Tips for character design using Method Writing

Method Writing is the writing version of Method Acting. According to Arc Studio Method Writing is “A writer or author who uses a writing technique in which he/she identifies emotionally with a character in the story and assumes that character’s persona in the telling.” The best way for you to write an authentic character is if you know them well.

Below are some techniques I developed or used to help me get to know my characters as people. Feel free to use and adjust these prompts to connect with your characters.

1. Family trees, maps and history books:
   • Try to get a genealogy going here.
   • Draw maps of the places they go to, their home, their bedrooms.
   • What type of psychology goes through the locals on a day-by-day basis?
   • How did the society evolve? How did the youth handle the changes? How did the older generation handle the changes?
   • Where did they grow up?
   • Where do they live now?
   • Which family members are around them?
2. The Meeting: More like a therapy session:
   • Ask them to sit down in a comfortable setting. Which setting did they choose?
   • How would they react if you were a local or someone from another dimension or time? If they can’t handle it, pretend to be a local.
   • Are they nervous or outgoing?
   • What do they consider a good time and why?
   • What do they hate and why?
   • What’s bothering them these days?
   • What do they need help with?
3. The Silent Observer:
   • Sit in the character’s ‘natural habitat’ and watch them go about their day-to-day life.
   • Do they socialise or are they loners?
   • How frustrated are they when they need to clean their home?
   • What are their hobbies?
   • How do they get food?
   • Who do they spend time with?
   • Enter their mind and see what they are thinking about right now.
4. The Interview:
   • Interview your character in a local setting.
   • Ask the simple questions first, like what is their favourite food?
   • Ask the hard questions, like why are they where they are?
   • Are they really in love with so-and-so?
   • What do they think of their co-stars? Friends? Family? Partners in crime?
   • What are their career options after the adventure?

Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay