Comments on Creating characters - part one

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Talion, that's interesting.  I always come up with a character or characters first (along with a basic idea of a plot) and then flesh the story out around the characters, using them as the central focus.  I've always been all about characters over plot.  I think if your characters are developed enough, the plot will evolve as the characters progress through the story.

I think I tried coming up with everything else first and then doing the characters, but I didn't like the result.  Again, I'm obsessed about characters!  If you want to see awesome character developement, either read the play for Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet or watch the movie.  The characters totally overshadow the plot and I think it makes it more interesting.

posted by roofpig on October 28, 2004 at 12:32 PM | link to this | reply

I come up with the basic plot first, the problem that needs to be resolved. from there, I think about what kind of obstacles the protagonist will face and how he/she could get overcome them. The characters are then created to fill these roles. Once I know what role they will have, motivations, goals, and ambitions are already defined. Determining how they look is also easier. If the character will pose a physical obstacle, one that will be overcome through violence (I write crime fiction), naturally he/she will have to be physically imposing, etc. Actually creating my characters is the easiest part. Naming them is where I stumble. 

posted by Talion on October 28, 2004 at 12:17 PM | link to this | reply