Character, and Character-Writer Relations

[sartorias]

In the past couple of days, Justine Larbalestier has posted some nifty stuff, including this one on character building, which caused another writer to add a riff on what works and what doesn't for her in character building seminars and panels. She said she's squicked by techniques like interviewing characters, or pretending characters are in the

Comments

I can interview my characters

[marycatelli]

Briefly.

It starts with a question, they start peppering me with questions about this "interviewing" stuff, and then they end up edging out the door 'cause they don't like this sort of stuff. It's too weird.

And who says that characters know and can articulate what you need to know about them? There is a warrior in my head -- a dark-haired horseman from the steppes -- of whom I know nothing except what his answer would be about why he raids settlements and merchant trains: "What a womanish question."

Re: I can interview my characters

[marycatelli]

on a tangent -- this inspired me to pontificate on what I do do to develop characters, here.

Re: I can interview my characters

[sartorias]

Whatever works is to the good!

Re: I can interview my characters

[jesterjoker]

More like arguing?

"I don't trust you, Mr Writer, you are mean and do unpleasant things."

I think that probably says things about yours, and my, subconscious. :D

Re: I can interview my characters

[marycatelli]

That our subconsciouses are capable of producing sensible characters who don't like being interviewed and don't trust people who do terrible things? Fictionally, but then, they're fictional.