Character Journal

As I am writing my research project on Diaries and Journals I would be remiss if I didn't interject with this fabulous tool. Keeping a character journal is more akin to keeping your Character's Journal. Written entirely from their point of view it helps you get a better understanding for your protagonist.

You can take the time to grab a hardbound journal or set up a blog, but you want it to be something you write in at least once a week.

Think of it as a first person free write. Maybe after you have walked away from a hard situation in your writing, to permit yourself to understand the 'why's" behind a characters actions. Just let the character speak for him- or herself. What your character journals about will be different from day to day and character to character.

Start with a sentence. Like: "I need to get out more." or "I hate my mother." And run with it, but from their point of view, not your own, and always in the first person.

It will take practice to learn to turn off your author’s and personal voices completely enough to hear the character’s voice, but this really is one of those areas in which practice makes perfect. Don’t let the initial awkwardness of trying to find a character voice keep you from trying.

Or from continuing to journal. Sooner or later, the character will show up. And, sooner or later, he or she will be begin opening up try to coax specifics, it will help you in writing the generals and give you a more rounded character perspective and voice.