Characters are not static constructs, they need to adapt and grow throughout the story in order for them to feel real.
But changes to a character need to feel natural and organic. They must flow with the story, caused by the events the character experiences. No-one would have enjoyed watching Luke Skywalker start swinging a lightsaber and taking on Darth Vader the first time he set foot on the Death Star. We needed to see Luke develop from a frustrated and idealistic farm boy, to an eager and aggressive student of the Force, and finally to a powerful and controlled Jedi Knight, capable of forming effective plans and making hard decisions for the greater good, rather than his own desires.
When I'm creating a character, especially a protagonist, I usually create two versions in my mind. The first is the final result, the hero he is meant to be. The second is who the protagonist is at the beginning. Then I chart out the evolution of the character through various significant events and turning points, always looking for ways I can show the reader how the hero is changing without having it seem stilted and abrupt.
Apr 6, 2011
E is for Evolution
Paul Anthony Shortt believes in magic and monsters. In ghosts and fairies. The creatures that lurk under the bed and inside the closet. The things that live in the dark, and the heroes who stand against them. Above all, he believes that stories have the power to change the world, and the most important stories are the ones which show that monsters can be beaten.
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This is a great idea.
ReplyDeleteWay too organized for me. LOL!
I just started finally writing from an outline after rewrites on the first two novels spanked by @ss.
Live, learn and evolve. Maybe I can put this in the outline of my fourth...
I like my characters better after they've grown and show more will, determination, and strength. But, they have to evolve to that point; it's a journey.
ReplyDeleteToby: I'm not as organised as I seem. Most of my pre-writing planning takes place in my head as I'm going to and from work. :-p
ReplyDeleteMarsha: Definitely. It's tough sometimes to keep characters from becoming what we want them to be too early.
I do this, too! Character evolution is critical for me -- it's usually what I centre all the plot points around. It sounds easy but it's so hard to do.
ReplyDelete