Shelley, as a fellow reader and writer, I care tremendously about each character’s authenticity. My character bible sounds similar to yours. But if I could only know a single thing about my characters’ backstories, it would be the answer to this question: “What is their secret—the one thing he/she doesn’t want anyone to ever find out?”
Discovering a character’s deepest secret unlocks their essence. It’s like finding the hidden key to their soul. These unspoken and concealed secrets shape their motivations, fears, and vulnerabilities.
And you’re right—sometimes these secrets remain veiled, known only to us, the creators, as we weave our narratives.
I love this Laurie. It makes me think that the secret can be either something they think/feel or something they've done or something done to them. A secret can derive from shame or also from honor, if they are protecting someone else by keeping the secret.
As a writer, I go deep, collecting similar things you mention. I do one-on-one interviews with a variety of individuals. All the while I’m doing research I am eager to dive in. But the research fuels the story. I need it to write an opening that leads to more story. Still, I do sometimes dive in to writing the story just to appease my impatience. Which means I probably have to change the opening at least once.
As a reader, I look for details and characterization that flows into mannerisms, etc.
I need to try the Enneagram system. Is there a place where I can get it without having to sign up for something? It seems like when I try these kinds of things, they end up wanting payment. Maybe I shouldn't be so cheap and pay, LOL.
Shelley, as a fellow reader and writer, I care tremendously about each character’s authenticity. My character bible sounds similar to yours. But if I could only know a single thing about my characters’ backstories, it would be the answer to this question: “What is their secret—the one thing he/she doesn’t want anyone to ever find out?”
Discovering a character’s deepest secret unlocks their essence. It’s like finding the hidden key to their soul. These unspoken and concealed secrets shape their motivations, fears, and vulnerabilities.
And you’re right—sometimes these secrets remain veiled, known only to us, the creators, as we weave our narratives.
I love this Laurie. It makes me think that the secret can be either something they think/feel or something they've done or something done to them. A secret can derive from shame or also from honor, if they are protecting someone else by keeping the secret.
As a writer, I go deep, collecting similar things you mention. I do one-on-one interviews with a variety of individuals. All the while I’m doing research I am eager to dive in. But the research fuels the story. I need it to write an opening that leads to more story. Still, I do sometimes dive in to writing the story just to appease my impatience. Which means I probably have to change the opening at least once.
As a reader, I look for details and characterization that flows into mannerisms, etc.
Keep up the good work!
I need to try the Enneagram system. Is there a place where I can get it without having to sign up for something? It seems like when I try these kinds of things, they end up wanting payment. Maybe I shouldn't be so cheap and pay, LOL.