Having trouble creating well-rounded characters in your stories for children? Then try this tip from writer Lisa Harkrader who learned it a few years ago in a workshop she took from writer Sandy Asher (thank goodness writers love to share). Lisa says if she had to pick one single thing that has improved her writing the most, this would be it – the character interview.

There’s nothing mysterious about the character interview. It’s simply a list of questions to ask your main character before you start writing. You ask a question, then your main character answers (Yes, you should start hearing voices when you do this, but if you’re a writer you probably already hear them anyway, so relax).

Lisa says, “My characters tend to be long-winded and usually tell me a bunch of stuff I never dreamed of before I started interviewing them. I don’t use all that information in the story, but it gives me a very good understanding of the character and the character’s voice, so I know what that character sounds like when he or she speaks. It almost always gives me a better understanding of the plot, and sometimes leads me to better endings or a different shading of certain events. Occasionally, especially when I’m writing in first person, I lift sentences or paragraphs right from the interview. Another thing interviews help me with is deciding when to use first or third person. If a character’s voice is strong and fresh enough to carry an entire story, I feel comfortable using first person. If a character is more of a do-er than a talker, third person works better.”

Lisa conducted character interviews when she was working on her latest middle grade novel, AIRBALL: MY LIFE IN BRIEFS, which was recently released (September 2005) from Roaring Brook Press. The interview questions Lisa uses have evolved over the years. This is the list she asks her characters now:

CHARACTER INTERVIEW

1. Describe yourself–what is your best quality? What is your worst?

2. Describe your family.

3. Who is your best friend? Why?

4. What did you ask for on your last birthday? What did you get?

5. What is the one thing you wish other people knew about you?

6. What is your biggest secret–the one thing you don’t want ANYBODY to know?

7. What are you most afraid of?

8. What do you want more than anything?

Remember, you don’t have to stick to these particular questions or use ONLY these questions. As you get used to conducting character interviews you’ll probably develop your own questions that let you get to know and understand your characters, so they really come alive in your stories for children.

Pay it Forward is a movie about society, and what each of us can do to improve it. Each character represents many different life lessons, and here are a few of them. Trevor represents giving, Eugene Simonet represents fear, Arlene represents desperation, Chris Chandler (Reporter) represents curiosity, and the stranger named Mr. Thorsen represents kindness.

Trevor McKinney had a very absorbent mind. He was ready to listen to anyone. Fortunately, the right person came along to guide him. Mr. Simonet gave him an assignment to change the world. Trevor created a unique concept called ‘Pay it Forward’. It consists of doing a large favor for 3 different people, and like a pyramid, spreading the word to each of them to do favors for 3 other strangers. Many people can think about doing something like this, but Trevor actually does it. It shows how truly giving he was. Under the toughest of circumstances, Trevor focused on helping others, and that is why he represented giving.

Eugene Simonet, Trevor’s Social Studies teacher, had great intentions for the world. He gave his class an assignment that involved changing the world for the better, but perhaps because of fear of doing it himself. In his relationship with Arlene, he showed great fear almost all of the time. This was due to his inability to let go of his past. It took drastic measures for Eugene Simonet to release his fear.

Arlene McKinney represented desperation. Most of her acts were done desperately, hoping for a better future. She worked 2 “informal” jobs, just to support Trevor and herself after her ex husband Ricky left her. When Ricky came back into her life, she took him back, because she was hoping for a return to normalcy. She preferred certainty in a bad relationship over uncertainty in a good relationship. Of course, this would change by the end of the movie.

Chris Chandler was a very inquisitive reporter. He represented curiosity, because he was willing to drive a long distance, just to find out information about a story. A story that will not make him any money. Chris was a very proactive person, only needing his own approval to take a certain action. His curiosity drove him to commit a good deed.

Finally, the stranger named Mr. Thorsen represented kindness. He gave his brand new Jaguar to Chris, just to pay it forward. A bit unrealistic, yes, but a great action to represent kindness. Being kind usually starts a positive chain reaction, and this kind deed by a stranger caused Chris to heighten his sense of curiosity about the ‘Pay it Forward’ situation.

