The Web Haunt of Ryan K Lindsay

Before tackling a project I think it is very important to get to know your character. If you were writing a biography you’d want to have a beer with that person, maybe even shadow them for a while, get to know their inflections, their likes and dislikes. You’d soak up everything you could, if you were a good writer, so as to know exactly what your person would do or think in any situation.

I feel that any story is a biography, just most of the time my people aren’t real. Doesn’t mean I can’t treat them with respect and take them for a metaphorical beer and a quiet Sunday pub sesh chat. I usually know their particulars, height, weight, age, and I know their family, but sometimes you have to dig a little deeper. Here are some conversation starters for your person to discuss with you. Each answer should be more of a story, it’s not an interview it’s a conversation.

-What is your first memory?
These things often blossom into great conversations about family, life, yellow balloons, you never know.
-What sort of wallet do you have?
One of my characters once shared my wallet, a stinkbrown special from the summer of 1998, and one that I still use today. I’ll get buried with this bad boy, and doesn’t that tell you something?
-Do you have any scars? How did you get them?
A good scar always leads to a good story and then you’ll know more about them. Make sure they’re not monosyllabic answers but florid passages of prose.
-What sort of kid were you at school?
This will give you an idea of the character and their personaility but also usually leads into one or two good stories, a la Roald Dahl’s Boy.
-What are your favourite movies/books/songs?
I believe in the power of a top ten list to define a person, or at least give you a very good silhouette of them. Really stop and let your characters answer this, and what they like about each thing, an actor’s performance, a great chorus line. You’ll know where they enjoy these things, who got them onto them, and what it all means to the person.
-How do you dress? Why?
This is judging a book by a cover, but it’s so often valid. People express themselves through their clothes and their inner message comes through, or at least tries to, so often in the garb they wrap themselves in.
-What do you normally carry on you?
You never know what you’ll find on someone. If you only find knives and lint then you know you have a problem. Fantastic bloody line, that was.
-What’s the drunkest you’ve ever been?
Not just to be a fratboy about it, but as an Aussie sometimes a real tell about a person is their answer to this question. Was a great ice-breaker at college and always yielded a funny story and gave you insight into that person, and a connection.
-What’s your hangover cure?
If you haven’t bonded through bleary eyes, pounding heads, Promite, greasy ass bacon, or more beer, then you haven’t really experienced the highs and the lows with someone.
-Who have been your real loves? In what situations have they affected you?
You’ve no doubt had a few ales now, you’ve talked about the fun stuff, time to get serious. Doesn’t more serious than love, in any of it’s guises. Knowing when, how, and why a person loved is powerful. It’s not to be messed with.
-Have you ever seen true violence? What did you do? How did it make you feel?
If they have seen true violence, possibly of the ultra variety, then it affects them in some way. Finding out how and why is interesting and makes for a sombre yet interesting back story.
-How do you cook?
Someone’s kitchen can tell you as much about them as their smile. Look into their cupboards, their dishes, their favourite meals. You’ll find all sorts lurking in the room of food.
-Where have you traveled? With anyone?
A trip away with someone is a good story, it’s also a window into a part of that person that you’d have to travel with to otherwise find out. People love to jetbrag, so let them run with it. I know my travels would paint a picture; an engagement in Venice to say the least.
-What does your bedroom look like?
Do I even need to explain why this is a pertinent question?
-When have you cried? Why?
Be prepared for how they tell this story, not just what they tell. Information in all sorts of nuances.
-What sort of vehicle do you drive?
Then segue into what they have in there, tiny little treasures of info.
-Do you keep a journal?
It’s okay to ask about it, but usually not to read it. Imagine if you just got your journal and sent it to a random name in the phone book. Holy crap, that’s a cool idea, I call shotgun on it. That could totally work. I love having journals in my writing.

These are just some questions. You can always stray off, and a good pub chat always varies from the prepared cards from the morning. If your notes are going well, then go for it, but otherwise drop one of these bombs and see what you get back. It’s a fun exercise and always works for me. If you have any better questions feel free to comment them, these ones seem weighted to things that the character has, but I always expect my character to not just list but to talk, to stray, and having an object start the train of thought works for me. I hope this has helped; helped at least one person.

Posted on November 16th, 2009 by ryan
Filed under: movies, Writing