BUSINESS 131 [M] [1] [2] [3] [4] - Classroom A - Classroom B

Week 2: Use Setting to Develop Characters - Know Where they Come From

Chapter 3, pages 24-34

Do you know where your character comes from? Is there a family history which shapes and molds them into the “person” they are? Below are two exercises to help us identify more completely with our main characters.

Exercise #1

  • Make a simple geographic map to show “where” they are from? A street map may be helpful. Fictional settings make this even more important to us.
  • What is an abbreviated history of their home town? How does this history influence your character?
  • What does your setting look, smell, feel, sound and taste like? How does it affect your senses? Are there mountain ranges, lakes, or deserts? Show it to us, and bring it more into focus for yourself. How does this affect your characters?
  • Is there a specific government or political slant? This could impact many aspects of your story and open all kinds of potential conflict. Are there economic and social issues that could add to the dimension of your story? Is your character involved in these facets of life, if so how does it impact them?
  • Is there a special monetary, legal and retail, etc. system? Maybe your people do things differently. If so, explain what is different and why. Are they a throwback to another time, or are they ahead of us? Does your character like this?
  • Tell us about the kinds of people or beings around your character. Do they look, talk or act differently? If not, what or who are they like, or are they completely unique? What is it like to live there? This could include education, recreation, employment, religion and so on. What would a typical day for your character encompass?

Exercise #2 – Three Dimensional Tip Sheet

To have three dimensional characters, you need to create a physical, sociological and psychological environment for them. These environments would include the following elements. (I found this in the Schaum’s Quick Guide to Writing Short Stories)

Physical Environment 
  • Geography and terrain – hilly, flat, desolate, near water, dry
  • Weather and Climate – hot, cold, humid, muggy, dry
  • Flora and Fauna – Plants and Animals
  • Built Environment – The buildings and architecture. Road systems, etc.
Sociological Environment
  • Types of People – How do the people interact? Do they come from a variety of backgrounds? Do different groups mingle or stay alone?
  • Social and Political Climate – Who is in charge? What is the power structure? What are the “hot buttons” for the area?
  • Economic Base and Major Industries – How do people earn a living? What is the socio-economic structure?
  • Education – What level of education do people usually obtain? Do they value education? Are the schools good, or poor?
  • Religion – What religions are represented? Does any one predominate?
  • Local Taste – How do people dress? What kind of cars do they drive? Is there a local specialty or cuisine?
  • Holidays and Celebrations – Are there any special holidays or customs?
  • Arts, Culture and Entertainment – What kind of entertainment do they like?
  • Crime patterns – What is the crime rate? Is it dangerous or safe? What is the attitude toward law enforcement?
  • Image in the rest of the world – What do outsiders think of your setting?
Psychological Environment 
  • Prevailing Viewpoints – How do they think and what kind of attitudes do they have? Are there trendsetters, and if so, what do they do?
  • Normal Behavior – What is considered normal behavior? What is considered to be deviant behavior?
  • Attitude Toward Differences – How do people respond to the differences? Are they tolerant or not? Do they welcome strangers?
  • Local legends and heroes - Who do people admire and why?
  • Emotional Impact – What kind of emotional impact does being in this place evoke in the natives and the visitors?
  • Personality – What key words would sum up the personality of the town?

This is not everything, but it is comprehensive enough to get you started.
These are just a few of the things that will help you get more familiar with your character and the setting they live in. Do they exist in more than one area? You need to be knowledgeable about each one. And, the more settings, the more possibilities for your story.

Assignment

Pick one of the exercises listed above. You do NOT need to answer all the questions. What new discoveries did you make regarding your characters? Did the exercise help you find new plot or subplot possibilities? In the past some people have changed the direction of the story with this exercise. The idea of this exercise is to make you more familiar with your character’s background. Their hometown and the influences there would shape your character. It may also add new dimensions of inner and outer conflict. This will give you a chance to find out how a reader will view your fictional town. Does it need more detail, or maybe even less? Are the people interesting? If you have specific questions, list them when you post your assignment. Try to keep your assignment between 500 and 1000 words.

 

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