As author's we will write stories involving characters. It is important to give depth to the character, making them more life-like and believable. So, as authors, it is our job to incarnate our character's inner life. Give the physical to infer the spiritual. Give the exterior to show the interior. Watching the character act and move around a place allows the reader to see something about the character's inner character.
How is this done?
First, the voices of the characters, what they say, and how they say it, says a lot about the character. We learn about characters by how they talk.
Show the way your character walks. Does your character walk with their hands behind their back? If so, this is very Prince Charles-esque, and the reader would assume your character is very comfortable with themselves. Where else could they hold their hands? Pockets? Back pockets? Arms folded? each says something different about your character.
How does your character sit? Do they sit on the edge of their seat? Or, is the character turned away on their seat, not facing the other people? One shows listening intently. The other shows a lack of caring. There are so many ways your character can sit. But, the question to ask is, does your character have a distinctive way of sitting that says something about them?
How does your character greet (or say goodbye) to people?
How does your character hold their hands in a social setting. Certain ways send certain messages.
How does your character hold their head? Is it nodding? Tilted? Hanging?
All of these don't have to be used, but they are part of a writers toolbox. As is everything I write about on this blog, these are tools that you can adapt to your own writing needs. You might use all of it; or you might use none of it. Stay tuned for more ideas on character building!
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