Screenwriting : Creating Character Bios by Devon Mathis

It is not a waste of time. The more you write about them the better will know them thus the story will be more true. Actors and directors will be grateful as well.

I think it's important for me to deeply understand my characters before I start writing my script. Since every word of my script needs to have the purpose of advancing my script to its climax, and since character determines action, I have to make sure that this bunch of characters have the right innards to accomplish that. Logically, it all has to flow. It's important to me to make sure that my characters are, deep, complex, well-rounded individuals with the right mix of traits and flaws. They need to have flaws that will contribute to them getting into trouble, and they need to have traits that will help them achieve goals. They need to have personality paradoxes, and some of these traits and flaws become a part of what transforms as the story concludes. They need to have backstories that help explain who they are; why they are wired the way they are; and why they are motivated to do what they are doing in my story. I can't just wing that stuff as I'm writing, or let it grow organically. It's too complex, and I'd fail at maximizing those realizations. I have to know ahead of time, like when I'm doing my story boarding. After that, I just want to be concentrating on bringing my outline to fruition, and writing my story with the best word choices that I can make. I can't be thinking about "who are my characters?" , or "what happens next?" at that point, or else this goose would be cooked. Linda Seger's "Creating Unforgettable Characters" and Syd Field's "The Screenwriter's Problem Solver" really help with character development - you should probably check them out if you don't already have them. Good luck, bro.

Pup, Oliver, and Bill, thank you so much for the thoughtful suggestions and opinions! I bought a "dummies" book on screenwriting and I also got a "foundations" book by Syd Field; I'll be sure to check out his other book, Bill. Characters, I feel, have to be created so finely that you know them inside and out. I'm afraid that if I don't put enough work into them, then I'm going to end up not letting my characters choose actions and thoughts, but force them on them and force their choices. Creating them is very fun so far, and I'm hoping to have my first script done by the contest being held by Happy Writers. I think the final deadline is Oct. 14.

Devon, In writing classes, we'd always discuss characters in a story before we'd discuss plot. Characters are, like in life, people who respond to the incidents of what happens around them. The plot is the plot, but your unique characters are the ones who forward that story to its logical conclusion. Syd Field and Linda Seger brilliantly make understanding characters so crystal clear, and detail out all of the real work beforehand that goes into making that story successful. They are probably my two faves when it comes to understanding the mechanics of screenwriting and character development. Most amateur writers think a story is plot-driven, but it's really not. It's character-driven. The plot is the vehicle, but the characters are the drivers, and the bumps in the road are created by the characters. Cause and effect. That's one of those crucial "grow points" for writers to experience if they are to become successful in creative writing. There are a lot of "grow points", but that's probably the most essential one of them all.

Thank you so much, Bill and Patricia, I'll always remember that.

The danger with this is becoming a busy fool. Listing your character's favourite TV shows when they were five years old may seem like doing your homework but could also be a complete waste of time. The critical thing is establishing a process that works for you. There's no best way. Some writers need to know their characters inside and out, some like to keep them as organic spirits which develop as they write. Generally we need to be asking ourselves what profile of characters are going to bring out the most entertainment in our story. Irony is good, making them the last person in the world who could do with being thrown into the situation you're throwing them into. For example Indiana Jones and his fear of snakes.

THE ART OF DRAMATIC WRITING by Lajos Egri is a solid manual on building 3D Characters.

The Screenwriter's Bible has lots of good advice for beginners, and suggests spending time developing worksheets with backstory for your characters. While all of the details don't appear in your script, by knowing a lot about your characters initially helps you show through their actions and dialogue who they are. And on a really excellent writing day, sometimes the characters do the hard work while you are their scribe :)

Lots of people have already given good advice. The process does vary for people, as some people define as they go, others need a great deal of detail from the beginning. I will say that, when fully fleshed out, characters tend to come out stronger, their dialog more unique, and their perspective more realized within the world they inhabit. With a solid outline and research, writing tends to fly by on the first draft. Something I've done is try to think of what a conversation with the character would be like, sort of an internal acting exercise. If you can ask questions and get reactions in a way that makes them seem alive, you're doing pretty well. If it feels more like you're just talking to yourself, you may want to work on their personality more.

Thanks so much, everyone, for the great advice and suggestions :) I will always remember this and apply it immediately.