Cardboard Characters

fancie · Mar 25, 2009

My character's are flat. I had someone comment on my book. This is what he wrote:

I haven't read too much Sci-fi but this is probably the most original example I have read. I can't fully visualise the characters yet and I almost need to see it as a film. The whole concept is so clever, it finds an excuse to involve all human passions in a completely new way.

He was very kind, and I don't know how much he really did read, but how can I bring out my characters so the readers don't need to see it as a film to visualize them? (not that I wouldn't love to see it as a film too.)

stormie · Mar 25, 2009

They could have a quirk, like biting their nails or knocking on wood (superstition). Try getting into their heads. Become that character as you write the scene. As I've said, some use character charts just to guide them. I do that if I'm having trouble visualizing a certain character.

RichardB · Mar 25, 2009

Sounds like maybe you have a clever plot and maybe your "cardboard" characters exist to execute that plot? Try this; present your characters with a tough situation, one that you don't immediately know how they will escape. Then let the characters surprise you with their talent, ingenuity, and weaknesses. Or they might not have an interesting way through the situation - in which case you will have to add bits to their personalities to make it work.

I don't know if I'm saying this well... I'll try another way. If the plot and its resolution are plotted independently of the characters, you have to construct every little thing about the characters a priori. If as an author you let the characters determine how the plot will resolve, you will be FORCED to make your characters interesting enough to do so.

Mel · Mar 25, 2009

Your characters need to come across as real as the people you know around you.

Here's two sites to check out that might help.

Fiction Factor

Holly Lisle
Scroll down the left side to find the ones about characters.

cwfgal · Mar 25, 2009

You need characters people can relate to. They need to have some traits/situations/emotions/challenges that are common to the human condition, even if they aren't human per se. Tap into some universal fears, needs, wants, and goals and imbue your characters with these things so that readers can understand and relate to them. Decide on a trait or two for each character that is the primary drive behind their personality: strength, ambition, intelligence, athleticism, courage, humor, cowardice, recklessness, optimism, etc., and then SHOW these traits in the way the characters act, think, and speak.

Some physical description helps, too, but I think the nonvisible things bring characters to life in a stronger, more memorable way.

Beth

Gillhoughly · Mar 25, 2009

Reread favorite books that had characters that were absolutely alive to you.

Try to figure out how THOSE writers did it.

One of my great teachers is Lois McMaster Bujold. I know more about her characters' family histories and quirks than I do about my own!

stephenf · Mar 25, 2009

It looks as if you are basing you opinions on one critic .Why don't you post a chapter on this site .You may get a different opinion?

CaroGirl · Mar 25, 2009

Whatever you do, keep them inside. Rain is murder on cardboard characters.

dawinsor · Mar 25, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
One of my great teachers is Lois McMaster Bujold. I know more about her characters' family histories and quirks than I do about my own!

I want to write like LMB when I grow up. Miles Vorkorsigan is fabulously alive.

Try giving your characters internal contradiction. They want to be honorable, for instance, but also want to sneak up on someone and avenge some action.

Also, one thing I try to do is give every character a secret. Sometimes it's small (they and another character once kissed). Sometimes it's big (the character is a spy). The secret doesn't even have to come out in the story, but I find it gives depth to my sense of who that character is.

Phaeal · Mar 25, 2009

Here's a big caveat about that critique you quote: The writer admits that he doesn't read much SF. Therefore he's in no position to tell you whether what you've written is original or not. He may also not have an "eye" or "ear" for the genre and its requirements.

I second the suggestion to post a chapter on our SYW forum, in the SFF section. One opinion does not a cardboard character make, and even if your characters are somewhat papery, you'll get better suggestions for fleshing them out if your advisers have something specific to address.

Kaylee · Mar 25, 2009

Make each character each have some kid of quirk.

There's no problems, only solutions. --- John Lennon

LaceWing · Mar 25, 2009

I usually expect Scifi to be heavy on world building, which of course includes the sociology of the world. From the sociological viewpoint, persons filling social roles are not cardboard, but types that make the world go round.

fancie · Mar 25, 2009

I'll keep them inside....lol.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. My characters do have quirks, secrets, flaws and such. They're only human....or a form of.

and they do get into trouble that brings out weaknesses, strengths and personality. But I do lack in explaining feelings, I think.

stormie · Mar 25, 2009

I must be tired. Fancie, when you said you had trouble explaining feelings, I started thinking of that old lounge-type song "Feelings." Now that'll be running through my head tonight.

