"Create people, not characters!"

What do you think about this quotation? It's so true! The best writers are the best observers but we can all train ourselves to notice more - I used to be absolutely rubbish at it!

True story . . . many, many years ago, my dad was picking me up from Brownies and, looking quizzically at his face, I asked him if he had grown a moustache. Turned out he had shaved off his beard!! Okaaaay!

Have you ever noticed if you start thinking of something you see it all of the time? How many red cars have you seen today? Wonder how many you'll now notice tomorrow!

Creating credible characters all begins by noticing the people around you - watching and observing them, carefully!

I remember a time I had a group of Advanced Higher students in Central Station observing the people there going about their day. Then, suddenly, I noticed a guy observing us and sketching us. The observing were being observed which suddenly all felt too much and so we scarpered pretty quickly.

Great characters often start by being based on someone you know well. So, to start, think of just one person . . .

🌿 what do they always say?

🌿 what are their unique mannerisms?

🌿 how do they react to challenges?

My Grampa used to always say "I resemble that remark" which confused me when I was small, but I grew to love him saying it and still immediately think of him if I hear it. It would be an amazing line to give a character to set them apart from the rest.

What makes the person you know unique? What are some of the interesting quirks that you could bring from them into a character that you're developing?

As Hemingway said - "Create people, not characters" and he did seem to know something about writing ;)