Doing Character Studies

[icy_crusader]

I have an idea for a gothic mystery/horror style story that would be mostly a character study of sorts. In the style of 'Dorian Gray', I suppose. I wanted to write a short story to help me get the feeling of such a task and was wondering if anybody has any suggestions on how to form a character and transfer their being, dynamic or static, to paper.

 

[akaibara]

I don;t know much about getting them onto paper, but maybe I can help with creating characters? Do you have more specific questions? What's the story about?

 

[icy_crusader]

Well, the 'villian' is the richest man in a 1840's New England town. He's a chimera, which is a person who was supposed to be twin but came out as a single person. His body, ecluding his face, will be covered with black and white patches. His father was a well-travelled entrepeneur who held a hostility for him becuase he was the not his child, but the child of his wife and a black butcher. He has two sides to him, the rejected son of an affair still angry at his father for his rejection and obsessed with total control, and the sophisticated and well-spoken whatever his name is. I was just curious how a writer would typically go about doing a character study or truly creating a deep, complicated character.

 

[Lithium Hobo]

I have made five characters for a role play that have been well praised due to their complexities, humanity, delivery, etc. Took me 3 years to develop them all to where they are now. I'm not sure how I did it, but...they're there. If you want me to describe them, i could, but they're rather...dark.

 

[oncewaslost]

developing a realistic character? hmm... there are guides online that assist but really it's up to the author. most realistic (if not all) are flawed. here's a few guidelines. don't know if they'll be much good since i don't usually outline.

http://www.hollylisle.com/fm/Articles/wc2-2.html

http://www.hollylisle.com/fm/Workshops/character-workshop.html

http://www.thescriptorium.net/

i had an actual character profile that was more indepth but i can't seem to find it anywhere.

edit: ah ha! found it.
http://www.writerswrite.com/journal/jun98/lazy2.htm

 

[Kerouac71]

I don;t know much about getting them onto paper, but maybe I can help with creating characters? Do you have more specific questions? What's the story about?

Honestly just sit down and start describing where they live their habits, quirks, etc. If you like pm me and I can share some that I have done for several books, stories and other sundry writings that I have done over the years.