I’m working on character flaws at the moment and came across this note that offers lots to ponder:
Character is what you do when you know that no one can see what you are doing.
So I’m pondering.
Came back to add this question – what does your character do when no one is looking?
I decided to try to do this with a rapid, first thought that came into my head on some characters I’m getting to know. It was interesting because one of them gave me an idea for a scene.
M – picks his nose
B – pulls the leaves off of flowers
C – steals from his dad
D – ah well, the idea that I had no thoughts about what D would do only further proves I have no handle on this character. He is too nice, too good, too perfect and not real at all.
That’s so true, isn’t it?
We have that saying stenciled on the wall in my old school.
I don’t remember where I first heard but it pops into my head at times and every time I think….hmmm…this would help my writing and I leave it alone. But this time I decided to follow the thought process and it has been interesting.
Oooh, I think that means ‘D’ will be the most fun for you to write! It’s the boring ones that always have the juiciest secrets.
Oh don’t I wish. “D” hasn’t told me his secret in oh, 20+ years!
Oh I like this. I’m going to go ask all my main and side characters: What do you do when I can’t see you?
Evocative…
I was surprised at the reactions in me at the different characters and more so after I thought about “D” based on another reply below. Wow – I think it was there all along.
Hmm…
Boy, I had to really think, and I’m still not sure. And I think that I actually know my MC fairly well.
I think what he does is let his anger or frustration show. ??
Re: Hmm…
It’s that not sure thing that frustrates the heck out of me! So if your MC only lets his anger or frustration show when no one is looking he must really struggle to hold it in around people, eh?
D: Perhaps he is a good kid — but struggles with pride. Doing the right thing is not boring — it’s hard. Perhaps that’s his flaw. He thinks of himself better than the others.
Peace,
Donna
Oh Donna.
Oh oh Donna.
I read this when you posted it and meant to reply but got pulled away from the computer. So then I kept thinking about it and thinking about D and one line from your comment really clicked with me – “Doing the right thing is not boring — it’s hard.”
And you’re right and this works on so many levels that I needed it to work on. Wow!
Thank you for saying something that caused me to look at the story in a different way.