Make them come alive!

Efficient Tricks that Build Characters in a Story

Readers are very difficult to be fooled. They always have it in their minds that the account they're reading is a story... a made up fabrication of lies and falsehood. This might sound disappointing but sadly, readers know that stories are stories. Now what? Take the challenge of fooling them and winning them over!

See, any story or novel has its base formed by the characters. As writers, you need to build the characters live and strong... make sure that the readers might forget the name of the book after three decades but not the characters... the characters should come and talk to them... haunt them in their dreams... make them cry... make them laugh... make them feel as their individual selves... make them believe in them. And it is here that your blood and sweat will be shed and it is tough.

Showing and not telling: This is imortant. if you say that Sameera was old readers will take it as an information. But in their minds there wouldn't be any appropriate picture for her. Show it by what she does... say:
Sameera took her steps slowly as she walked down the hills. The sunrays touched the wrinkles near her nose as she stooped downwards holding her stick. "Oh! The sun!" she said to herself as the corners of her lips drooped down.
This serves my purpose!

Dialogues: They are very effective and you're almost there near perfection if you've used them efficiently.

Dreams: Yes... This is a great tool.
Madhu turned his head with a creaking noise and hurled towards me. She picked me up and threw me from one corner of the room to another. I was sweating and struggling for fresh air. The telephone rang and I opened my eyes. It was a dream.
This makes an impression that Madhu is a bully.

Letters: If suddenly in the middle of the plot you realize you need to share a background information about a character, you've got it... you can always use letters. They're a fabulous way to help your characters come out open with their thoughts and feelings, letting the reader find out more about them.

These are the few tricks that I've used to build characters and there are many more. But yes, you the basic rule is you have to know your characters. Think about them. Interview them. Talk to them. Make sure that every aspect of the character has been covered. And be prepared to let your characters and their responses surprise you.

Keep writing to explore them.

Sit to Write... Make it Right

Things new writers must know

** None of the following is fictional or exaggerated. These are all the things that I've personally encountered while working on my debut novel...


1. Avoid using unnecessary adjectives - ominous, ill-fated, calamitous world... I know, I know the world is indeed a bad place... anything else????

2. Stop using anthropomorphisms and I really mean it since you tend to do this especially if you're a new Indian writer. Fate was giving a vicious smile? Who told you that Fate is a woman and can smile!!?

3. Dialogues should sound real. Read them and read them again. Use I've instead of I have and the likes.

4. It is always better if Harry says than Harry remarks, answers, questions, etc... New writers, note it down.

5. Don't tell that Robin was angry. Instead, show how his face gradually turned red before he tightened his jaws.

6. Shelly was gullible? I don't believe you. Bring this out in a series of dialogues.

7. First time novelist? Don't get over ambitious with your first novel even if it is a bitter experience you're writing about from your life. Be polite, use your brains.

8. Don't leave loop holes in between your story line. Readers are lazy asses and they just hate to guess.

9. Don't put an abrupt ending. They never work. Bring out a clear conclusion.

10.  Using overwrought language? You've got hold of the wrong end of the stick. Be simple and correct.

11. And do not repeat words... The old man remembered the old custom and remembered the old saying... The old man remembered the antique custom and recalled the ancient saying. Which one sounds better?

12. Think of a title... make sure that it is subjected to change. This will have a magical effect. You'll see how you get more responsible and committed towards it.

Good writing is concise, clear and economical. Bad writing is obscure, muddled, long winded and full of adjectives with disconnected flights of fancy.

*** Becca, thanks for teaching these.

Rotary Club of Bombay Hosts Event for 'The Female Ward' at Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

With Indira Chandrasekhar, author and founder editor of Out of Print

With Sucharita Hegde, Chairman Programs Comm.

With President, Rotary Club of Bombay