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CM 3: Syd Profiles People
What I’ve learned that is improving my writing is that characters innately have traits and making them extreme highlights their transformational journey.
Choose three people
Person 1
Entertainer
Capacity for compassion
Manipulative / Controlling
Fearful
Person 2
Creative
Responsible
Low self-esteem
Alcoholic
Person 3
Creative
Passionate
Spoiled
Critical — projects fears onto others
Interactions
Person 1
Entertainer — absolutely! Always has a story to tell. Very funny. Extroverted — wants to be the center of the party, and often good at being the center. Great cook and host (partially because she wants it done her way), could have been a successful actress.
Capacity for compassion — wants to help people, but sometimes tries to control the situation, assuming she understands the situation better than the person with the problem.
Manipulative / Controlling — tells people she’s an influencer. Encourages people to be vocal about it, if she’s helped them. Justifies it when she breaks a confidence (“I’m helping.”)
Fearful — relives past, expects the pain of the past to repeat; wants to control people so they won’t leave her life — ends up pushing them away because she’s controlling.
Person 2
Creative— when she picked up a paint brush late in life, started cranking out painting and never stopped; creativity came out in certain ways prior — style, decor, entertaining — but never believed these were a priority
Responsible — always on time (a few minutes early); if something is to be done, it’s to be done correctly; high standards for herself whether at home or work.
People pleaser — speaks in an indirect manner; tries to get her needs met by convincing others that they want what is in line with what she needs; at her worst — she throws accusations, guilt trips to get what she wants/needs.
Maybe there’s a different definition for this one.
Low self-esteem — when became a widow, single-mother and fell into poverty, she struggled with addiction; when overwhelmed, finds it hard to ask for help.
Person 3
Creative — innovative projects that brought great deal of success
Passionate — works for disenfranchised people with whom she relates; does her research and produces amazing work
Spoiled — well taken care of young woman, well-educated — became successfully fast once she launched; people took obstacles out of her way, preventing persona growth
Critical — projects fears onto others; will recognize this, but only after she’s shot her mouth off
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3 Replies
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Hey Sydney, I like how you set this up. You must have a logical mind. It’s so organized. I like the contrast between the characters. I think when we do traits that we go for what creates conflict between them. I read in one of the assignments something about a regular character has three traits that are seemingly normal with one trait being somewhat negative. I think you have done that or almost. Very good. Opposites attract. The goal is to transcribe them on paper the way you have here. Good luck with your project and assignments. Karen Crider
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Hey Karen:
Thanks for your comments. I’m having a hard time posting. I wasn’t sure anyone could see my stuff. I’m glad you were able to. Will try to get some comments out.
Cheers, Syd
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Tom Profiles People
What I’ve learned that is improving my writing is it isn’t easy identifying a person’s traits but it’s essential to write characters who appear genuine.
John
Possible traits:
– Suspicious – wants to know details because he fears someone’s taking advantage
– Rescuer – likes to step in and solve problems for those he likes– Vengeful – will stop being with anyone who he believes isn’t a decent person
– Sensitive – quizzes anyone who seems patronizing
Scott
Possible traits:
– Stubborn – insists the rules are followed
– Suspicious – wants to be sure someone’s not breaking the rules
– Annoying – asks too many questions instead of being friendly
– Curious – looks into things that might get him in trouble if found outEd
Possible traits:
– Excitable – thinks it’s exciting is to work with celebrities
– Worrier – believes if anything can possibly go wrong, it always will
– Skeptical – When he hears something unusual, he asks lots of pointed questions.
– Scared – fears someone will ask something he doesn’t know and he’ll look bad
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