Your characters don't have to be perfect. In fact, flaws can make them more interesting and relatable.
Experiment and Iterate: Don't be afraid to experiment with different character traits and plotlines. If something isn't working, try something new.
Addressing Your Specific Concerns:
Twin Characters: To make your twins distinct, give them:
Different interests and hobbies: One might love music, the other might be a sports enthusiast.
Distinct physical features: Even subtle differences can make them memorable.
Contrasting backstories: Perhaps one had a traumatic childhood experience while the other had a more sheltered upbringing.
"Cold and Mean" Characters:
Analyze why your characters are behaving this way. Is it a conscious choice? Are they reacting to a specific situation or event?
Consider giving them moments of vulnerability or kindness to show different sides of their personalities.
Remember, character development takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and don't get discouraged if your characters don't always behave as you initially envisioned.
I hope these tips help you create more diverse and compelling characters!
Wilson’s Answer
You could also make a spreadsheet and choose certain dominant traits and ideologies that motivate each character. Are they greedy/generous, calm/restless, aggressive/passive, patient/hot tempered, etc. then challenge yourself to think how this person's emotional leanings and intellect would dictate their reactions.
Or you could also take public figures and plug their personality into each character based on their archetypes i.e. if someone is a narcissist you would study Kanye West, if they are polite study Dolly Parton, etc.
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