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Notes From an Amateur Writer #53

This Blog series is an exercise in creative writing. Sometimes expressed in short story form, sometimes as a journal, or just my thoughts written down. It is a nursery of sorts for the stories that are on their way, or yet to be written.

This is post 28 in @dragosroua's January 30 day writing challenge.

Finding the Right Character For the Job

"Next applicant please." I poked my head out of the office door, holding it just slightly ajar. I quickly took in the scene in front of me. A room full of anxious and eager individuals, patiently awaiting their turn. My reception space was not an ideal location for such a crowd. I hadn't anticipated doing anything quite like this. I guess it had been a spur of the moment decision. I was used to just sitting in my office, quietly tapping away at my laptop, minding my own business. And my characters evolved from my mind, from the time I spent moulding and shaping them. But this time I decided to mix that all up. I decided to interview applicants for the role of lead character. What could possibly go wrong?

A young man stepped forward towards the door, "that'll be me." He smiled slightly and looked me firmly in the eye. Confident, relaxed, straight posture – was this what I was looking for? I opened the door further and invited him in. He followed me in, before stopping in the centre of the room and scanning his environment. He seemed to be breathing in his surroundings, not so much taking them on board, as making them a part of his DNA. Interesting, not quite what I had in mind, but maybe if I make some changes to the story. Or plan a completely new story.

"My name is Connor." He held out his hand to me. Taking control already. I reciprocated and completed the gesture. His grip was firm, bit not overly so. Just enough to let me know he was there, centred and paying attention.

"Pleased to meet you Connor," I said. "My name is Scott. Take a seat." I pointed to a second chair I had placed in the room for the applicants to use. I sat at my regular seat and faced him, casually, ready to have an informal, but important chat.

"I'm writing a story," I said, starting to explain the same spiel I had already given several times. And I think I had many more to go. Unless Connor was what I was looking for. I proceeded to tell him more of my idea. He listened carefully, watching me as I explained just what his role would entail. He nodded at the correct spots, scratched his ear a couple of times, but mostly sat still and received the information without hesitation.

I had already interviewed many applicants, and none were what I was looking for. Too tall, too short, too awkward, too smelly – I knew exactly what type of character I was trying to write, but how do I breath life into him. Make him become real. Leap out onto the page, merge with the story that I wish to write. Claim ownership of the page and invite the reader into a relationship of value.

"Explain the character arc to me. Tell me more about him." Character arc? None of the previous applicants had mentioned those two words. Not together. He's done his homework. I had mapped out the basics of who the lead character is as he enters the frame. Obviously he gets knocked about by something. And bingo, we have a story. He has to be pushed enough to grow. Win the day or not, who he is at the end determines to a large degree whether my story will be worth spending time with. I'm an author, I should know these things.

I proceeded to explain what I had already developed with regards to the lead character. Was I being interviewed by my character? Had the roles been reversed?

Connor shook his head. "You're missing some vital moments. Something is a bit flat."

"Really?" He knows about character arcs, and he's judging mine as somewhat lacking.

Connor explained to me his thoughts. Threw in some suggestions for leading the character astray. "Add some intrigue, suspense, challenge him," he said. "Challenge me."

I want to write a complex story. Sit down and tap away until my fingers bleed. Make the actors leap of the page. Connor had given me some tips. My search for a better lead character had delivered in ways I never expected. Would he want the job? I had to find out.

"So you've seen what I have in mind so far. Obviously, as you have rightly pointed out, there is still some work to do. But having said that, are you interested in taking the job?"

"I think it was written for me," he said. I think it had almost been written by him, but I kept that to myself.

I think I heard it said once that a good character will almost write themselves. Either that or I made that up somewhere along the way. I've often wondered if it was true or not. Seems Connor had arrived on the scene to teach me that perhaps there just was some truth in it. Now all I had to do was get to know him better. He has an important role to play, and I have an important story to write.

Images sources from unsplash.com and used with permission.

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