All For Believing
By Jo Eberhardt | July 6, 2015 |
Picture by Flickr user Ted Eytan
When you look at the photo above, how do you feel?
Happy? Justified? Angry? Bemused? Bored? Exasperated?
This photo, and many like it, have been circulating on social media for the last nine days. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to find that there are many people amongst us who are sick of seeing it by now — nine days is a long time in the world of the internet. But, for others, feelings of rage or exuberance will continue every time they see an image like this.
Why? Because the image, and all it represents, hits them right where they live: in their Values and Beliefs.
Characters have beliefs, too
I’m not just talking about beliefs about same-sex marriage, but about a character’s core beliefs about themselves, the world, and their place in it. Those beliefs may be religious, spiritual, or moral. And, often, they’re all of the above.
Understanding our characters’ values and beliefs is key to understanding how they feel, how they react to the outside world, and what they will do when placed in a situation that either enforces or threatens those beliefs.
I’ve often read manuscripts where I’ve reached the end of the story and still found myself wondering what the protagonist really believes. And, much more often than that, I’ve found myself wondering what the antagonist really believes. As Keith Cronin wrote in his article back in May:
Most bad guys do not think of themselves as bad guys. They just have differing desires and motivations than the protagonist.
[pullquote]Understanding our characters’ values and beliefs is key to understanding how they feel, how they react to the outside world, and what they will do when placed in a situation that either enforces or threatens those beliefs.[/pullquote]
Understanding the antagonist’s beliefs and values is an integral part of writing a story that readers connect with.
Nobody believes anything in general
To paraphrase the ever-amazing Lisa Cron: “Nobody does anything in general.” When talking about values and beliefs, it’s important to look at the specifics of that belief.
For example, the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage resulted in an out-pouring of social media posts about people’s beliefs, but very few (probably none) of them said anything like: “I just generally believe this is a good/bad idea.”
No, people with the same general belief system reacted in specific ways — and sometimes those specific ways were very different indeed.
I saw people who started their post in exactly the same general way, end up in very different places. For example:
- Because I’m a Christian, I believe same-sex marriage is an affront to God, and this decision is proof that America is a modern-day incarnation of Sodom and Gomorrah.
- Because I’m a Christian, I believe that love is the greatest commandment, and this decision is proof that America is living by the precepts taught by Jesus.
The belief systems are the same, but the specifics of those beliefs couldn’t be further apart.
(Note: I’m not interested in a debate about same-sex marriage or religion in the comments. This is simply a timely example of general vs specific beliefs.)
It’s not enough to know that your protagonist is Christian, or Muslim, or Buddhist, or Atheist, or Pagan, or follows any other belief system. How does that belief system specifically affect their values, and their every day lives?
Belief does not (always) equal action
If there’s one thing we’re absolutely sure of by the end (actually, by the middle) of Harry Potter, it’s that Voldemort has an unshakeable belief that magic should be practiced only by pure-bloods. We know his specific belief, and we know exactly what he’s willing to do because of that belief. (Read: whatever it takes.)
But for every Lord Voldemort, I would lay money on there being plenty of other pure-blood wizards raging at the number of mud-bloods at Hogwarts, and then… posting inflammatory memes on WizardBook.
But we don’t want our books to be peopled with characters who sit back and post memes, we want active characters who do things based on their beliefs. So, ask yourself which of your characters’ beliefs inspire him or her to take action beyond complaining to their friends?
Which of your characters’ beliefs would inspire them to be like Voldemort, and do whatever it takes to achieve their ends?
If you find your protagonist passively flailing around, and you’re unsure what to do with him, just ask yourself: What Would Voldemort Do?
[pullquote]If you find your protagonist passively flailing around, and you’re unsure what to do with him, just ask yourself: What Would Voldemort Do?[/pullquote]
Finding the key
Often, we instinctively imbue our protagonists with values and beliefs. (And those values and beliefs often mirror our own.) But the same is not always true of our antagonist and secondary characters.
Take some time to sit down and get to know them — to work out what they really believe. It’s worth it. Once you know what they believe, their actions will not only make perfect sense, they’ll be the only possible action that character can take in those specific circumstances.
What are the specific beliefs that drive your protagonist and antagonist’s actions? Did understanding those beliefs come easily to you, or did you struggle to figure them out? What methods do you use to determine a character’s beliefs and values?
[coffee]
Jo Eberhardt is a writer of speculative fiction, mother to two adorable boys, and lover of words and stories. She lives in rural Queensland, Australia, and spends her non-writing time worrying that the neighbor’s cows will one day succeed in sneaking into her yard and eating everything in her veggie garden.
Excellent blog post. Thanks for reminding me to delve deeper into my character’s beliefs. And WHY they believe what they do.
Thanks so much, Carol. All the best with it.
Jo,
EXCELLENT article — truly cuppa-worthy. No matter the story (flash, short, novel-length, encyclopedic history of the world), I like to know my characters up-and-down. I’m still working on the 7.3 billion-person character development for the encyclopedia…
I do involved character studies on all my main and secondary characters; a little less on the background ones, but I know them, nonetheless. I’ve seen them in person on the park bench or bus or church or wherever. I know their histories as much as the story needs to know their histories.
