Character 101 - Basic building

Finally back from my slumber with more posting about everyone's favorite subject - Writing. And my favorite writing related subject - Characters.
There have been many words spent on how people create and develop characters. And, surprise, surprise, I deal with it too. There might be literature without characters, but I don't remember reading any, at least recently (might have in school).
So, how do you do it? Does the character come first and then the story or does the story create the character? I can only give you my thoughts - tell you how I do it.

1. The chicken or the egg?
What came first? The character or the story around him/her?
Well, in my case...both. The first characters I created didn't have a story. I mean, sure, they had a background and traits and physical existence - but there was no plot, no path for them to follow. So, I gave them one. I built a world and a story just for them. Of course, what they go through builds and changes them and the normal "writing" process takes its course.
For my next stories, I had the plot in mind. So I created characters to fit the action. For me, it works both ways. But...

2. How do I do it?
Everyone must have a method for spawning imaginary people/creatures. Mine goes a little something like this: physical traits, name, personality, evolution, result.

a. Physical appearance.

Oh, I'm pretty cheap with this. I'll only give you hair and eye color, height (as in tall or short - if I don't mention it, it's normal height), general built (skinny, fat, athletic, average) and other character's thoughts about them to show how others perceive them.
On hair and eye color, I'm usually prolific: my characters are blond, brunette, redheads and even have two MCs with orange hair(as is Publish Post button orange). Also, the hair texture is different: straight, curly, wavy - I don't really have girls with short hair - I usually give them long hair.
Also, my male MCs tend to have jet black hair. Not sure why.
Examples of how I do it:

Example 1: His broad, well-built frame was so still, he could’ve been a statue
Critter comment: what makes him well built? This is subjective, because to susie homemaker, this could mean a pale thin dude, while to frisky misty this couild mean muscular shoulders, thick neck, and biceps that look like a python that just swallowed a softball.

My point exactly - I give one trait and, depending on who you are, you imagine the character in a certain way. I don't want to influence the reader's perception - they should imagine the character the way they want to, using the few guidelines I give. This way, the reader creates part of the character themselves, and tend to be more attached to them. At least that's what I'm going for.
Also, the python thing is a trademark of my great critter. *smiley face*

Example 2:
“Sam, this is my friend Christine. Christine, this is Sam.” She pointed from on to the other. “Boyfriend material.” She winked at Christine. “Didn’t I tell you? Gorgeous green eyes. Tall, well built, athletic, extremely handsome. Not to mention he’s a genius and very sweet.”
Sam stared from Gorgeous Girl…Christine, to Lisa. “What are you doing?”
“Showing you off. I’ve been yearning to rub you in Christine’s face forever.”

This is how other characters see the character. So the reader could take Lisa's word for it, or not. It's up to them to create the image.


b. Name


How do you name characters? I first imagine how they look inside my head and then go over all the names that come to mind until I find one that seems to fit with who I want this character to be and what they look like. I tend to go for simple, easy to read names, for one simple reason. I don't bother reading complicated names. I tend to take a mental photo of how they look on the page and recognize them when I come across them. I guess this makes me a lazy reader. But, honestly, I didn't bother to care how to pronounce Hermione's name until book 4 taught me how to ;)
So, I write characters for other lazy readers, such as myself.
I do come up with the average cookie name (ignore nicknames which can verge on the retarded). Examples of my most "original" names: Freider, Mizrelle, Skye and Truby. I know, I should have my mind checked.
After I finally settle on a first name that I like, I roll around last names until I find the one that fits with the first name. I don't claim to be very good at those. I usually go for over simplistic names.
I give my characters middle names if they're relevant - I do have a few with middle names. I use the same procedure as for all the other names a pick.


c. Personality


Okay, so I have a face and a name. Why did I create this character? I want him to be the MC, so let's fill him up with flaws he/she will be able to correct by the end of their adventure. They do have their good sides - check above example. 
I tend to make my characters smart and play a lot on their logic sides. I like drawing up characters that don't seem all that bright at first, but then come up with an ingenious ideas. Because  not all people want to be smartasses.
I also start off with one basic trait and evolve around that to create a full personality. Also, give them a significant event in their past that tends to hold them back - and I'm not talking major drama - something very small could do the trick - like a fight between their parents who are now a happy couple. Stuff like that. Give them something to overcome and grow.


d. Evolution


Most important when developing a character, I think. Where are they and where will they go from there? How will they grow? What will they overcome? And, especially, how will it influence their personality.
Whenever I write, I usually go for smooth transitions - my characters don't tend to spin 180 in a matter of days. They might find some hidden courage or finally do something they were trying no to.
I do have a character turn planned for a future book - I think it's going to be tough one, and I'll have to plan it through really well. Stuff like this is easy to mess up. And I want to keep it realistic.


e. Result


So, the book is over. Where is the character now? Are they still at the starting point? Well, there's obviously something wrong with that picture then. The reader usually has expectations from the character (I personally do - I even tend to start screaming at them if they're not moving in the direction I want them to). If they're not fulfilled, they might be disappointed. And no writer wants to leave a reader disappointed.
When I submitted the last chapter of my novel for critique, I asked my readers if they thought the characters had evolved - fortunately for me, they all said yes. And also mentioned that they were less annoying now. Which I took as a good sign.


