Developing Unique Characters – Its The Little Things That Count!

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When I think about the art of characterization, a great way to wrap your head around it is to think of the little things great actors do in the portrayal of classic characters. Although the medium of cinema has very different challenges when trying to present unforgettable characters, its use of visual devices can serve as an analogy.

Take for instance, the incredible Japanese actor, Toshiro Mifune, particularly under the direction of Akira Kurosawa. In the classic movies Yojimbo and Kagemusha, Mifune consistently used his hands around his head in ways that told volumes about his character. Beard and face rubbing, and in Yojimbo, scratching at his head, accentuated his exterior toughness, not just in the movement itself, but how it was done.

In Kagemusha, there is a scene where he places his head in his hands, stroking his beard with a distracted sadness, which at the same time suggested power and decisiveness. These little things where character defining. And personally, I think the rough gestures around the body’s most vulnerable area, the head, was suggestive of just that; an inner vulnerability.

Now back to writing!

The use of gestures like this may capture a momentary glimpse into the character’s psyche (“as the exchanged words gained heat, he tugged lightly as his tie. She stepped backed as if he were about to let loose an angry animal”).

In cinema, this action might be used several times to subtly signal the audience to a predictable response. In writing, it is a challenge to use something like a gesture more than once without the audience becoming aware of the purpose of its inclusion. However, a group of gestures such as looking at one’s reflection, smoothing the hair, descriptions of attention to dress, can accomplish the same goal (When he finished speaking, she stopped before the display window, carefully reapplying her lipstick. Looking at his reflection, she sighed, “Whatever…”).

Another classic technique for developing intriguing characters is integrating unexpected or inconsistent traits or actions. An easy example would be using stereotypical archetypes and throwing in a twist. (Sister Maria Concepcion pointed at me with nicotine stained fingers. Her tangy breath accompanied words that provided no comfort. Instead, I found myself strangely distracted with wonderings of whether I put the Absolut in the freezer before I left.)

Writing Prompt!!!

Write a paragraph or two using a character stereotype. Use unexpected traits to create a unique scene. Subtlety is the key, unless the passage is intended to be comedic.

Submit and share your work…we can all learn together! Email me your work on the writing prompt (noirlecroi@noirlecroi.com) or post it in the comments!

Tags: "creative writing", "Developing fictional characters", "writing prompt", "writing tips"