For Writers: How to Ask Your Character Hard Questions
by DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills Some of our character�s traits are easy to discover. Physical description, food preference, a career choice, favorite color or food, wants, goals, and other basic attributes that can be revealed in a non-threatening manner. Life experiences that had painful physical, mental, or emotional outcomes are often hidden beneath a character�s facade. Sometimes those events are shoved to a dark corner of the mind, and many times they are not topics for discussion. The writer can�t address issues if she doesn�t know what they are. How does a writer force a character to be transparent? Once we understand the character psychologically, we can better predict the response to uncomfortable situations. The character will show us the answers to hard questions before telling us. The following steps will help a writer discover deep-rooted traits resulting from wounds. Establish the character�s personality. Many excellent solutions are available for personality...