how to make friends with your characters and why you should

With the seedling of any new idea, one of the first questions is usually who are my characters? In many circumstances, though, characters get a bit of developing and then all the focus goes to the plot. This isn't to say the plot isn't important -- it is-- but a key component to making sure you have a solid plot is really getting to know your characters. Perhaps we should even say it is time to make friends with your characters. After all, it is their story.

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR CHARACTERS:

• It will help you write your character as a person, not a cardboard cutout. Whether we realize it or not, it is far too easy to fall into the traps of flat characters. This can show up in the form of cliched characters, or even in the fact that you tend to write your characters alike unintentionally between books.
• It can reveal parts of their story you may not have known. By truly getting to know your characters, you allow them the chance to tell you their story. This can allow insight and developments that weren't even thought of before.
• It can help you get invested in the book. If you invest in your characters, it will in turn help you get more invested in your book. You'll be excited to tell your character's story!

HOW YOU CAN MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR CHARACTERS:

• Talk to them. This sounds absurd, but it's a trick used by many imaginative writers. Let your character speak to you, and just be patient. They often reveal bits and pieces as you let them. Trying to force a character out sometimes can blur the true story and identity. So let it come naturally.
• Figure out their personality type. By using personality typing systems like MBTI and Enneagram, you can truly get into your characters head. Once you know your character's type, you can research based on their personality to understand them better. Just beware not to fall for stereotypes.
• Fill out a questionnaire about them. In our Fearless Type Character Workbook we have multiple different questionnaires to utilize, and filling out the answers to such can really help you pinpoint specifics and even the tiniest details.
• Have THEM answer questions. Questionnaires are pretty common, but flipping the script is almost better. Start a conversation with your character and have them tell you the answers to some questions-- this way you can be much more sensitive to telling the story the way it needs to be told for your character.
• Journal from their perspective. We love freewriting, and it's a great exercise for getting to know your character too. Take a few moments to step into their shoes and then journal as if you are them. You might be surprised what comes up.
• Find songs that tell their story. Creating novel music playlists is something we often recommend, but sometimes songs can be just the tool you need to get specific with a character, too. Listen to songs and let the inspiration flow.
• Figure out their backstory. Even side characters can benefit from this exercise. Spend some time to figure out the backstories of your characters -- even supposedly insignificant ones. You may discover there is a subplot to be woven in, or perhaps you just receive an in-depth knowledge of your characters.
• Continually ask them "why". Don't be afraid to question your character's actions as you outline and even as you draft your novel. Why are they doing this? Why do they think that? By continually asking, you will begin to receive answers.
• Research. Almost any character can benefit from you taking the initiative to research for them. You can delve into their careers, personality, how they would live in their settings, historical accuracy, culture, and more.
• Dig deep into their motives behind everything, conscious and subconscious. This goes along with the above where we mentioned to continually ask why, but let's take it even farther. As you complete questionnaires, research, or just talk to them, always be ready to look deeper into everything. Don't give one word answers to questions, and brainstorm very specific things to get their thoughts on. Truly invest in getting to be friends with them. Simply being curious about your characters can reap a lot of information. 

SOME QUESTIONS TO ASK THEM:
We encouraged you to ask your character some questions, so we have below ten to get you started. That's not all though! We have a free workbook with 100 questions all for your character to answer. They range from relationship oriented ones to deep and personal, but regardless, you will walk away knowing your character more intimately than ever before. So be sure to snag a copy before you leave!

Without further ado, here are ten questions to ask your character!

1. What makes you most excited in a day?
2. Why is your best friend your best friend?
3. How do you feel about your education?
4. Do you talk to strangers?
5. Are you a detail-oriented person or a big picture person?
6. How did you and your antagonist/nemesis come to be at odds?
7.  What are you likely very wrong about?
8. What is the biggest "what if" to you?
9. Who has the biggest impact on your life?
10. What things have you never learned but wish you had?

Again, don't forget to get all 100 questions right now! 

So there you have it. Making friends with fictional characters has never been easier! Why don't you share a bit about your characters by leaving a comment giving your character's answers to one or two of the questions above?

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Stay Fearless!