Character Habits

You have answered your own question, methinks.

Lol, my character is a chain-smoker, so....

Mix it up.

How do you mean?
Are you saying you cannot control the smoking or the character?

Try giving him other habits. Maybe he turns the flicker on his lighter with his thumb, or reaches into his pocket now and then and fiddles with the lighter. While movement is good during dialogue scenes, much of it is understood so you don't have to go overboard. Just throw in a few things here and there. And like Buffy said -- mix it up!

: )

People who smoke are just people who smoke. A character who smokes should just be a character who smokes, and he should smoke when, where, and how any real person smokes.

Just let your characters be real people, with real habits. Don't force it, and don't try to add elements that aren't there.

If you want an example of a character lighting up too much (or doing anything too much, really), read the Joe Pitt casebooks by Charlie Huston. Even he admits that he used it as a crutch almost. All the guy does when he's not kicking butt and taking names (and even then sometimes) is light a cig.

That being said, while I noticed it it didn't bug me too much to keep reading. It was more funny than anything.

If your gut is saying that something is happening too often--whether it be shrugs, cigarettes, or eye rolls--listen to it. And make them do something else.

catian said:

Are you saying you cannot control the smoking or the character?

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Well, it is an addiction.

I think it's Elizabeth George who uses the term THAD, or, Talking Head Avoidance Device. Basically something for the characters to do when they are having a conversation. It doesn't have to be a habit, it can be something relating to the situation. Preferably something that's also thematically appropriate. Planting flowers, putting together Ikea furniture, waiting for the bus and lighting up can all be appropriate choices if the context is right and the writer makes sure to really describe the actions instead of just using them as filler. Make use of them, have them carry meaning.

If you think it is too much, then it probably is. But, what you can do is just vary up the ways you present your character smoking. Don't explain every time that he needs one or the way he smokes it or how it makes him feel. You can simply just have him pull out a cigarette and that's it.

Don't go overboard with details about it and the reader won't think twice, but just accept that about your character.

Well, if the character smokes too much, you have to mention it now and then. Simple as that. Don't overdo, but it's part of him, right?

My dad smoked two packs a day and if I were writing about him, or character modeled on him, I'd have to mention it, wouldn't I? It was a part of him.

I'm going to give the very definitive answer of, It depends. There is no "universal" smoker. Some smoke socially. Some only when they drink. I know a guy who buys 1 pack a week and smokes 1 cigarette after each meal. No more, no less. I also know a guy who uses the remains of one cigarette to light his next. Others won't smoke in front of people because they don't want someone to know they smoke (at least they think they don't already know).

The point is two-fold. One, you're character is going to do what he normally would. If he's a chain smoker, he's going to smoke a lot. But you don't always need to show him with a cigarette in the hand. In a pressure situation, this guy is probably going to reach for his pack of smokes. Two, if he is a smoker, I think if you mention it once or twice the reader will remember it and they'll picture him however they picture a "normal" smoker unless you state otherwise (he bums a cigarette off someone at a bar and says, "man I haven't had one of these since high school"). They'll (at least I would) just assume he has a smoke whenever, just like I'll assume he goes to the bathroom like a normal person even though you don't show me that.

You can take advantage of the additional gestures that a smoker can offer (like I said reaching for a cigarrette in a pressure situation or fumbling with a lighter/match because he's scared/nervous), but once you let us know he's a smoker, he doesn't need to (and really shouldn't) light one up every time he steps outside.

I think what you've noticed is just a part of writing. I've been editing my first novel and the last couple of weeks I've been sharpening voice and characteristics. I've been seeing the things my characters do that separate them, and bringing these things out, and I've been noticing things they do too much of (I want to give them character and individuality but not piss off the reader) and I've been pushing these things back a little, burying them and cutting some of them.

That you've noticed this is a good thing, and you should keep it in mind but not let it worry you.

Orchestra said:

Well, it is an addiction.

I think it's Elizabeth George who uses the term THAD, or, Talking Head Avoidance Device. Basically something for the characters to do when they are having a conversation. It doesn't have to be a habit, it can be something relating to the situation. Preferably something that's also thematically appropriate. Planting flowers, putting together Ikea furniture, waiting for the bus and lighting up can all be appropriate choices if the context is right and the writer makes sure to really describe the actions instead of just using them as filler. Make use of them, have them carry meaning.

Click to expand...

That is something new to me.
It can't be a specification surely... I am new to this concept and presumably I do not have to do it if I do not want to.
I would understand it if it was a film but in a book I cannot see how that makes it a better story.
I really don't understand it.

What I like is that over the course of time, my character converts one of the other characters into a smoker.

I have to agree with Jamesaritchie on this one.

My MC's boyfriend smokes and I mention him lighting up on occasion, but mostly when it makes sense to mention it. For instance, to indicate nervousness by fiddling with his lighter, or flicking the ash off of the cigarette to indicate dismissiveness or anger. Otherwise, I don't mention it. He may very well be smoking in all other scenes he's in, but if it doesn't serve a purpose, don't include mention of it.

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One Broken Wing