Author Graeme Kinross-Smith developed questions for fiction writers to answer on behalf of the characters they create. Details are in his book “WRITER – a working guide for new writers”, Oxford Uni Press, Melbourne. Tutor Joan Rosier-Jones adapted these for New Zealand writers.
- How do they speak? How does their voice sound? Do they have peculiar speech patterns?
- Do they have a sense of humour? What makes them laugh?
- What are the six activities they most enjoy?
- What do they most fear?
- How do they feel about each parent?
- How – at present – do they regard their own death?
- How do they react to the death of a friend? Or to a stranger’s death?
- What are their six most important educative experiences?
- What are their major faults?
- What actions are they morally incapable of performing?
- What part does sex play in their lives? Openly or secretive?
- Which of their achievements give them most pride?
- Who are their mentors? Why these people?
- How do others see them?
- Are they compassionate? Are they cynical?
- What characteristics do they dislike in others?
- What are the most important things to them?
- How idealistic are they?
- How tolerant are they?
- How do they regard learning new information, knowledge and wisdom?
- How important is food to them?
- How materialistic are they?
- What do they consider to be the meaning of life?
- In what situations have they acted with moral courage?
- How impulsive are they?
- Have they travelled widely? Where to? Did they live there?
- Are they physically active?
- How do they dress? Casual? Height of fashion? Grunge?
- What do they consider the most dangerous ideas in the world?
- What is the most hopeful thing happening in their world?
- Do they work at changing themselves or their behaviour?
- How are they going to change?
- Do they contribute to society? In what way/s?
- How many close friends do they have? How long for?
- How do they regard ageing?
- How involved are they with their family – immediate and extended?
- Do they make up their minds easily? Do they change their mind just as easily?
- Who in their circle do they most dislike? Why?
- What do they dream about?
- Who in their circle do they most admire? Why?
These questions are prompts. Ask yourself others about the life and times of your characters. For instance, a cowboy or farmer would have a gun. Handgun or rifle? Calibre? Brand or make? New or family hand-me-down?
Answer these questions about yourself too. “Physician heal thyself” is wise advice from the Bible. “Writer know thyself ” applies equally!
By Graeme Kinross-Smith & Joan Rosier-Jones. Reproduced for Educational Purposes.
