Keeping Characters In-Character
The best way to keep you characters in character is to 1. understand people and 2. develop your character as much as possible.
Understanding People Complexly
If youâre a writer, then most likely youâre a reader, which means that most likely you have a pretty good grasp of basic psychology and youâre capable of empathizing with people. Studies have show that people who read regularly, especially people who read novels, are much more likely to be able to empathize and âunderstandâ people. So, if you struggle with either of those things, I suggest you read a lot more fiction.
Reading and actively analyzing characters (especially doing this alongside a group of people who are also analyzing these characters) will not only have you thinking deeply and complexly about fictional characters, but real people as well. When you have a well-rounded understanding of people as a whole, youâll naturally be more creative when it comes to making characters. Their many dimensions will appear organically.
This will do the same thing for you that reading will, but so an even further extent. Non-fictional people are often a lot more complicated than characters areâat least they often make less sense. They are less controlled, more surprising, and their minds work differently than yours. Listening, watching, analyzing, and attempting to understand real people will work wonders for your creation and understanding of your own characters.
Know the Basic Components of All People (And Characters)
Motivations, desires, needs, logic, personality, tendencies, perceptions, expectations, etc. All of these things alter how the person thinks and acts, and they all affect each other. They work together, and sometimes they clash, and itâs important that you are aware that all of these things are at play all at once. All the time.
Developing Your Character
To keep your character consistent, you need to have a full understanding of them. Once you do have a full understanding of them, they will naturally be consistent. You wonât have to think about it. Youâll know how they would react to a certain situation before you even know why.
Donât Worry About Taking Yourself Out of the Equation
It wonât work, anyway. Youâre a huge part of the equation. Hell, you are the equation.
Some people have a problem where their mood affects what they write. When theyâre sad, their characters or story is sad. When theyâre happy, same thing. Often people begin to try to separate themselves from the story to fix this problem. But that doesnât make sense because this is your story, and it needs you for it to be good.
Instead, simply be aware. Be aware of where your real life is interacting with your story life. Feel it out, understand it, and you will be able to control it. Often your subconscious is just trying to get you to process all the issues youâre dealing with in your life, and not only will writing them into and through your story help you come to terms with them, it will add layers upon layers to the story, especially your characters. Embrace it, and watch where it takes you.
Be Aware of Stereotypes and Expectations
Oftenâthis is especially with beginning writers, who are often the ones struggling with consistent charactersâthe reason characters become inconsistent is because the writer is allowing stereotypes or expectations of how this type of character should act invade the actual character. This leads to the limitation of the character and erratic, random behavior. Be aware of what you and your reader would expect from a character in this situation, and remind yourself that that isnât how the character actually has to react. They should react how their character development dictates.
Development Advice and Practice
4 Ways to Develop Your Characters
Tabathaâs Guide to Creating a Character
123 Ideas for Character Flaws
My character development tag
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