I’m a huge fan of acting out your words. I tell my students to read their words aloud, especially if the writing is for a screenplay, because obviously the text has to scan when spoken rather than read.

In fact even if the dialogue is not for a spoken word piece I tend to act out the words. In fact I IMPROVISE the words, as if the characters are talking. I shut myself into my office where I won’t be disturbed (advisable to avoid encounters with men in white coats) and act out conversations with the characters.

You know what the creepy thing is? I know a little about them when I start but I know lots more about them when we finish chatting. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? But you need to give your characters a life of their own.

Where do these voices come from? The subconscious, the source of all your creativity. Unlocking the subconscious is one of my favourite subjects! Swing by and join me on my blog some time.

Once again, thanks for the post, very thought provoking.

My character’s are generally nothing like me, but more like people I know or have imagined.

I know this isn’t 100% relevant but I often come up with my characters before I have chosen a setting, story line, theme, etc.

Bizarre!

I find one of the best ways to develop a character is to be that person right before you go to sleep and right when you wake up. Just imagine yourself in whatever setting your character is in, and then let them talk and move (it is sort of like daydreaming).