Monday, September 19, 2005
Characters Are What They Think
In fiction, seeing is believing. If a character says, "I love animals," than kicks his dog, which will influence the reader's opinion more? Actions definitely speak louder than words.
But before a character acts, he or she thinks. I'm not talking about the function of certain personalities that ruminates for days about a specific action before doing anything. I'm talking about a lifestyle of thought that perpetually constructs a foundation for actions. This is a universal process, equally at work in all personalities.
How a character thinks on a day-to-day basis is how he lives. For instance, two characters work at the same job. Each day they interact with a corrupt supervising manager. One character thinks every day, This job stinks. The customers are stupid. My boss is unfair. I never get a raise. The second character thinks, I'm glad I've got a job. I enjoy brightening a customer's day with a smile. My boss has it harder than I do--he has to live with himself. My paycheck is all the appreciation I need.
Both characters' thought processes build attitudes. Attitudes lay the foundation for organic action and consistent characterization.
Continuing the example above--
Character A's attitude translates into actions like complaining about his job, treating customers disdainfully, whining to his boss, and ripping his paycheck because he opens it angrily.
Character B's attitude translates into actions like greeting customers with a smile, praying for his boss, and opening his paycheck with sufficient care it stays in one piece.
Now, let's say both characters get new jobs and raises, or are transferred out of state to better office environments. So long as both characters' thought habits remain the same, they will live in the same attitudes regardless of the change in circumstances. How the characters think is how they live--regardless of what happens in the plot.
And that's the secret of character growth.
Change the way the character habitually thinks (gradually, please, so it's believable). Then the attitude will change (again, gradually). Finally the action will reflect this foundational change, and because it's been set up in the character's thought life long before, the reader may be surprised but most importantly, she'll believe.
But before a character acts, he or she thinks. I'm not talking about the function of certain personalities that ruminates for days about a specific action before doing anything. I'm talking about a lifestyle of thought that perpetually constructs a foundation for actions. This is a universal process, equally at work in all personalities.
How a character thinks on a day-to-day basis is how he lives. For instance, two characters work at the same job. Each day they interact with a corrupt supervising manager. One character thinks every day, This job stinks. The customers are stupid. My boss is unfair. I never get a raise. The second character thinks, I'm glad I've got a job. I enjoy brightening a customer's day with a smile. My boss has it harder than I do--he has to live with himself. My paycheck is all the appreciation I need.
Both characters' thought processes build attitudes. Attitudes lay the foundation for organic action and consistent characterization.
Continuing the example above--
Character A's attitude translates into actions like complaining about his job, treating customers disdainfully, whining to his boss, and ripping his paycheck because he opens it angrily.
Character B's attitude translates into actions like greeting customers with a smile, praying for his boss, and opening his paycheck with sufficient care it stays in one piece.
Now, let's say both characters get new jobs and raises, or are transferred out of state to better office environments. So long as both characters' thought habits remain the same, they will live in the same attitudes regardless of the change in circumstances. How the characters think is how they live--regardless of what happens in the plot.
And that's the secret of character growth.
Change the way the character habitually thinks (gradually, please, so it's believable). Then the attitude will change (again, gradually). Finally the action will reflect this foundational change, and because it's been set up in the character's thought life long before, the reader may be surprised but most importantly, she'll believe.
