Digging Deep, Very Deep, Is How To Create A Memorable Character.
Peter Pan, Han Solo, Ebenezer Scrooge, Harry Potter, Captain Ahab, Sydney Carton, Darth Vader, Scarlett O’Hara. I’ll wager every reader recognizes these names and could, at least in a fuzzy way, draw a verbal sketch of each character’s nature. Why is that? Well, perhaps it’s because these characters share at least one thing in common…they’re fully developed and memorable. Is that important? Apparently. In Writing the Breakout Novel, Donald Maas says…
“Great characters are the key to great fiction. A high-octane plot is nothing without credible, larger-than-life, highly developed enactors to make it meaningful.
…depth is the secret of memorable characters. Depth is the degree of detail you bring to your people.
One-dimensional characters are flat, simply motivated and always act in character. Fully rounded, three dimensional characters have many sides, complex motives and act in ways that surprise us.
Not many would argue with these assessments. Getting your characters to this nirvana, however, is another matter…and it’s not easy.
Essentially, you need to create a character from the ground up with a full blown back story, most especially with motivations, flaws, weaknesses, and strengths. In other words a “fully rounded” physiological profile. You need to be inside your character’s head from early in his/her life to right now…and know the character so well, that you can realistically move the character to react and behave. That is, nothing they do is a surprise…to you.
Generating this kind of intimacy is difficult, almost daunting…and it’s very time intensive. That’s why most writer’s don’t do much of it…and sometimes, their characters–and story–suffer.
Is there a short cut? Is there an easy route to Nirvana? Yes, there is. One way is through software. The best in class is, Character Writer, by Typing Chimp Software.
Character Writer is based on Enneagram. The following is from the Character Writer help screens…
The name in Greek literally means "the nine diagram." The system is based on the fact that all human personalities can be deduced to nine basic types. (Kindley adds: See a description of each here.) Enneagram, has been developed into an astoundingly accurate tool.
How does Character Pro use the Enneagram?
Character Pro takes the basic concepts of the Enneagram and incorporates them into a system developed by a professional writer to create realistic character spines.All the difficult connections and building of the character spine is done by the program. You simply fill in basic information, and a unique character spine is generated.
The program then guides you through the process of developing that spine into a real person that will leap off the pages of your story.
Okay, now, the bad news. This classy, high-powered program cost $70 bucks. Yep, it costs money and not a small amount of it. BUT, before you click away, there are a couple of free tricks to consider. Read carefully…
There is a free trial download. It’s not time limited. The trial program is fully functional; you simply can’t save what you create. However, you can create an entire character, or set of them.
Can you use the information you generate? Sure 
can. Does Typing Chimp Software recognize this…”workaround?” Surely they do. Nonetheless it’s the path they’ve chosen. I’m thinking they believe once you get to using the software, you’ll like it so much, you’ll find a way to spring for the cost. The other thought is you’ll generate a volume of information about your character. You’ll want to save it…someway. One way is to buy the program.
A second point. The website has a terrific section called, “The Learning Center.” Lots of detailed character development information presented in a clear and distinct manner. There’s even a miniature character development tool. Click the link to go to the Typing Chimp Learning Center.
Lastly, the program’s help screens are chocked full of great information about character development. It’s good stuff, and…it’s free. Combined with the Learning Center, you’ll get as much free character development information as you would in a $15 dollar book.
Okay, there you have it. Perhaps Character Writer is something you can use…perhaps not. If nothing else, it’s another interest site on which to waste your valuable time…who said I’m not always thinking of you?
Themocracy
You’re always looking out for us, Galen! I do occasionally have some spineless characters…this sounds like a great tool to beef them up. Thanks!
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
You come up with the most interesting computer programs. I like the idea behind this one, and will probably spend the time I should be writing today at that site deciding if it’s a program I can easily operate or not. Thanks…I think.
Another good heads-up, Galen. (BTW, are you trying to tell us something by recommending software from a company called Typing Chimp?)
I find this idea totally fascinating. I am probably a total geek but I LOVE developing backstory and character psychology (probably my psych background). It’s also probably why CONFLUENCE was originally 800 pages–I gave enough background in the STORY so readers could buy their complexities.
