From Pixel to Prose

When it comes to writing, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach—especially in character development. Over the years, I’ve delved into numerous blogs and guides, each offering valuable insights. But, as a writer who starts with characters first, my journey has always been a bit… different. Instead of letting a plot shape my characters, I let my characters shape the plot. This method might seem unconventional, but it’s brought my characters to life in ways I never imagined.

You might (or may not) wonder what it means exactly. Well, what I mean is… I usually let my character exist first and wait for them to tell me who they are (or shout) and what kind of life they will live.

I know it might not make sense, but trust me… give me a few minutes of your time, and who knows? This might work for you!

I like stories, but there’s nothing I love more than characters. I’ve read and watched many stories in my short life, and, yes, even if there are exciting plots, interesting stories, or terrible ones, there is usually something that sticks with me in the long term, long after the last page. And these are… you guessed it: characters. Even if the story was a trainwreck, sometimes I can still root for some characters.

After roleplaying for so many years and crafting more than 150+ characters (yeah, I’ve been busy), I’ve come to the realization that I have a particular pattern behind this. I realized that I usually let the character create itself and tell me the story they wish to tell.

Based on my gathering what I’ve read and seen others doing, I’ve noticed a tendency to start with the story and craft the characters needed to fit said story. Let me rephrase it better: Most conventional advice suggests starting with a plot or theme and then developing characters to fit within that narrative framework. This usually means creating a protagonist with clear goals and conflicts that drive the story forward.

But I don’t like to do that. It might mean taking longer and spending many more hours than needed to complete this, but I usually start with: “Tell me who you are.”

I love games for this particular reason: they provide a great opportunity to craft the type of character you might like to play with all kinds of physical attributes to turn this character into the closest self-inserted copy of yourself or complete opposites. Some of them offer an opportunity to randomize the selections and provide something that might be unique (or not). I also like to pay attention to all kinds of NPCs within the games; sometimes, there is one that catches my eye and makes me daydream. What do I mean by that? That makes my neurons fire, and I start thinking about the backstory of this NPC.

How do I start? I like to see all the available choices, push the extremes, and find the most random combinations with a blank mind. I don’t like to force the ideas of what I want, I try to let the options talk to me. In this sense, I try to see how the character would look with a voluminous and curvy body against a thin one, tall and short, long hair, short hair, with a bang or no bangs (if available), with regular and simple blond hair to bright neon green. Tattoos? No tattoos. What about scars? And no scars.

And just like that, slowly but surely, I start hearing potential voices that would match the face and body that is becoming alive in my brain. I start hearing phrases this character would say and matching what I see with potential background stories. A scar on the lip?

Common advice includes:

• Creating character arcs: How characters change throughout the story.
• Developing backstories: Providing history that motivates their actions.
• Balancing strengths and flaws: Ensuring characters are complex and relatable.
• Using dialogue and actions: To reveal character traits and emotions.

I’m not saying this is inherently wrong; I’m just saying that I like to do it differently. Why? My goal is to roleplay with these characters before they are established within a specific story and plot.

Once I decide how this new character looks (including their outfit), I continue with the name that fits their personality. I know that writers usually think of a name first, but I’m not one of those… clearly. I like to use names I can pronounce, and those are dyslexia-friendly for me because I’m horrible with names, and more often than not, I spell them wrong. Even a name as simple as Kie… dammit… I did it again… [*Clears throat*. Again] Even as simple as “Keir,” I’ll spell them wrong (proving my point).

Creating Character Arcs

These characters tell me that if they are a helpless cause and no matter what happens to them, they will refuse to change. It doesn’t mean they won’t change or will change. It’s how they will approach life and its changes that matter to me. They will surprise me.

But also, I have characters who do not change without trying, instead, are the people around them who change because of them, becoming the catalyst for others.

This really depends on the characters and how they develop through time. I’ve had characters that, even at their worst and best, their mentality doesn’t change much; they are as stubborn as ever because it’s part of who they are or they think they are, even when the expectation is for them to change, they won’t and that it is in itself a flaw.

Developing Back Stories

I essentially allow my characters to reveal themselves to me, almost like unwrapping layers of a story that already exists within them. It’s a deeply intuitive and observant approach, much like how Michelangelo saw the angel in the marble.

My method of studying personality theories and recognizing patterns is what gives my characters that real, lived-in quality. By listening to how they speak, act, and react, I’m ensuring that they aren’t just placeholders in my stories but true, vibrant beings with their own unique voices and habits.

Developing Strengths and Flaws

I breathe life into them by coordinating with my friends, presenting them before others, and allowing this character to tell me how they think and feel. In other words, they need to roleplay with other characters and learn from others and themselves during missions.

It’s also about interaction and gaining new perspectives, which adds depth and realism to the characters. It’s both an exciting and enriching experience.

It only takes a little while before I start noticing their motivations, speech patterns, and the little quirks that make them unique. This immersion helps me fully embody the characters, ensuring their presentation is authentic and convincing.

Using Dialogue and Actions

It turns this internal monologue into an interactive experience that I’ve come to love so much. My friends ask questions, challenge the character, and engage in conversations that reveal more about who the character is. This process helps to uncover any inconsistencies or areas that need more depth.

Anyway, that’s all for me. Share your thoughts and comments below!