Plot and Characterization

For centuries, people are debating about the characters of Ramayana and Mahabharta that they actually existed. In the contemporary fiction, people think that Malgudi is located somewhere in south India. This is because the characterization was such beautifully sculpted that it looks real and God knows could really be.

Whatever the truth is but to make your story success your characters should look real. Observe people and create your characters like them. The best way could be – while outlining your character’s personality trait, visualize someone from your friends and family circle. Start building your characters and keep molding them as per your story’s need. Readers connect with the real characters and care for them. Writer’s motive should be to achieve reader’s empathy for his characters. 

Here are few points to help craft a character:

Start naming your character that matches the role and it should be as per the era to which story belongs. For instance, Natasha can be apt name for an urban girl working in fashion industry and living in Mumbai. The details can be further divided in two parts: External physical appearance and internal personality trait.

The character might have a reason for his name. How old he is. What he actually does or used to do for his living. Is he frail or have a well-built physique. Write on complexion, color of his eyes and hair. Write about Parents details including occupation. Write the details about siblings if any. Think about other important details and include in your story. 

The other important details are about his hopes, dreams, fear, family values, having special reverence or grudges for someone etc. This character will have strengths and weaknesses, hidden talent, introvert or extrovert, mysteries of his life, unfulfilled desires and religious background etc.

Remember not to expose all these details at once. Try to reveal slowly in scenes as story moves. 

Many times personality traits are revealed in flashbacks and interior monologues. Try to align the scenes with the desires of the characters, even better if they are mutually conflicting.      

Seeds of thoughts:

Write down the names of your family members and then describe their physical appearances along with internal personality traits. Try to include neighbors as the story propagates. Describe the surrounding; the nearby temple, park and market of your locality. Don’t forget to write about the Neem or Peepal tree. Describe about people’s hidden talents and hidden desires. Try to include details and make them real as they are.

- Amit Roop