Since NaNoWriMo is only a couple weeks away, Fable and the Verbivore are having a three-part conversation that unpacks prep work that we do prior to writing.

Today, we talk about character development and questions and methods that we’ve used to help figure out who our characters are and what motivates them to act.

In this episode, we discuss some different approaches to connect with your characters and work towards finding out what they want, need, fear, and avoid. We recognize that there are many ways to approach this process. Here are a few that we touch on:

Save social media posts that feel quirky and distinctive - maybe even like a character you have in mind

Write down snippets of overheard conversations that feel interesting and connected to your story or sound like your character

Look your character metaphorically in the eye, see them

Directly interview (ask questions to) your characters

Listen for the distinctive voice of your characters

Give yourself and your characters the space and time to discover hidden truths

Get introspective and check in with yourself as to what feels authentic for your character

Fill out character sheets

Embody your characters, as an actor would

Pull tarot cards to see what ideas spark with your characters

Ask yourself how each of your characters would react in a bar fight

These are just a few ideas to try out and there are a myriad of other options out there to use to explore, develop, and connect with your characters. And absolutely any method that works is valid, no matter how strange it may seem. :-)

We hope you enjoy this episode! Keep reading, writing, and putting your voice out there!

Into the woods,

Fable & The Verbivore