Ugh.

Anyway, try to get into that character at the moment when he or she is struggling or excited or angry. What do you do? How do you feel? Take it one character, one emotion, at a time.

fancie · Mar 25, 2009

LOL Stormie. Thanks a lot!!! Now it's going to be running through my mind!

:rant:

Stijn Hommes · Mar 25, 2009

fancie said:
My character's are flat. I had someone comment on my book. This is what he wrote:

I haven't read too much Sci-fi but this is probably the most original example I have read. I can't fully visualise the characters yet and I almost need to see it as a film. The whole concept is so clever, it finds an excuse to involve all human passions in a completely new way.

He was very kind, and I don't know how much he really did read, but how can I bring out my characters so the readers don't need to see it as a film to visualize them? (not that I wouldn't love to see it as a film too.)

This doesn't mean there's necessarily something wrong with the story. I always have to visualize a story as a film to get into it no matter how good or bad it is. Have you tried getting more feedback?

Vegetables · Mar 25, 2009

First, I make sure I can visualize my character in my head. You can do whatever you want for this: choose someone you know to base your character's appearance off of, draw a picture of your character, find a picture of the character on the net, whatever. If you can vusyalize your cahracter than character description will probably slip into the story naturally and the reader will be able to invision your character as well. Then I outline my characters' lives before I start writing. I write down their entire life story, starting from conception to the first scene they're introduced in the story. It can be as broad as you want it to be. I usually just use important events in their life or events that happened previously that pertain to the story. Then I write an 'interior monologue.' I write my character's perspective on an event that happened before the story happened. Usually I use really small events and just make them really melodramatic through my cahracter's perspective. This should help you get into character and help you get to know your character a little better so they can develop a unique voice and don't turn out '2D.'

fancie · Mar 25, 2009

Stijn Hommes said:
This doesn't mean there's necessarily something wrong with the story. I always have to visualize a story as a film to get into it no matter how good or bad it is. Have you tried getting more feedback?

I do have a couple chapters up here. Blessed of the Gods...original, then revised. From comments on the first one, I gathered that the discriptions were taking away from the story...or should be rearranged to keep from being distracting. The revised, I believe, I edited too much...

fancie · Mar 25, 2009

Vegetables said:
First, I make sure I can visualize my character in my head. You can do whatever you want for this: choose someone you know to base your character's appearance off of, draw a picture of your character, find a picture of the character on the net, whatever. If you can vusyalize your cahracter than character description will probably slip into the story naturally and the reader will be able to invision your character as well. Then I outline my characters' lives before I start writing. I write down their entire life story, starting from conception to the first scene they're introduced in the story. It can be as broad as you want it to be. I usually just use important events in their life or events that happened previously that pertain to the story. Then I write an 'interior monologue.' I write my character's perspective on an event that happened before the story happened. Usually I use really small events and just make them really melodramatic through my cahracter's perspective. This should help you get into character and help you get to know your character a little better so they can develop a unique voice and don't turn out '2D.'

I know exactly what my characters look like. I found pictures that closely resemble them. I even have a picture of "Soley" the wolf. I know my people...I just can't seem to break them down for others.

I'm afraid to overdue visuals, but evidently I leave too much out.

fancie · Mar 25, 2009

Gillhoughly said:
Reread favorite books that had characters that were absolutely alive to you.

Try to figure out how THOSE writers did it.

One of my great teachers is Lois McMaster Bujold. I know more about her characters' family histories and quirks than I do about my own!

I think this is a good idea. Thanks.

Matera the Mad · Mar 25, 2009

dawinsor said:
I want to write like LMB when I grow up. Miles Vorkorsigan is fabulously alive.

I was in unrequited love with Miles for a while.

Read. Read-read-read. Read. Observe.

GunDoctor · Jun 6, 2009

Besides using a character chart, I recommend doing what Stephen King does. Put one of YOUR quirks into a major character to make them real. Bite nails, kick the dog, roll eyes, be sarcastic, etc. To my mind this can help a reader "link" with the character.

Scott

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