Ok, well last nights cake was Lemon Drizzle….mmmmmm 
Class was all about character, one of my favourite subjects 
A few things that were discussed:
Characters need to be balanced. They need to have positive and negative traits to make them believable.
What’s your characters blind spot? What can’t they see?
It doesn’t matter if you like or dislike a character – you need to understand them, and so does the reader.
Characters need to have a sense of who they are. How is their sense of self constructed? What defines them?
A character must have a past, vulnerabilities and a world view. Push them to their limits!
Someone suggested the Who Are You exercise which is apparently a recognised psychological test. I’ve never heard of it, but, the hubster has agreed to have a go with me at the weekend (I’ll report back lol). What you do is ask someone Who Are You 20 times and they have to respond with a different answer each time. Apparently the first 10 times are usually pretty easy, but after that it can get very difficult to define yourself. This test can be used on your characters
Have you ever tried the Who Are You Exercise?
Agree! I did this with someone who was trying to craft a character. I told him to give me one word that best describes himself but is not his profession (eg. A Scientist – because he is absolutely innovative and makes his own gadgets). Then half an hour later, asked him again to give another word. This helps to strengthen the base of the character!
Thanks honey, I can’t wait to try it out
Xx
I really like this exercise. It seems pretty cool! Being that I tend to write from the hip, I have a difficulty knowing my characters until many, many words in. This seems like a good test so that I can jumpstart my characters’ personalties a lot sooner.
It sounds interesting doesn’t it honey.
Do let me know how you get on if you try it
Xx
Absolutely!!
‘Who are you?’ sounds like a fun exercise. I will definitely be trying it on my characters!
I’m also glad that you mentioned characters having both positive and negative traits. Too often, in some books I read, I am confronted by characters who simply have no flaws. In my opinion, that gives them no room for growth or change! To that end, my own characters always have a dark side. That darkness is what seems to make the words fly onto the page. I want to see them prevail over it.
Characters who are too perfect are so annoying aren’t they!
IMO characters are just like people, and we all have baggage don’t we!
Totally agree honey xx
So was the cake of good character?
I’ve never heard of the “Who are you” either but it sounds useful.
The cake was of good character yes, which is a good job, because who wants cake with flaws?
If you try it honey let me know how you got on
Xx
This is excellent. Thank you.
You’re welcome Barbara
Xx
Sounds like a very useful exercise, Vikki … and perhaps an after dinner game!!
He he he, oh definitely Chris
Xx
Yum…lemon drizzle cake. Good tips on characters. I do love reading about characters I can believe are real. Those that you like in spite of or maybe because of their faults. They’re fallible like all of us.
Thanks Sabrina
EXACTLY! I don’t know anyone who is perfect, so beleivable characters shouldn’t be either
Xx
I’ve never tried the “Who you are” exercise, but I always find it helpful to interview a character when I’m stuck on who he or she is. I find it really helps me to discover a lot about them that I didn’t know before.
I love all those character interviews you can find online Chris
Totally!
Xx
I’ve done this exercise – it’s hard but good
Lemon Drizzle – nom nom nom…
I will definitely post my results Dianne
He he he!
Xx
Who are you?
Ha ha ha
Today, I’m not quite sure Kate!
Xx
That’s Great….!!!!!Thanks.
You’re welcome Kate
Xx
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I did it about 15 years ago. I have not checked my journals to see what I responded nor can I remember. I have simply written a list, in no particular order and the list is simply as the answers came to me. When I had to stop and think a bit hard I have indicated that with a ===
My response is here http://anglersrest.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/who-am-i.html
Now I have shared my responses I will look through at everyone else’s.
Go you Julie!
Will pop over and have a look
Xx