If you are a fan of truly inspiring movies, then I am sure that “Pay it Forward” has a chance to be on your top movies list. Each character represents so many ideas, making it a very special movie. Although quite sad, “Pay it Forward” is sure to contain great life lessons for everyone.

I’ve read hundreds of character development tips, and most are very good. Making a list of character features is great, but generally your characters come from you. I’m not suggesting you make all your characters the same, but I am suggesting that most of your characters come from your personal experience.

How do I begin character development?

Start with yourself. Put yourself in a situation in which you wouldn’t normally be involved. What would you do if you were walking down the street and a midget wearing a mask pulled a knife and stabbed you in the knee. Would you cry, laugh, scream, or gimp away as fast as your injured knee could carry you? Why did he do the dirty deed? What did you do to make him mad? Is he mad enough to keep stabbing you as you run away? How will you get help?

An Exercise

Write five or six paragraphs about the situation mentioned above without putting any physical characteristics into either character or any other characters that enter the scene. Use only those descriptions already mentioned. Use action to describe the scene. What did you imagine? How much damage was done?

Go ahead and do the above exercise. I’ll wait.

I’m still waiting…

Are you done?

Okay, now describe each character as you imagined them. In your mind’s eye you developed a vision of your characters as the action proceeded. Write down those qualities. Congratulations, you are on your way to character development.

Many qualities are defined by the actions of your protagonist and antagonist. Many times I leave the details to the reader. Most people have an idea how a smart beautiful woman looks. Let them enjoy their vision. Use only descriptions that are necessary for the story. Don’t get bogged down in unnecessary details.

One hard fast rule I always keep is to make the character consistent. Once a characteristic is set don’t change it. Don’t change the protagonist in mid-story unless there is an important lesson to be learned by the change. People are creatures of habit. Don’t change the character to fit the story. Change the story to fit the character. If the protagonist isn’t able to accomplish his goal, maybe you need to introduce a helper.

What does your protagonist need to accomplish. What are his fears. What are the obstacles to his happiness. What does he fear worse than death? What does he love more than life itself?

What is the hero’s self image. Is he filled with self loathing? Is he egotistical?

People read fiction to be entertained. They don’t want to be bored by minutiae. They want to experience joy, fear, love, hate, triumph, or a myriad of other emotions. Use action to gain insight into your characters. They won’t let you down.

Copyright 2010 J-me

Great leaders obviously must possess numerous characteristics, traits and personal qualities. While there is no doubt that professionally designed leadership training is a paramount ingredient in formulating the knowledge of a leader, it predominantly addresses issues involving strategy, and is limited as to what it can do to enhance someone’s character. General Norman Schwarzkopf, a man often known as “Stormin’ Norman, because of his never – give – up attitude, explained it this way, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.” There is no doubt, and I have often spoken of, and written about the significance of strategy and its impact on strategy, but unless a leader’s character is pure and he has absolute integrity, his impact and potential accomplishments will always be limited.

1. Strategy and strategic planning is obviously essential for effective leadership. However, if someone in a leadership position cannot motivate others to buy into his vision, his goals and dreams, and understand both his actions and his reasoning, the best strategy in the world will often go by the waste side.

2. There is never any substitute for sterling character. By definition, leaders must lead others, and why would anyone follow someone who they did not believe in, or feel cared about them, and had the best interests of their organization in mind? A leader’s character is what determines his mindset, and that mindset invariably determines the actions we take. Character, especially in leadership, means putting the best interest of the organization and its constituents, supporters and donors first, and being led by providing value to those he governs. A character – inspired leader leads because he has an emotional connection and tie to his group, and that means he always tries to do the right thing.

Obviously, if a leader only has character, his decision – making capabilities can be limited by his lack of knowledge, planning, preparation, and inability to effectively or intelligently strategize. Great leaders must understand the need for strategy, but a leader with character who is not the best strategic planner, would still have the ability to surround himself with talented advisers, thus being able to implement effective strategy. On the other hand, if a leader does not possess the strength of character and integrity that is needed, his strategy may not always be value – based, and thus his organization and those involved would be adversely impacted. If one finds a leader in possession of both the proper character as well as the strategic planning essentials, cherish him!