It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's a post about character development. I believe this is the first time I've posted something like this. I'm generally not much for giving writing advice, mainly because I'm not sure anyone really wants to know what I think about such things, and also because I know that not every idea will work for every writer. But...(yes, I began a sentence with the word "but," you can throw tomatoes if you wish)...a few days ago my son asked me about peeling oranges, as I was peeling one and it occurred to me that different people--and thus different characters--have varying methods of peeling an orange.
This probably isn't a groundbreaking or revolutionary thought but have you ever considered how your character might peel an orange? Does your character even like oranges? Are oranges available where your character lives? Would John Q. Hero start the peel by using his ever present pocket knife or dagger? Would Emma Heroine use her teeth to get started? If you're writing a contemporary story your character could do what I do: use the tip of a vegetable peeler.
I'm not saying orange peeling will make or break anything in life or fiction, but little things like this can give you some insight into your character even if such fruity habits never make it onto the page.
Before I go, I must apologize if anyone finds this post lacking. I'm currently starring in a drama called "Return of the Migraines" and being on the computer for any length of time (as well as cohesive thought) is difficult for me at the moment. By next week I should be right as rain. These things hit me in cycles but they usually don't last long.
Happy reading, and writing.
Kate
This probably isn't a groundbreaking or revolutionary thought but have you ever considered how your character might peel an orange? Does your character even like oranges? Are oranges available where your character lives? Would John Q. Hero start the peel by using his ever present pocket knife or dagger? Would Emma Heroine use her teeth to get started? If you're writing a contemporary story your character could do what I do: use the tip of a vegetable peeler.
I'm not saying orange peeling will make or break anything in life or fiction, but little things like this can give you some insight into your character even if such fruity habits never make it onto the page.
Before I go, I must apologize if anyone finds this post lacking. I'm currently starring in a drama called "Return of the Migraines" and being on the computer for any length of time (as well as cohesive thought) is difficult for me at the moment. By next week I should be right as rain. These things hit me in cycles but they usually don't last long.
Happy reading, and writing.
Kate
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