February 3, 2012 - Characters Continued Cont.

Just a few more character notes.

Fact-Check Your Characters
This should be obvious. If you're writing about a fireman, you should research firemen. If you're writing about cotton candy salesman, try and sell some to your friends. If you're writing about a cop, make them realistic.

Oh my god, an alien on a bicycle! Grab your. . . walkie-talkies?

You've got to know the processes, the mannerisms, and the lingo of your character. "Slap the bracelets on that perp!" is apparently not just something you'll hear on Law & Order. Actual cops say it. When a cop goes on a "10-63," it just means he's grabbing a bite to eat (probably at Quik-trip where there are never  not cops there.) It's all about making sure your characters are believable and act within their specified roles.

"Can I take your order?"

The Hero's Journey

If you've taken any writing class, you've probably been subjected to hearing about "The Hero's Journey"

We all know and love Joseph Campbell.

"Joey C" to my friends.

Presented here is a *very* abbreviated version of the stages of the Hero's Journey.

The Reach

A young lady is struggling to reach for her favorite movie. She notices a much taller man with a much better reach near her, and she calls him to action.

The man also struggles to reach for said movie and winds up hurting his back. The man is being brutally tested by a road of trials.

Eventually, however, the man comes up with a plan and realizes he could use a chair to achieve his goals.

The man then returns to his normal, simpler life proud of his new-found knowledge.

He shows the lady his chair-trick and applies what he learned to do good for those around him. His journey has been complete.

And that's all there is to it!