[Grammar] Creating A Lead Character

[LJH]

The Chicken and the Egg = The Character and the Plot

 

Please know this from the get go, these tips are not cast in stone. Write the way you want. I am simply sharing my ideas to those who are willing to learn, especially novice writers...

It doesn't really matter which comes first. Both are equally important. Just as a story idea that fits a certain genre will define the character you create, so will character determine which story goals he or she decides to pursue.

 

Defining the Lead

What is the lead? He or she is your hero or heroine. A novel without a lead is like a movie without a star.

 

Sketch your lead by using this character list to help you start: (I have placed example responses)

 

CHARACTER TYPE: This is the role the character plays in the novel: LEAD, OPPOSITION (ANTAGONIST), CONFIDANT, LOVER,

My Response, MR : _LEAD

 

CONNECTION TO LEAD: The character's relationship to the lead

MR: _LEAD

 

STORY GOAL: Enter the goal you have defined here

MR: _{MY LEAD IS A GAY BILATERAL AMPUTEE ATHLETE WHO SUPPRESSES HIS GAYNESS BUT WILL EVENTUALLY COME OF AGE AFTER MEETING THE MAN OF HIS DREAMS}

 

GENDER

MR: _MALE

AGE Your genre, story idea, and goal will define the age of the character

MR: ₂₂

 

APPEARANCE Your target genre, story idea and goal will suggest the lead's appearance. He/ She must achieve certain goals and fill certain criteria

MR: HEIGHT _5'6

BODY TYPE - This could be tall, willowy, short, stocky, muscular, scrawny, handsome, sexy etc...MR: MUSCULAR WITH CHISELLED FACE and SQUARE JAW

HAIR COLOUR - _{SUNBLEACHED FAIR}

EYE COLOUR - _{BLUE TO GREY}

 

MANNERISMS Imagine your lead in action. How does he talk, walk and speak? How does he sit, stand, eat, drink? Does he gesticulate? Is he controlled? Does he smile, frown, laugh?

MR_{: NOT A GREAT TALKER, HE OBSERVES, MEASURES PEOPLE'S REACTIONS TO CERTAIN STIMULI. HE SITS CROSS LEGGED ALTHO HE DOESN'T LIKE TO SIT BECAIUSE OF HIS PROSTHETIC LEGS. STANDS AT EASE. HE EATS SLOWLY, CHEWS EVERY MOUTHFUL BEFORE SWALLOWING AND HE DRINKS GALLONS OF WATER. HE DOES NOT GESTICULATE FOR FEAR HE MIGHT MAKE A LIMP WRISTED MOVE AND PEOPLE MIGHT THEN LABEL HIM GAY. HE IS CONTROLLED IN THAT HE PLANS THINGS METICULOUSLY, FROM EXCERCISE TO MEALS.}

DISTINCTIVE SPEECH PATTERNS Imagine him speaking. What stands out? Does he speak well? Does he swear? Does he use cliche's? Does he have a recurring expression that he uses?

MR: A HUSKY, CONTROLLED VOICE. LIKES TO USE THE WORDS BIG GUY WITH THOSE PEOPLE WHOM HE LIKES. HARDLY EVER SWEARS BUT DOES. NEVER USES CLICHE'S.

 

PERSONALITY Incorporate these traits in your hero's personality -courage, virtue, competence, likeability.

MR: _{COURAGE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY. HE HAS AN ONGOING BATTLE WITH CONFIDENCE IN THAT HE ALWAYS COMES SECOND PLACE AND KNOWS HE CAN BEAT THE STAR OF THE TEAM BUT NEEDS ENCOURAGEMENT. HE IS A COMPETENT, QUIET PERSON AND ALTHO THERE ARE MANY WHO CAJOLE HIM FOR HIS HANDICAP, THERE ARE THOSE WHO ADMIRE AND LIKE HIM.}

 

BACKGROUND His geography, Family, Childhood, Educatio, Work

MR: _{HE IS SOUTH AFRICAN AND HAILS FROM THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS OF JOHANNESBURG. THE ONLY CHILD. MOTHER IS A CHAIN SMOKER AND FATHER IS AN ALCOHOLIC. AT THE AGE OF FIFTEEN HIS FATHER DROVE THE CAR OFF A MOUNTAIN PASS AND RESULTED IN THE LEAD HAVING BOTH LEGS AMPUTATEDAFTER THE CAR ROLLED OVER THEM. HE IS STUDYING SPORT SCIENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG AND WILL CONTINUE AS A PERSONAL TRAINER AFTER GRADUATION.}

 

PERSONAL LIFE Where does he live? In a flat? In a city? Who else lives there? What pets does he have? What are their names? Who are his friends? What are his hobbies? What does he do when he is alone.

MR: _{HE LIVES WITH HIS PARENTS IN THE SUBURB OF KENILWORTH ONE OF THE MORE POORER AREAS OF JOHANNESBURG. HE LIVES WITH HIS MOTHER AND FATHER AND DOES NOT OWN PETS. HIS FRIENDS ARE JEAN AND PATRICK, BOTH STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY. HE STUDIES WHEN HE IS ALONE.}

 

STRENGTH what is your lead's strongest positive trait? Examples; humour, loyalty, fairness, kindness, ingenuity, tolerance, discretion, adaptability

MR: _{HE LOVES HUMOUR BUT NOT WHEN HE'S AT THE BUTT END OF THE JOKE. HE IS LOYAL TO HIS FRIENDS, AND DOES NOT TOLERATE VIOLENCE. HE CAN BE DISCREET, HAVING LIVED WITH HIS SUPPRESSED GAYNESS FOR MANY YEARS.}

 

WEAKNESS What is his fatal flaw? envy? greed? narcissism, pride, selfishness, arrogance.

MR: _{HE FEARS COMING OUT. AFRAID HE WILL BE KICKED OFF THE TEAM AND DISOWNED BY HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.}

 

NAME Write the character's name here in CAPITAL LETTERS. Does it suit this person?

MR: _{KEEGAN MANSFIELD}

 

GUIDELINES FOR NAMING

Use source material

Consider his / her background

Consider the parents

Make sure the name was in fashion when the character was born.

Select a name that fits the personality

Would he choose a nicname or be given one?

Use different initials for all your character's names

Avoid names that end alike or similarly

vary name lengths and sounds

 

NEXT: The Opposition or ANTAGONIST