Week 3: Make Correct Character Assumptions
Chapter 11, pages 99-106
Do you know a type of person, who you have preconceived notions about?
If so, you need to beware if you write about that type of person. Maybe
older people you know sit around and watch TV. Does this mean all older
people sit and watch TV? In your mind maybe it does. However, many older
people lead active lives.
Why is this important? If you feel all older people have boring and
inactive lives, you may depict them this way in your writing. Your
reader may be familiar with seniors who travel, or work and they would
not be able to relate to a lifeless character. Your character may be
this way intentionally, if so, explain why. DO NOT MAKE GENERAL AND
UNSUBSTANTIATED ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT TYPES OR GROUPS OF PEOPLE. Your
assumptions may turn off a potential reader and possibly a prospective
agent.
Make sure your story explains why your character is a certain way. Your
writing can bring the reader to the right assumptions through providing
the right attitudes, thoughts, and reaction from the character.
When writing a scene think of what assumptions the reader will have to
make in order to agree with your work. List the assumptions and make
sure they are plausible. If not, then add further explanation.
This is another place where your classmates and study group partners are
helpful. If most agree with your picture you are probably on track. If
none of them agree, your work needs some polishing.
The most dangerous assumption of all – A character just like us, is
automatically interesting to the reader. This may be true, but it’s not
automatic. Creating a character to mirror ones self is much more
difficult than creating one from scratch. A writer would make all kinds
of assumptions and the reader would very likely not get the details to
make the character realistic.
A character who is much different from ourselves is easier to write. The
more differences the better. This character is distant from us and
therefore can be clearly outlined and described.
This chapter is very adequately summarized in the last paragraph –
“But do try to cultivate a feel for which of your assumptions about a
character are likely to be shared by most readers, and which will need
much supporting detail to render vividly. Knowing the difference can
greatly affect your success with characterization."
Assignments –
Write a short piece (500 words) to illustrate the point. Use an existing
work or a new idea.
1 – Include sufficient details to show the character clearly. Do NOT
rely on labels to define your characters. Let your words and
descriptions define them for you.
2 – If your character’s personality is radically different from the
norm, then you need to give the reader an explanation for these
differences. Make the character plausible to the reader.
3 – Fully flesh out a character who you model after yourself. We know
ourselves well enough that we could easily miss important details the
reader needs to know.
COPYRIGHT 2002 WRITOPIA INC. ALL RIGHTS
RESERVED
|