Discover your character and his/her voice through writing exercises.
I remember the first real writing course I took, which was through the Institute of Children’s Literature. For one assignment, I had to observe children, pick one, and then show his character through internal thoughts.
I chose an exuberant boy I watched on a school playground, one who jumped from one activity to another. For a beginning writer, it was difficult to convey his energy through only his thoughts when he was grounded to his room. But as I got into his psyche, it got easier.
When I want to get to know a characters now, what they think and how they sound, I still go back to that writing exercise. Sometimes I lock them in a room, but they can also express themselves while window shopping, pouring innermost thoughts out to a friend, or thinking while they wash dishes.
Not only do I find out what they think and feel about things, I can work out their language and what’s important to them along the way. Check out my writing exercise article for ideas and then get to work discovering your character!
