AIMING FOR THE KEEPER SHELF
How to Create Dynamic Characters
Copyright Mia Zachary 2002, 2003

Presented with Melissa James to the Romance Writers of America July 19, 2003

Picture Emma Editor. She spent the entire morning in staff meetings, then worked through her lunch hour judging contest entries, signing contracts, talking to agents and handling her current authors. Now she has to tackle the proposals cluttering her desk. She’s tired, overwhelmed and she has to leave in 2-3 hours to pick up her kids from daycare.

With limited time and a dwindling attention span, Emma Editor has to be dazzled by your writing; otherwise she’s going to toss partial manuscript aside. So what’s going to give you a shot at engaging Emma’s interest? A compelling story and, more importantly, dynamic characters.

Characters are not just cardboard figures to be moved through your plot. When we do our jobs well, our characters come to life and the reader will perceive them as real people whose choices and decisions are the story.

Think about the books on your keeper shelf. What's the first thing you remember the instant your fingers touch the cover? I'll bet it's the characters. Because they're not just characters- they're people, old friends that you laugh with, cry with and cheer for.

To create dynamic characters, you have to know them better than you know yourself. We don’t always know why we do things, but it’s imperative that we understand what drives the people in our stories. For this, you need to have a basic understating of human nature.

Birth Order-

            First Borns- responsible, hard working, capable
            Second/ Middle Borns- peacemakers, negotiators
            Youngest Borns- charming, immature, irresponsible
            Only Children- blend of First and Last born, magnify the traits of both

Dominant Perceptions- the way a character views their world

            Visually attuned- notice expressions and body language
            Auditory learner- nuances, tone of voice, background noises

Dominant Attitude - the manner and mind-set the character most often displays.

Dreamers- exaggerate, broad spectrum, analogies
            Observers- analyze, stand back and stick to facts

Core Beliefs-

            Shape everything that happens, becomes the context through which we view ourselves and our world. Motivate and dictate our actions and reactions. Influenced by birth order, family structure and dynamics and traumatic events. Each time life offers a choice or presents an obstacle, your character will follow their core belief unless there is a catalyst for change.

Individual Priorities-

            Excellence- very demanding of self
            Comfort- not very demanding of anyone
            Pleasing- other people are demanding of them
            Control- demanding of others
            One trait may be dominant, but they cross over and mingle

Conflict Resolution-

            Avoidance- emotionally or even physically withdraw
            Competition-overpower opponents, use force or intimidation
            Compromise-look for rational solutions
           Accommodation- sacrifice goal to protect relationship
           Collaboration- look for ways for everyone to win

Enneagram- a diagram of personality traits  (see  http://www.9types.com)