Your examples — priceless. WWVD, WizardBook, the memes. I’m still chuckling. Heck, I’m lmao. The memes. Loved them. Thanks for the wit and wisdom.
Thanks, Mike. So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the cuppa! (You bought me vodka, right?)
Good luck on that 7.3 billion-person character development. Just remember: WWVD.
Not just any vodka, either — Fifty Shades of Grey Goose. You should really be able to tie one on.
The puns! The puns! They burn! :)
This is so timely. As I work on revisions I’m looking for ways to make my main character leap off the page. My character has deeply held beliefs but I’m not sure it’s there on the page (and it is key to the story). Thanks for helping me think about this in a fruitful way!
You’re welcome, Julie. Glad this struck a chord with you. Best of luck with your revisions!
Inspiring thoughts here, Jo. By methods you mean character profiles and histories? I see ML mentions “character studies.” I don’t have a planned method to determine my characters’ beliefs. I tend to discover my characters beliefs as I pound out that first draft. I often have a few fragments in mind about the characters’ values but it doesn’t become real for me until they are thinking and acting out in scenes or dialogue. I guess they tell me instead of me telling them how to think or feel about an issue. And of course, I believe them. I’d be interested in hearing what authors here have to say about their methods.
By “methods” I mean whatever works for you. If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that if you ask ten writers how they go about developing characters, you’ll get at least eleven replies. Sometimes twelve, if the Muse is having a good day. :)
Working out your characters’ values and beliefs as you write a first draft is similar to what I do, actually. I usually have to write about the characters a bit to fully understand them and their backstories. The trick, then, is making sure what’s in your head is what’s on the page when it comes to revision time.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Paula.
Another great post, Jo. I tend to see my characters act a certain way, and that helps me figure out why and what lies behind it. The cuppa is a thanks for your last post on writing one hour a day. It got me back on track and works well for me. I go over an hour some days, but when I need to be doing something else, I look at the time and think, Hey, I’ve done my hour!
Glad you enjoyed it, Carmel. And thanks for the cuppa — it’s much appreciated. I’m so happy to hear that writing one hour a day has you back on track and achieving your goals. Brings a smile to my face. Happy writing!
Jo–what you reflect on today and your observations on characters’ values deserve the attention of anyone who takes writing fiction seriously.
All I’ll add is a commonplace that seems worth repeating. Character development, and therefore characters’ values (you can’t have one without the other) are to some degree in competition with plot development.
As I see it, the real challenge facing genre writers is how to balance interesting plots against nuanced character creation. To the degree plots become more complex, they tend to draw the focus away from fleshing out and making meaningful the lives being lived in the story. The writer who can develop both intriguing plots and believable characters–and that means revealing the characters’ values–has accomplished something both difficult and worth doing.
I completely agree that character development and understanding character values go hand in hand — you certainly can’t understand the values and beliefs of a carboard cutout with a magic wand. So to speak. It’s always great to hear your viewpoint on these topics, Barry. Personally, I’m not quite sure how one would go about developing any kind of plot without nuanced character creation. But perhaps that speaks more for my specific way of creating stories than for any general writing methodology. :)
Jo–
Regarding “how one would go about developing any kind of plot without nuanced character creation”: I would point to the grand dame of mystery writers, Agatha Christie. When she focuses on a single character, as she does with Hercule Poirot, she produces a wonderfully eccentric, nuanced character. Otherwise, her characterizations don’t strike me as especially effective. It’s her plotting and expert treatment of settings that do the work.
Thanks for the great example, Barry. I do have to agree regarding Agatha Christie. Although I’ve read almost all of her work, I can’t say I remember any particular characters in great detail, barring the detectives themselves. Perhaps that’s a trait that crime and mystery stories share? And perhaps that’s why I don’t write crime or mystery — for me, the nuanced characters are the best part of writing.
I love this post. I’m writing in a time period (biblical) when people had way-down-deep beliefs, especially about people not from their cultural group, that affects their language, their behavior. I keep wanting to soften it a bit, but this post is a great reminder why I can’t.
Thanks, Natalie. I’m glad it struck a chord with you, and helped reinforce your beliefs. Next time you’re tempted to tone it down, just remember: WWVD.
Thanks for this great post, Jo. I’ve posted another sign near my computer: What Would Voldemort Do? Here’s to cow-free veggie gardens and characters with specific beliefs.
That sounds like the perfect writing toast, Rita! And I love that you’ve added a WWVD sign near your computer. Actually, it makes me giggle a bit, because I can’t imagine it’s something Ms Rowling would ever have imagined being a writing tool. :)
Excellent post, Jo! In particular, this point really hits home:
“…we want active characters who do things based on their beliefs.”
This is a real opportunity for us as writers, to create memorable characters who DO memorable things.
