Following Angie Powers’ simply marvelous exercise about shame & sketchy characters on Friday, I want to give a few minutes worth of attention to the notion of reporting. Reporting is not just for journalists and other writers of nonfiction. Reporting is a state of mind: it is “news” gathering, research, and an invaluable skill to attain. And it is a skill, and yes, you can acquire it.
Reporting is another way of saying, pay attention, make observations, notice things. Is your character dressed?
Sober?
Forgetful?
A kleptomaniac?
Does he or she watch TV?
Eat anything besides raison oatmeal cookies and pizza?
Married?
Pets?
Then write the answers down.
Luckily, I’ve got a few notches in my belt in this area as a former reporter. I was a certain kind of reporter: crime and government. Sometimes, these areas overlapped but mostly, they were two distinct groups of people and were “reported” differently. Crime reporting dabbled in details of landscape: where did this take place? what time of day? who watched and did nothing? What was taken? Who was hurt? How will this be prevented in the future?
And Government reporting handled more details of process: Why did they vote for that? Who bribed them? What are the consequences to the taxpayer as a result of that transaction? Will the mayor get re-elected? Why does that matter?
Over the years, I found that the skills specific to crime reporting and covering politics & government are just as helpful to a writer of fiction. Just because you’re making it up (for all you fiction writers), doesn’t mean you can’t ask the questions of your characters. The answers are necessary for you to come up with a well-rounded picture of your character. Here are the ten questions you should know the answers to – it’ll turn your imaginary friend into a flesh and bone reality, someone who you can interview further and in the process, write your book.
- how old are you? do you look your age or older?
- where were you born? And does your family still live there day? did you grow up near your birthplace?
- Did you go to school? Finish? Spell? Read? Speak Spanish? French? Russian? Why?
- Children? Married? Adulterer?
- Work? As what? Laid-off? Fired? Promoted?
- Convicted of speeding? Parking illegally? Shoplifting? Breaking & entering?
- Extracurricular activities? Water polo? Horseback riding? Skateboarding? Cow-tipping?
- Play an instrument? Well? Musically illiterate? Did your mom make you take lessons?
- Plotting revenge against your first boyfriend? Or planning his wife’s baby shower?
- What stations do you listen to on the radio when you’re on a road-trip? Who’s in the car with you? Who did you drop off by the side of the road?