Dec 05 2008
Do You Stereo-Type Your Characters?
The key component to a great story is in great characters. Unfortunately, many writers create characters based on what they think they know about a certain culture or population. I read a great post today about bad writing , and the very first point that Nanette made was about the way writers stereo-type country folk. Though this was not her only point, it did get me to thinking about character creation.
It is just a good idea to do a little research about your character’s background before introducing them to the world. For instance, if your character is a young English woman, do a bit of research to find out about the area you’re going to have her come from. This will also depend on the time in which she is to come from, but I think you get the idea. In essence, a proper young English woman would never have journeyed into the White Chapel district of London during the time of the Jack the Ripper murders. Not on her own, anyway.
As your characters begin to take on a life of their own, make sure you know a little bit about the realities of their surroundings. Going back to the original idea, not all country people are bumbling, uneducated dingbats. They don’t all drive pick-ups, they don’t all have teeth missing, and they don’t all look for mating partners in their own families. I know this because I am a country girl, and have been my whole life.
Just because you think you know something about a certain culture, take the time to get the facts. Adding a few bits of realism into your stories will turn a good character into a great personality. What’s the point of writing a story, if your characters are going to be its downfall? Know the details behind your character before you let them loose on the world.
Awesome post Chris. Totally hit the nail on the head. I am from Tennessee and I know exactly what you are talking about. In Tennessee is not that most people have shotgun racks on their trucks, its just the fact that most of us are too drunk on moonshine to accurately shoot them.
Thanks for referring to my post, and I second your point about stereo-types in general. The generic country character came to mind because of a recent submission I’d read, but stereo-typing is something writers need to look out for across the board. Perhaps it’s my Italian-American heritage that has made me so sensitive to this. Outside of the Jewish Mother, I don’t think you’ll find a more stereo-typed ethnic group. Still, it’s easy for any of us to fall into that trap, especially with minor characters. In addition to research, I would add that writers should get to know their characters as individuals. Just as in life, once you do that, you realize that there are no stereo-types in the real world.
@ Garry, thanks honey. I know all about you moonshiners. LOL
@Nanette-Well, I owe you the thanks here. You were the inspiration for this post. And you are so right about getting to know your characters, even the minor ones. Readers will be able to tell the difference between a two-dimensional and three-dimensional character.