I got stuck on a character's motivation for a month, then tried writing their grocery list.

Suddenly their whole personality clicked when I realized they'd buy the expensive mustard but the store-brand bread. Anyone have weird tricks to flesh out a flat character?

3 comments

3 Comments

xenam8418d ago

Love that grocery list trick! Try writing their text message history with a parent or best friend. You'll see how they lie, what they avoid, and the weird inside jokes they have. It forces you into their casual voice and shows their hidden loyalties. I once figured out a whole side character just by drafting their angry Yelp reviews.

hannahj4918d ago

Oh man, @xenam84, that Yelp review idea is genius. I once wrote a fake argument in a character's notes app and it totally changed their whole vibe for me.

julias4418d ago

Oh wow, that grocery list trick is SO real. I do something like that but with their internet search history. It shows you their secret worries and weird hobbies. @xenam84 is totally onto something with the text messages, that's a great way to hear their voice. The search history just adds that layer of what they're too embarrassed to ever say out loud. It's how I found out my "tough" character was secretly looking up how to care for a rescued baby squirrel.