The exercise:
Choose three people you know and write a brief description about each. List physical characteristics, mannerisms, speech patterns, mode of dress, preferences in music, or whatever else you can think of. Don�t spend too much time on this part of the exercise. You don�t need to write complete sentences. Either freewrite or make a list, whichever is easier for you.
Now the character: Mix and match the traits of the people you know to create a new character. You might want to begin with your new character�s physical description. Combine the facial features of one with the body type of another. Use hair color, eye color, nail color (if applicable). Now that you know what your character looks like, how does your character sound? How does he/she speak? Does your character use his/her hands when speaking? Are there any catch phrases or dialect or idioms your character uses? How does your character dress? Choose one main trait from one of the people you know and give it to your character. Maybe your character is self deprecating or egotistical or honest to a fault or gregarious or shy. This trait should be a source of conflict and motivation. For instance, maybe your character is totally selfless, always giving and volunteering for others. But now the conflict is her family life is suffering, and she feels as if she�s going to lose her mind. This is just one example. If your character is self deprecating, how can that be a conflict? How about if your character is honest to a fault? Make a list of possible conflicts to go with the trait you�ve chosen. Ask �what if?� To make this exercise even more challenging, combine two opposite traits. Perhaps the character is honest, always telling the truth, but immediately apologizes and puts herself down. Or combine shy and aggressive behaviors. Or what if your character has an aversion to soap and water, but he is attracted to the woman who works at Bath & Body Works? The possibilities are endless. Now write a scene where you show your character�s conflict. As always, have fun with this!
