Character Responses

WRITING EXERCISE - week one

What to learn more about your characters? Need help developing uniqueness between their voices?

Write a line of dialogue to be said to your main character. Write a response from your character. Use the same line of dialogue to see how your sidekick would respond to the same prompt. Continue until you have a variety of responses from each character when given the same prompt.

Example:

Prompt: "You've never been good at making plans."

• Main Character (e.g., Will)'s response: "Well, we made it."

• Deuteragonist/Sidekick (e.g., Chris)'s response: "At least I had a plan."

• Love interest (e.g., Julia)'s response: "I've never actually had to make one before."

• Other characters' responses:

  • Riley: "I'm sorry."

  • Oliver: "You've never been too good at following them."

  • Dallas: "I don't need one."

  • Alisa: "I know."

  • Sean: "It would have worked just fine if I'd been alone."

Try to make sure each character’s response is unique. Ask the question, “Would they respond with patience or arrogance? Sarcasm or humility? Why?”

Have fun!

Keep changing the world through words.

Samantha