Building Character
Before I launch into today's post, let me take this opportunity to make an announcement. Two days ago, at the bottom of page 316, I typed the words, "The End." My novel is finished. And let me hasten to add, I'll have no unruly conduct among editors clamoring for a chance at acquisition. Please form a single file line, wrapping around the corner if necessary. Thank you for your cooperation.
Oh, man. I crack myself up.
As I was saying, some people believe in reincarnation. If they're right, we all experience multiple lives on earth, with each presenting an opportunity to reach the exalted state of Montana. Or is it Nirvana? Something like that. Anyway, being of the persuasion that we get only one shot at this earth gig, I'm living all my lives simultaneously. And in one of them, I'm a professional choreographer.
Right now I'm having way too much fun working with a local university's theatre department on the musical, She Loves Me. The actors are talented, dedicated, and cooperative. The director is upbeat, insightful, and funny. The work environment is pure bliss. Sort of like Nirvana, only with brighter lights.
Just as one would expect, spending extended amounts of time in this exalted, well-lit atmosphere has led to a certain degree of enlightenment. In this case, the revelation involves character development--something essential to writing, which I do in one of my other lives, so the insight finds a warm welcome among my several selves.
This is what I've observed. When the actors first began rehearsal, they were still "on book" (i.e., reading their lines) and didn't really know their characters at all. For some of them, the person they are in real life bears no resemblance to the person they've set out to play. So they're having to channel attitudes, mannerisms, tones of voice--whatever it takes to embody a character whose experiences they've never tasted.
The director aids them in this process by taking them through various drills. Sometimes he has them walk randomly around the stage in character, and when they make eye contact with another actor, they have to connect in some fashion. I've been watching this process, fascinated by the slow transformation taking place as they own their roles.
One young woman in particular plays a sexy, been-around-the-block, thirty year old. In reality she's a sweet Christian college girl. She approached me early on about developing body language for her character. We worked on her walk, her resting "pose," the tilt of her head, the look in her eye. Over time she's morphed from the Sandy at the beginning of Grease to the Sandy at the end. (I hope her parents don't sue me.)
It's amazing how much difference a single quirk can make, becoming like a hole in the dike, releasing a rushing torrent of personality that ultimately fills in all the empty spaces. I couldn't help but think about how characters grow and develop through the writing process. When we've gotten pretty far along in a story, we go back and read our first chapters and think, "What's this? Myrtle wouldn't be caught dead in green, snakeskin cowboy boots!" We get to know them, and their thoughts and feelings and motivations begin to flow through us, just like an actor's must if he wants to be believable.
About motivation. The director sometimes stops a scene and says something like, "Why'd you get up and run out of the room? It's not enough that the script tells you to. I need to see your motivation."
Isn't that true in writing as well? It's not enough that the plot we've constructed demands certain behaviors from our characters. If the reader doesn't get the motivation, the action rings false.
I often say I love my life. Perhaps I should say "lives" instead. But the cool thing about all the hats I wear is they broaden my perspective while providing multiple outlets for creativity. Life is one big glorious laboratory, gang. And we get to be the mad scientists who take all the random pieces lying around and construct characters that live on a page. Okay. Maybe a Frankenstein metaphor isn't the best, but you get the point.
Hang out with your characters today, my fine writer friends. Watch them walk. Listen to their accents. Find out what motivates them. Then put them in the spotlight, and let them dance.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Here at The Master's Artist we welcome your comments on individual posts, or please feel free to strike up a conversation at our message board. If you're interested in stalking one of my selves, you can track me (us?) down here or here. We don't bite, unless you're dark chocolate.
Comments