Character Creation: The Art of Seeing Yourself
This image is from Google search. No copyright infringement is intended. Reflections of the past by Tom Hussey
Stunning.
Absolutely breathtakingly poignant.
The art of Tom Hussey and his REFLECTIONS of the Past, is one of the most inspirational and intriguing visual representation of character I have ever seen.
The craft of character creation and development as a writer takes on a three dimensional flavor as fiction writers craft rich characters from imagination and glimpses into varied experiences. Readers can’t help but wonder how characters feel and react with such authentic realism from the pages of a novel.
As a writer and an artist, a reader and an illustrator, photography and illustrations like Tom Hussey creates, stir my soul. Don’t they captivate your imagination?
Although I hope you finish this article before popping over to his website to gaze at the many characters and their reflections of their own past lives, please stay awhile longer and reflect what you can bring to your reader’s experience as you explore the lives of the individuals—the characters—you design.
Now, I assume writers write what they know. So it goes without saying that many of your characters will have bits and pieces of your personality, your quirks, your fears, and your aspirations. You may write characters based on some element of someone you met at one point in your personal timeline. Or you may carve from the traits of popular icons of the cinema or classic literature and extract a portion of your favorite villain’s persona for your next novel.
But, whatever you do, whatever you create, and whatever you imagine, it must come from some snippet of reality whether seen in the movies, on your front porch, or in the confines of your own home. So embrace both the beauty and wonder of character life as well as expose the ugly, sinister side of evil, and you will find the art of seeing—of seeing yourself and others through the lens of character creation.
I pray you enjoy—and geek out—on your next project and see just a little of your distinctiveness in the characters you create.
Page 1 Character Sketches Worksheet
To help you visualize, here is a two-page character sketch worksheet you are welcome to download and use for your personal research. Please keep my website name on your copy if you choose to share with others. And, if you’d like the excel version so you can add to the worksheet, please subscribe. You will receive a password protected page to download several resources and artwork for your personal use.
Blessings. And write on in the wonderful art of seeing yourself through your character sketches.
I hope you enjoyed this article and would take a minute to read one more article to give my website some extra love and attention. I’d appreciate your comments. Thanks!
Written by Patricia Tiffany Morris
Your assignment this week, should you choose to accept, is to look in the mirror and find a glimmer of your next character creation in the image. May you learn more about yourself as you write for others.
Page 2 Character Sketches Worksheet
MY PLATFORM:
I have a small website, and several social media accounts. My hope and prayer is that you would be blessed by learning a few tips to make your writing journey a little easier. But most critical, I pray you take time to pray and ask the Lord how He would have you spend you time today. I trust he will guide and direct you.