Tips for Connecting with Your Character

**You don’t have to do all of these, but you never know what will knock loose the connection to character that you’re looking for.**

• If your character found $5 in her pocket, what would she do with it?
  • What if it was $50?
  • What about $500?
• Take him or her shopping.
  • What does he buy? Does he grab the first thing he sees or does he window shop?
• Give your character a camera.
  • What does he take pictures of? What does that reveal about him?
• Where would he want to eat while you’re out and about?
• Make a playlist
  • What music do you listen to while writing?
  • What music does your character listen to?
  • Do you need different music for different series?
  • Does your character’s music choice change depending upon what he/she is doing?
• Hang out in a public place and observe people but look at them through the eyes of your character. Who and what does he notice? Why?
  • How will this change if the character is trying to fit in someplace new?
  • If they’re suffering a loss or an illness?
  • If they’re a spy?
• If you write in third person, write a paragraph/page/chapter in first person.
  • This will allow you to actually become the character.
  • Do this for each character if necessary.
• Have your character write a letter.
• What would she say to her mom/dad/best friend/ex-best friend/the teacher who gave her a D on her French final?
  • What if that D was the best thing to ever happen to her?
• Ask the character what they want, or some other question you’re trying to get the answer for, and using a stream of consciousness, write down their response.
• Have another character describe your character. (NOT a physical description. What kind of person are they? What are they like?)
  • How does the description change if it’s her mother/father/grandmother/best friend/boyfriend/teacher/pastor/coach?
  • How does the character describe himself or herself?
• Does your character have a tell?
  • Eye twitch when nervous?
  • Duck lips when lying?
  • Rub their neck when hiding something?
• Gossip about your character – by yourself, with a writer friend, or have other characters do this.
  • For example, Desiree is totally in love with her boss, she just won’t admit it.
• How does he/she pack for vacation?
  • Roll everything into neat tubes?
  • Throw everything in and deal with wrinkles later?
  • Don’t bother, buy new stuff when they get there?
• How do they open a present?
  • Do they pick at the tape taking care not to rip the paper so it can be reused?
  • Do they tear in with glee?
  • Do they stare at the box like it might explode?
• Interview your character and ask revealing questions.
  • What is her biggest secret?
    • What truth would she rather die over than have revealed?
    • What would make her confess that secret?
    • What would she do to prevent someone from revealing it?
  • What scares him?
  • What terrifies him?
  • What is something your character claims they would never say?
    • What would make them say it?
    • What is something he would never think?
      • What would make them think it?
  • What is she dying to do?
    • What is she dying to avoid?
  • What would she do if she wanted revenge?
• How does she handle authority?
  • Is she compliant or does she step on the gas when she sees those flashing lights in her rearview mirror?
  • Does she want to be the authority?
• Read widely.