3. I have my character. Now what?


Congratulations! You've just created a real live person - well, kinda. Give it some trials, a significant other, an arch enemy and some traitorous allies while your at it. At least that's what I do in all my books so far. Not that I wrote many.


So, how do you do it? Share your thoughts and point out my shortcoming. I always enjoy that. 

N00b advice you never knew you needed

Going through some writing and crits today, I just realized how much I've changed in my one year of critting. When I first started this business, I was a rebel, claiming that I'm all about the plot line. If you have a good plot, I'll read and love and worship your book. Boy, am I eating my words now (they kinda taste like cookies).

N00b tip #1 -Form over content.


Your content is smashing! I see your idea in there and I love it - I want to fondle it and give it cake. But I can't. Because reading over texts without proper punctuation, paragraphing and grammar is exhausting. Critting them is even more exhausting. That's why I personally try to proof my own writing. If a story flows well, it's much easier for me to focus on the content. So take the time to purge your work and then let your ideas shine.


N00b tip #2 - Commas, people!

Oh, yes. I forget the odd one, like everyone else. Plus, I have different comma rules in my language (no comma after and like EVA!) But I'm getting the hang of it. I even got the title of Comma Queen from my good critting friend, The Regulator.
The thing is, I know, it's a small dotty thing, but it can make all the difference in the world.

 Example: (no comma) She snapped her neck creaking in protest.
(comma) She snapped, her neck creaking in protest.
 I tried to go for an extreme example which makes no sense just to show you the big difference between comma and no comma - if you don't give her the comma, the poor woman snaps her neck (OUCH!).

N00b tip #3 - Comma two

There is the word 'but' - you all know it. I know you type it butt, have a giggle and then delete the second t (actually, I do that with assess - I love to leave the last s out)
80% of times, there should be a comma before but. The rest of 10%, there shouldn't.

Example (when but needs a comma): She rushed towards the wall, but changed her mind before she got there. Hitting her head would hurt like hell.
(no comma needed by the but) She couldn't help but think about it. Hitting her head would really hurt.

Now, notice that in the first example, you could kinda replace the but with a yet - when that happens, it needs a comma. And with that I rest my case.

N00b tip #4 - Para, para, param-pam

Ever noticed how distracting it is to have a huge paragraph to read? (I should know, my textbooks are full of them) You just look at it, groan and refuse to read it if you don't really have to. So, yeah - unless you really have to, try to keep your paragraphs the length you stand to read.
Ever noticed how distracting little snippets of text are - having more than 2 one line paragraphs in the row will kill me. I can't take anything choppy seriously - you either have something to say or you're sending me a telegram. Fill it up with...something! If the idea is not important enough to warrant a few sentences, maybe it's not important enough. (Remember that I'm referring to too many short paras in row - a couple are just fine)

N00b tip #5 - He did this, she did that

I won't get into repetitive sentence structure here, because that's a pretty tough one. It takes a while and practice to learn how to balance your short and long sentences and their beginnings. Though I'll give an example.


Example 1: He picked up the knife and put it on the table. He took the glass and placed it in the sink. He then whipped around and walked out of the room. - What's wrong with this you may ask? He did this and that, he did this and that, then he did this and that -> same structure gets the drool running.

Example 2: He dropped the knife on the table and the glass in the sink before walking out of the room. - look, I made it a whole sentence (which is not much better), but I got rid of the repetitive structure.

Example 3: He picked up the knife and placed it on the table with shaking hands. He reached out for the glass and, trying not to smash it, put it in the sink. Whipping around, he left the room. -> putting more detail would distract readers from repetitive structures.

N00b tip #6 - The lone word syndrome

Okay, I just made this one up - What I mean is when we start consecutive sentences and paragraph with the same word. That's usually a big no-no in the wizarding writing world.

Example (excerpt from Sapphire): [He turned on the flashlight and knocked on the floorboards until he found the ones that sounded as if there was nothing under them. He took them out and pulled out a large backpack. He then put the floorboards back, turned off the flashlight, put it back at the foot of the bed and crawled out from under the bed. He put the backpack on his desk and opened it up. He started getting stuff out of it: guns, gas bombs, binoculars, goggles, ammo and other such things. He finally settled on a radar-looking thing and started pressing the buttons on it.]

This is totally unedited (yes, I still have unedited texts), but it's a great example. He, he, he, he - terrible - very distracting. Same thing with the start of paragraphs. 


N00b tip #7 - The forbidden words


One thing I'm still trying to break myself from (but it will take a while, since I need a lot of editing time for that) is using POV verbs when in close POV.
POV verbs such as:  felt, saw, noticed, realized, smelled, hoped, considered.
Example: She felt a freezing wind chill her skin. - this could very well be: Freezing wind chilled her skin. - and I cut back on some words too - I really must work on this. 
I guess this one tip is actually a bit more advanced.


This is all I could think of, off the top of my head. Everyone is welcomed to join in and complete the list. Material for N00b tips chapter 2.