Creating Characters (14 page)

Doesn't want: delusion, dishonesty, dogmatism, fallaciousness, inaccuracy, misconceptions, misinterpretation, uncertainty, vagueness.

If the character wants to be victorious, in what way can he accomplish it? On the battlefield? In the boardroom? In an athletic game? If the desire is born out of a rivalry, will one victory be enough for the character? But if he sees victory as the sweet act of revenge, who will be the victim? And what will happen if victory is not realized?

Doesn't want: defeat, injustice.

If the character wants to be virtuous himself, is it merely a wish, or does he sincerely strive to achieve that end? Or does he merely want others to view him as virtuous? What does he do in the name of virtue? Does he, for example, see himself as virtuous and thus want someone else to become so as well? Possibly a spouse? A member of his family? Also, because the path to virtue is often harsh and is traveled only by those who, metaphorically, take it upon themselves to wear hair shirts, will the seeker of virtue have a clear view of other people's shortcomings and be unable to see his own? Will this cause him to become a meddler in the lives of other people? (The extent to which this meddling takes place will be dependent upon the extent of power he holds.) And what will happen if the virtue he desires for himself or someone else is not forthcoming?

Doesn't want: misconduct, vice.

If the character wants to be young again, why does he? Does he associate youth with idealism? Optimism? A time free of pain, disappointment, and sadness? Does he pine for the time when he was physically vigorous, resilient, attractive? Free of wrinkles, brown blotches, and gray hair? Will his desire cause him to try to dress and act young? Pile on makeup and dye his hair? Will his craving for youth cause him to do some rather foolish things and, as a result, make him appear ridiculous in the eyes of others? And what will happen when his youth does not return? On the other hand, what will happen if he is, quite miraculously, young again?

Doesn't want: old age.

Everyone has something he likes or doesn't like. A character may like streetcars and Van Gogh paintings, while at the same time he may dislike poodles, talking on the telephone, and anything in the color blue. These little revelations by themselves will certainly not create the basis for an interesting fictional character, but if added to his larger internal and external traits, as well as what he wants and needs—much as one might add spices to soup for the purpose of enhancing the flavor—they offer the promise of helping to add just a little extra dimension.

A character can like hot dogs, and no explanation is needed beyond that. However, in some cases it may not be enough to simply let the reader or viewer know that a character likes or dislikes something, because the audience will want to know why. For example, it will not be sufficient to let it be known that a character hates parades and simply let it go at that. How could anyone possibly hate a parade? On those occasions, of course, the writer will insert the
why,
and so we may learn that the character marched in hundreds of parades when he was in the army and, as a result, has developed an aversion to them, even if he sees them on television. This is just one example of how a dislike can reveal something significant about the character. It is up to the author to decide when to give a reason for a character's likes and dislikes.

The writer might also play upon the character's
indifference,
that barren terrain that lies between like and dislike. If, say, one character likes Thanksgiving or dislikes baseball, imagine the frustration when someone else, in a shrug of indifference, doesn't have an opinion one way or another.

Now, it would be futile to attempt to list every possible thing that fictional characters might like or not like. Instead, what follows is a listing of several major categories and some attending questions. Perhaps something you find here will inspire you to add a little dash of color to one of your characters. Perhaps that dash will in turn help to further illuminate your character's nature in your own mind.

You may not find what you are looking for here, but something may put you on the right road to discovering it.

Perhaps the character has developed an attachment to any of the following: big front porches, screened-in patios, dusty attics, balconies with a view, big fireplaces, real wood paneling, interesting alcoves, white picket fences, flower boxes, featherbeds, round kitchen tables, walk-in closets, window seats, chandeliers, candleholders, French doors, winding staircases, or Venetian blinds. Maybe he likes or dislikes doilies, plastic-covered furniture, wall-to-wall carpeting, overhead cupboards, telephones, end tables, hassocks, rollaway beds, bunk beds, loveseats, recliners, or linoleum.