At one of Donald Maass’s excellent seminars, he pointed out that a very powerful thing to do with our characters is to let them “act out.” In other words, let them do and say the things we might only fantasize about. Their actions – even if they are more over-the-top than our own – can still be made believable by grounding them in that character’s particular belief system.
Very timely and specific post. Thanks for sharing your insights!
Thanks for commenting, Keith. When I attended Donald Maass’s seminar at the UnCon, that point was one (of many) that really hit home for me, too. It gave me one of those great epiphany moments, when I realised I had “permission” to let my characters do all those over-the-top things that I only think of doing, but can’t do in reality because of the social repercussions.
Happy writing!
Endeavoring to understand the deep beliefs of my characters, and the effect of those beliefs, is a slow and ongoing process. Striving toward understanding them has undoubtedly strengthened the themes of my work, and added depth and nuance to my stories. And I know I’m far from done exploring.
But beyond the effects on the page, there’s a side-benefit. I am seeking my own truths, striving toward my own understanding. And I’ve found writing fiction reveals more than any other means I’ve tried. Through my characters’ delving into politics and spirituality and destiny versus free will, I better understand my own feelings, and better recognize that which continues to elude my grasp.
Thanks for prodding the continuation of my digging, Jo.
Beautifully said, Vaughn, and I couldn’t agree more. They say writing is cheaper than therapy, and I’m inclined to agree. The more I delve into the depths of my characters’ souls, the more I learn about my own. Congratulations on continuing to dig. Happy writing.
Great post, Jo.
In real life I’m often struck by the profound way people think and react. I tend to believe I’m a firebrand thinker, but then I come across someone who makes my reactions mediocre, almost flat or deflated, and I am reminded how BIG life can be, and how people get crazy emotional when a topic hits home.
So important to find this,,,tipping point in your characters. Thanks for the reminder, Jo!
Dee Willson
Author of A Keeper’s Truth and GOT
Thanks so much, Denise.
Great post, Jo!
As I read Donald Maass and Lisa Cron over and over, and as I write and rewrite, and write again, to dig deeper into my soul and therefore into my stories, I have come to understand that belief systems are an integral key to not only the character, but to the writer and reader as well. Often, as I challenge a character’s belief system, I challenge my own, and inevitably the readers. Perhaps one the most powerful ingredients, maybe even the catalyst for all great stories = a belief system challenged, the furor over that fact, and the irrevocable changes that are the inevitable result.
This: “Perhaps one the most powerful ingredients, maybe even the catalyst for all great stories = a belief system challenged, the furor over that fact, and the irrevocable changes that are the inevitable result.”
Absolutely true in so many ways, both in writing and in life.
You’ve got me thinking.
My MC has a professional perspective: furniture does not have to look like what it is. When form wins over function there is no art. That is especially true of the curiosity cabinets he makes. They respect the collections they contain and comment upon them.
But that’s a dry artistic intention. It’s his human values that matter. There is a woman who once loved him deeply and because of that he feels gratitude and an obligation to her, even though they are no longer together. Love never truly dies and in the story he sets out to honor her gift of love and, finally, return it in a way he wasn’t able to before…and do so before it’s too late.
Breakups mostly leave us feeling bitter, relieved and dusting our hands. But we were loved. That is what we should remember. Does my MC act from that belief? I think so and hope readers will experience that.
Thanks for this post, which I’ll remember too.
I love the depth of your comment, Benjamin, and how much you’ve considered the reasons behind your MC’s beliefs and values. I think there’s something in there for everyone in remembering that “we were loved”, and I love the symbolic link between the love your MC has for this woman, and the love his curiosity cabinets have for the collections they contain. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Another great and timely post. For me, a story is all about what the characters believe, especially about themselves–how they’ve internalized various messages, and how those internalized messages become the reasons for specific behaviors.
Wrote one hour this morning, story is still moving along, and a cuppa is on its way! Thanks!
Thanks so much for the cuppa — much appreciated. I’m so glad that your one hour a day is working so well. And, yes, those internalised messages are key. If you haven’t read Lisa Cron’s Wired for Story, I highly recommend it. She talks at length about a character’s internalised messages by way of “misbeliefs” they have about themselves and the world.
Happy writing!
What would Voldemort do? Bahahaha, that was great!
Thanks, Celeste. :)
I’m the crazy lady sitting in the dusty wreck of a house in a ragged, filthy wedding gown who doesn’t want anyone else to get married. Wait, I mean my character is…
From this day forward, I shall refer to you as Miss Havisham. :)
Such a great article!
Our beliefs determinate our actions. So it’s very important to have a strong belief, that no one can influence.
Thanks so much, Pimion.
“Well, a man’s got to believe something, and I believe I’ll have another drink.”
— Peter de Vries
I’ll drink to that!
I’m in revisions on the WIP, and motivation/beliefs are something I’ve worked hard to clarify for myself. I’m truly pleased that my antagonist is a flesh-and-blood person with an agenda that’s completely rational and required, given his values. It’s interesting to see how he’s evolved from a bit of a mustache-twirler in the first draft.
I like the analogy (without the debate!). Those are interesting mudblood memes too. Thanks for the post.