Adding some Depth
Not long ago, I sat at the railway station, staring at the “next train in” clock and playing with my ticket. I usually dislike riding the trains alone, but sometimes you have to do things you don’t like to get things done. This time, however, was my first time taking the trains alone after a disastrous line of train-related events occurred the first time I took the trains alone.
I was sitting on a long bench and it was midday during the week, so the platform wasn’t too crowded.
A guy about my age, complete with collar, wrist cuffs, and other spiked and/or chain accessories sat down on the opposite end of the bench I sat on. Being a normal human being, I instantly made a number of adjustments and passed him off as another of the punk types.
Just to remind me to stop making such instant judgments, the guy soon got out a book and started reading. When I looked closer, I realized he was reading the bible.
My previous judgments adjusted to this new information and my writer mind came to the front, delighting at the much unexpected, character-defining action.
This sort of thing incorporated into your writing could add much needed depth into your characters. Like I enjoyed being surprised by my previous judgments being changed because of one thing, your readers will enjoy being surprised by your characters. (As long as you pull it off with good reasons that make sense.)
A word of caution, though: In adding depth to your characters, be careful not to do things that have been used many times over already like the vampire with a soul and ‘the smart jock’.
November 30th, 2007 at 2:57 am
Great surprise about the young man! I agree with your character development advice here. I write fiction and spend a lot of time getting to know my characters. A flat character in a novel is the same as a shallow person in real life - of no real interest to anyone. Nice post.
December 3rd, 2007 at 4:37 am
It was quite the surprise and I’ve never forgotten him since.
A flat character can provide no chemistry, which can kill your book.
Thank you for stopping by.