Have you USED this program? Does it WORK? Does it give you small hints that get big things across? I just find the idea fascinating.
Yup – right up there with great plot is the depth, quality, and memorableness (is that a word?) of the main character(s). So now they got software to help out, eh? Doesn’t hurt to take a free look, I guess.
The Old Silly
What a marvelous program and one I’m sure many writers will use! I try to make my characters as realistic as possible but it certainly can be time-consuming. Shortcuts are always good, but I must admit I’m somewhat suspicious of them. I think, for now, I’ll keep my own bananas and forge ahead without the Typing Chimp. It’s a jungle out there!
Elspeth
Ha, Elizabeth, spineless characters is a good way to put it. Yeah, pretty sure this thing would help.
Well, Jane, I think it’s pretty easy to use. Pretty much holds your hand as you go through step by step. Gives you a roll up of information at the end. The demo is, of course, free.
I got a kick out of their name, too, Alan. Not sure where they got it. Maybe so easy, even a chimp could use it? I will skip the obvious cheap shots here. Though I am sorely tempted.
Hart–Yes, I’ve used it. Yep, it does work. Hints…Hmmm. Yes, I guess you could call it that, there are plenty of help screens that explain what is going on, plus, don’t forget the learning center link that gives even more guidance.
You bet, Marv, free is almost always good.
Okay, Elspeth, peeling your bananas is great. Maybe keep it in mind in case you get stuck some day. Another interesting experiment might be to try to draw a character you already have using the school solution. Do you get the same result. Just thought since it’s free to download and try.
Thanks to you all for stopping in…much appreciated.
How interesting. I had not heard of this program.
I’m going to check out the freebie, thanks!
Hi Galen, So many gadgets, so little time. Interesting use of the Enneagram, btw. That’s one of my Idiot’s Guides (The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Power of the Enneagram).
I’m reading the Breakout Novel now and LOVE it! I would recommend it over anything!
Yeah, Carolyn, it’s free to download, you just can’t save.
Well, Karen, dog my cats. Where you been at, girl? Good to see you again. Why am I not surprised you’d have written a book about Enneagram.
BN is a good read, Terri. There are lots of good reads out there. The more I look the more I find. Also, the more I discover I don’t know. Sigh.
My first thought is that a software program to develop character and make my character’s behavior predictable would take all the fun out of writing (for me). I’m challenged when my characters do something I wasn’t expecting. I’d love to hear reactions from anyone who uses this program.
Galen,
It comes up as noreply-comment and when I get your email comment in my inbox, I can’t automatically reply. When setting up blogger, I had to put my email address in the information and then it changed it so people could comment back to me directly rather than always going right back to my blog again especially if I haven’t posted again.
Interesting, Galen. Thank you for checking out these software helpers. I’ve never used it, but it sounds like a great way to start the foundation for a character. Sometimes, writers can forget to give their protagonist or “good” characters flaws.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Good tips, Galen. I have only one teeny problem with Maas’ line on characters: “One-dimensional characters…always act in character. …three dimensional characters…act in ways that surprise us.”
This is true, but should probably be given with a caveat or at least an explanation. Three dimensional characters may act in ways that surprise us, but the actions shouldn’t be outside of the person’s character. You can’t just have characters do random things because they’re surprising. Real people act in certain ways and choose certain actions because of who they are.
I’m not saying the character should be predictable…they shouldn’t. But a character should also be true to themselves.
If I sound iffy about this, it is because I am. On the one hand, I love well rounded characters and lots of them. On the other hand, I would rather the characters were developed from observation than through a software programme. But maybe I am just being too picky. Maybe I need to try out the programme before shooting my mouth off about it.
I’m new here, but the blog looks interesting.
I have used Ennegrams, Dramatica, Myers-Briggs, principles from Story (by Robert McKee) and other tools to help me create characters in my novels. If you liked Maass’ Writing the Breakout Novel, he’s also got a new one out that’s good, too, called ‘The Fire in Fiction.’
Creating characters is hard work. Basically, I think all memorable characters are to some degree *eccentric*. I read that somewhere, and I can’t think of an exception. If you think about all the characters mentioned here, they are eccentric to some degree. The hard work is being original about it.
Hope I’m not intruding here, just chiming in and offering some resources to check out.