Does the character like animals? If so, what kind? The usual kind, such as dogs, cats, birds, or horses? The more exotic, perhaps, like lions, tigers, snakes, lizards, monkeys, apes, bears, kangaroos, or wolves? A character who likes the water might be attracted to sea gulls, dolphins, flamingos, pelicans, seals, penguins, or whales.

A character who likes to farm might like goats, cows, steers, pigs, rabbits, mules, ducks, bees, sheep, turkeys, chickens, or roosters. One who hates farming would probably have a different view.

The city dweller might hate pigeons, mice, rats, and cockroaches. And, fictional character or not, practically everyone has a negative opinion about fleas, spiders, worms, ants, cicadas, wasps, bedbugs, chiggers, stinkbugs, and mosquitoes, but a positive one about eagles and butterflies.

Does the character like art? If so, what kind? Abstractionism, surrealism, neoclassicism, impressionism, cubism, realism, romanticism, modernism? Does he prefer oil paintings, watercolors, ink drawings, sculpture, photography, engravings, or ceramics? Is he fond of an architectural style such as Greek, modern, Spanish, high Renaissance, medieval, Roman, or Gothic? Does he chuckle at movie cartoons? Political cartoons? Comic strips? Does he like computer art? Are there any of these things he doesn't like?

Does the character like weddings, funerals, award ceremonies, commendations, baptisms, birthdays, anniversaries, receptions, swearing-ins, memorials, or christenings? Or does he dislike them? And how about such special days as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Independence Day, Easter, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Saint Valentine's Day, Halloween, Saint Patrick's Day, or Veterans' Day?

Are there any customs he especially likes or dislikes, such as sending birthday cards, having Sunday dinner at his mother-in-Iaw's house, or wearing a tie to church?

There is almost always something that one person will or will not like in another. It happens in marriages and in the best of friendships. A disorganized person will frustrate one who is organized. People in a hurry are annoyed by those who are cautious. And so on.

Most of the characteristics will be found in Chapter 2 (External Traits). A few typical annoyances include pretentiousness, laziness, indifference, contrariness, avoidance, jealousy, defiance, ingratitude, possessiveness, uncertainty, capriciousness, curiosity, stubbornness, dependence, dishonesty, advice-giving, dawdling, disorderliness, wastefulness, long-windedness, filthiness, unprofessionalism, fastidiousness, vulgarity, standoffishness, evasiveness, exaggeration, impulsiveness, forgetfulness, carelessness, overestimating, underestimating, prejudice, presumption, short-sightedness, gullibility, and skepticism.

Among the things that characters may tend to like are unpretentiousness, perseverance, courtesy, gratitude, restraint, honesty, orderliness, organization, cleanliness, professionalism, politeness, patriotism, informality, tactfulness, good judgment, and broad-mindedness.

Some people hate to dress up; others enjoy it. One person may hate girdles but have to wear one; the same may apply to the individual who wears a necktie or high heels to work. Another may have jewelry hanging from nearly every body part; by contrast, a friend of that person may be exactly the opposite, possibly not even wanting to wear undershorts or a brassiere. What are your character's preferences or disinclinations?

Does your character get a kick out of fireworks, parades, or kites? Enjoy a certain radio station or television program? Go to certain kinds of movies or concerts? Hang out at a certain nightclub or bar? Amuse himself by pulling off harmless pranks? Are there any of these things he doesn't like? And if so, why?

Does the character love doing research at the library? Does he like getting to the bottom of things? To him, does a forest or an old house become something magical? If he's given a clue, will he happily follow it to find another one?

What is the character's favorite food? Is there anything that he positively will not eat? Does he like a big breakfast or dinner? Does he like to eat out or eat at home? Does he have a weakness for desserts, hamburgers, hot dogs, freshly baked bread, pasta, peanuts, pancakes, ice cream, chili, Tabasco sauce, or hot peppers? Does he like a glass of wine, a cold beer, a special kind of soft drink, or coffee? Or perhaps a splash of Scotch, bourbon, brandy, or cognac?

