“Ogres Are Like Onions”

[authorwithin]

I love the exchange between Shrek and Donkey where Shrek tries to explain ogres. It’s a great example of characterization, and also showing vs. telling.

Shrek could have told Donkey, “Ogres have layers,” but by using an analogy (onions), he illustrates (pun intended) it for Donkey. The exchange between them after Shrek’s declaration of “Ogres are

Comments

[bogwitch64]

I spend way too much time with my characters, and in their heads, not to know them. :)

I think that's a huge advantage of writing novels--you have a whole lot more time to get to know everyone.

Great stuff here, Joan!

(Hope all is well with your daughter.)

[authorwithin]

Thanks. Novels sure do give more time to get to know the characters!

K is doing better. =)

[kimberleylittle]

Great example with Shrek and Donkey. :-)

Usually on my second draft I think about this aspect more deeply. I start looking at my character's thoughts and dialogue and try to use the setting or their own personality and interests to bring those layers in and try to use the language *they* would use to describe something or in the way that they view the world. This is a great point, Joan. Sometimes it happens unconsciously when we're very immersed in our story and world, but sometimes you find places where it can be honed or added to make it even stronger.

[authorwithin]

Thanks. =)

K has been home from school and has been watching the Shrek movies so they're fresh in my mind. ;-)

[anabelgonzalez]

I love when Shrek says that of himself. I love to think about characters with layers.
I will check out the link! Is good to have new tools for knowing better our characters.

[authorwithin]

Yeah, that's one of my favorite parts of the first movie. =) Hope you find the link helpful. =D

[de311_nightluva]

Lovely entry. I'll have to try the personality quizzes. On most projects I do a series of questions and free write to them about characters (about their past, desires, needs, the 'why's of life...etc)

[authorwithin]

I do both the personality quizzes and a questionaire for my characters. I find the personality quizzes helpful because on some of the sites, they tell you which personality types have a hard time getting along, which ones get along well, etc. That way I know which types best compliment or contend with each other (with some psychological reasoning behind it). =D

[paulwoodlin]

So what is it with the donkey talking about parfait? I don't even know what parfait is, but I assumed it was some sort of dessert. Maybe one of the reasons I laughed was the ridiculousness of a donkey talking about parfait. Shrek was pretty much a straight man in ridiculous situations (like you said, the onion analogy was quite logical) while the donkey had comical lines.

[authorwithin]

Yes, parfait is a layered dessert . . . yogurt, pudding or icecream layered with fruit or even cookies. The possibilities are endless. =)

Donkey was definitely the comic relief, though Shrek had funny lines as well. =)