How to write characters?
should I base it on myself?
Remember the Matrix movie when Keanu Reeves is standing in slow motion, moving and contorting and watching the bad guys’ bullets whiz past him? He is 100% totally objective. He is devoid of ego, just watching things go by. This is a state of being that he’s obtained, and worked hard to get.
That’s what writing stories is about matching what’s going on around you with no ego. Yes, I said, no ego, totally objective. Consider that this is not your story, even though you are writing it.
Let your characters speak for themselves, ask their own questions and give their own answers. You are, after all, the lucky one who gets to watch them and document what they say and do. Be objective and create a distance that allows you to be the observer.
People ask if my characters are based on me. When I’m writing and watching people carefully, sometimes I see myself and my personality slip into a character, but it’s not about me. It’s about that guy who looks like me with that quirky ego. It’s exciting and it’s fun. If you step back and become a watcher of people and things, you might find a whole new world to write about.
If you have any questions just leave your comment down below!
See you next time,
Rick