How does he get along with underlings?

Find Your Character Through Their Profession

English, No. 5, p. 39

For many people, work defines aspects of their lives. The same is true of characters. Who would Jane Rizzoli (in Tess Gerritson’s books) be without her job as a homicide detective? Would Harry Dresden be as interesting as a wizard if he weren’t a private detective? Probably not. If Lisbeth Salander wasn’t so adept at computer research and job as a surveillance agent with Milton Security, would The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo have been the same? Easy answer. Nope. Atticus Finch had to be a lawyer bent on racial justice in To Kill a Mockingbird, didn’t he? Absolutely. His job adds meaning and power to the story and depth to his character.

What your character does is an important piece of who he is. Below are some writing prompts to help you dig into your character and find your story through your character. Answer these questions as the author, the narrator, or go into character and use his or her voice to reveal what is within. Use these prompts as exercises, basis for a discussion with your character, interview questions (to get the answers in your character’s voice) for entries into a character voice journal.

What is your character’s job?

Who is his employer? (Big corporation, small company, or is he his own boss?)

What drew him into this line of work?

Is this his chosen career?

Did he need schooling for this career?

What was that like for him?

Was he happy learning the job?

Were there challenges for a newbie? What were they?

Is this his first job, or has he had others in this line of work?

If others, why did he leave his last position? Was there trouble? Was he dissatisfied?

Or is he climbing up the ladder?

Does he have career dreams and aspirations beyond this job?

What does he do to that end?

How is he thwarted? How is he successful?

Or does he see himself here forever?

Does he feel this job is a stepping stone? Or dead end?

Does he enjoy this work?

Why or why not?

What does he get (other than a salary) from his work?

What need (or lack within) does this job fill?

What does his work mean to him?

Does he have a sense of accomplishment?

Frustrations? Of what nature?

Is he good at this job?

Is he suited to this job? To this career?

Why or why not?

What skills does he have to make him suited for this job?

What skills does he lack that cause him challenges?

How does he get along with his boss?

Are their interactions satisfying? Conflicting? Why?

Are all interactions candid and direct or are some parts surreptitious? Why?

How does he respond to authority?

How does he get along with peers on his level?

Does he work well with others?

How does he see them? As allies? Threats? Friends? Potential dates?

Are his interactions with his peers satisfying? Conflicting?

Are all interactions candid and direct or are some parts surreptitious? Why?

Are there any power struggles between him and any others?

Are any of these peers important to the story? How?

How does he get along with underlings?

How does he see them? As allies? Threats? Friends? Potential dates?

Are his interactions with his underlings satisfying? Conflicting?

Are all interactions candid and direct or are some parts surreptitious? Why?

Are there any power struggles between him and others?

Are any of these underlings important to the story? How?

By Kathy Steffen

Award-winning novelist Kathy Steffen teaches fiction writing and speaks at writing programs across the country. Additionally, Kathy is also published in short fiction and pens a monthly writing column, Between the Lines. Her books, FIRST THERE IS A RIVER, JASPER MOUNTAIN and THEATER OF ILLUSION are available online and at bookstores everywhere. Check out more at www.kathysteffen.com

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 894