What is a character? If you look up the dictionary you’ll find the word “Character” has a few context or general meanings.
I could be talking about a few different things here. I could be asking about what an author decides to give the people and places in their story, things like, traits, defects, or personal qualities. Then again, I could be talking about what a character is exactly. A person, people or animals that are featured in books, comics, web series, films or plays.
Well today, I’m talking about both of the above. Firstly, let me introduce some of the characters in Starchild. Right throughout the Starchild series you will meet both major and minor characters. The major characters are Mai, Akra, Long, Sahib and Barka, the little lizard. Though, in book one Barka only has a minor role, but I can assure you the little lizard will become quite the character as the series continues. Another minor character would be Caylee. Each of these characters have been given character. What I mean is they will be given qualities or features that provide them with individual differences from each other. Just like your friends are different from you in some ways. This is what makes people interesting, fun to be around, or not so fun to be around.
I like to give my characters, the people and animals, a talent and I like them to have a best friend and a worst enemy. By doing this I then have to give them qualities or features they must use to have the ability cope in different situations. Some characters will need to have strong character traits. He or she might need to be courageous when in a dangerous situation. Another character might have to be very kind and caring in situations of need. This is what is sometimes called fleshing out the character.
There are also other things that bring a character to life. Things they own. The little things people carry in their pockets are important. You can tell a lot about a person by the things they carry in their pockets or bags. To compliment this I give my characters different actions or ways they go about things. This keeps the characters individual from each other. I’ve done this by bringing them together from different nations or places. Different countries have different cultural behaviours and customs. This gives them individuality and a sense of realism.
I also like to include the loss of something because finding the lost item or thing is a source of motivation. In Starchild, Akra has lost his memory and getting it back will be a long process.
I hope this has helped you understand a little bit about “Character”
Next time I’ll be talking about ENERGY! A world full of powerful energies!