Your character may despise sewing, ironing, washing clothes, dusting, making soup, frying chicken, balancing the checkbook, vacuuming, scouring the bathtub or sink, baking, cleaning behind the stove or refrigerator, setting mousetraps, killing roaches, gardening, canning, cleaning mirrors, making beds, changing sheets, using mothballs, peeling onions, washing windows, cleaning pots and pans, removing caked-on grease, removing spider webs, polishing the silver, setting the table, washing the dishes, or cleaning the oven. On the other hand, he may like doing one of these things.

Does your character like classical, jazz, rock, gospel, or country and western? Opera or musical comedy? Or barbershop quartets? Does he love the sound of a violin, guitar, banjo, trumpet, tuba, piccolo, harmonica, accordion, piano, or organ? What about drums or bagpipes; or perhaps a music box? Is there something that he can barely tolerate?

Is there something in nature that fills. the character with awe or makes him feel peaceful? Would that "something" be, for example, a range of snowcapped mountains? A great lake? A river? Is it the stillness of a desert or a cave? What about an ocean, a forest, an unexpected clearing, the jungle, or a swamp? Does he relish cold or hot weather? Is he still pleased by the sight of clouds, stars, moonlight, or a sunny day? And what's his favorite season: spring, summer, autumn, or winter?

(See
also
Entertainment; Relaxation; Sports)

Does the character like to engage in a friendly game of cards? If so, does he like poker, gin rummy, bridge, canasta, pinochle? Does he drop quarters into slot machines? Wager his dollars on a game of craps or at the race track? Or does he prefer a board game, such as Scrabble, chess, checkers, backgammon, Monopoly, Chinese checkers, or Parcheesi? Possibly he prefers mah-jongg or dominos. How about horseshoes, shuffleboard, curling, or Ping-Pong? Are there any of these things he doesn't like? And if so, why?

If your character works in an office, perhaps he likes or dislikes one (or more) of the following: typewriters, computers, filing cabinets, in-boxes, statistics' letters, spreadsheets, budgets, meetings, reports, management directives, photocopying, paper shredding, flight reservations, conference calls, retirement parties, cost studies, supply purchasing, inter-office memos, ringing telephones, e-mail, intercoms, forms, security systems, mail, or Christmas parties. Among some of these possibilities, are there any that the character despises?

Does the character dislike Caucasians, Negroes, Hispanics, Orientals, or immigrants? Has he got something against doctors, cops, organized labor, businessmen, politicians, sports stars, waiters, auto mechanics, bank clerks, repairmen, sales clerks, post office. clerks, answering services, car attendants, doormen, drunks, beggars, hotel clerks, movie stars, dentists, car salesmen, mimes, the upper class, the lower-classes, snitches, cab drivers, neighbors, or meddlers? Is there anything about any of them that he likes?

Does the character dislike Caucasians, Negroes, Hispanics, Orientals, or immigrants? Has he got something against doctors, cops, organized labor, businessmen, politicians, sports stars, waiters, auto mechanics, bank clerks, repairmen, sales clerks, post office. clerks, answering services, car attendants, doormen, drunks, beggars, hotel clerks, movie stars, dentists, car salesmen, mimes, the upper class, the lower-classes, snitches, cab drivers, neighbors, or meddlers? Is there anything about any of them that he likes?

What if the character sees someone with whiskers, a goatee, a mustache, long hair, short hair, a toupee, a wig, pigtails, dyed hair, eyeglasses, large feet, pigeon toes, big ears, or a big nose? Is it a physical attribute that the character would not like? Does the character have a built-in prejudice against people who are short, tall, thin, overweight, bald, blonde, redheaded, gray-haired, pot bellied, wrinkled, weak-chinned, or disabled?

Would it add anything special to the character to know that he has developed a preference for, or animosity toward, a particular kind of place where people live, such as stately mansions, apartment buildings, trailer homes, farmhouses, tract homes, shacks, military barracks, or tenements? How does he feel about city parks, libraries, museums, sport stadiums, or memorials?

If he lives in the city, surely he must like or dislike one of the following: parking garages, government buildings, traffic jams, newspaper stands, delicatessens, tall buildings, escalators, elevators, restaurants, coffee shops, big movie theaters, or subways. But if he lives in the suburbs, there are shopping malls, corner drugstores, and six-lane expressways.