Character
If no one cares, no one cares
I’ve been writing more about running lately, though yesterday I forgot to write at all—oops! So today I wanted to dive back into the “storytelling” side of this Substack. Yes, I’m working a “real job” now and spend a bit less time working on creative projects. But that doesn’t mean I’m not doing anything creative. (Singing in a concert next week and directing a new play at the end of May!) In general, I think I approach most things through the lens of “what makes this a good story?” And lately I’ve been seeing a real lack in character.
Not in a moral sense, but in a “who is this person and why do I care what happens to them over the next two hours/5 seasons/23 chapters” sense. There are plenty of discussions in creative writing around character vs plot and which is which, and how do they influence the other and why do you need both, and if some pieces are a character study or plot-driven, and is one better than the other. Ok, let’s skip that and get really basic.
Who is [this person] and why does it matter that they get [this goal]? That’s it. That’s all I want to know to latch on to a character and follow them through anything. If I know that Luke wants to “get off this rock” and join the rebellion because that is where all his friends are, then I’m locked in. I can relate (another important character feature). I get it, I too have felt stuck or left behind in life and dreamed of getting away.
When there is no answer to these questions (or it’s complicated or unrelatable) I struggle to invest in the story. With so many demands on our attention, I have a pretty simple barometer for a book I’m reading. If I remember that I’m reading it and want to read more, I keep going. If I forget or am more interested in scrolling headlines, probably not a book worth continuing to read.
What makes a book memorable and exciting? For me: what is going to happen to these people I’ve come to care about? And I care about and relate to them because I know them and I know what they want, and it matters to me that they get it.
The movie characters that stick with us are equally people we “get” in some sense.
Elle Woods: Underestimated, wants to get attend Harvard and get her boyfriend back.
Gollum: Addicted to a dangerous item, wants it back
Furiosa: Strong, capable, wants redemption.
Rocky: Blue collar, wants to prove he can go the distance.
When I find myself tuning out of a story, it’s generally because I’m realizing I’m not sure who the people are or why I should care about them or their goals.
One of my favorite movies, though I’ve only watched it one time, is Full Metal Jacket. It’s a dark but wonderful film. I think the reason it stays with me and drew me in so deeply is the characters. Even as they kill themselves and others, they are relatable. They are bullied, they are lost, they are following orders, they are hurt and alone. In less extreme circumstances, we’ve all felt this way.
With more and more content being created, the need to draw in and keep an audience is higher than ever. One of the best ways to do this is by characters people love.
Who are they? personality, family, trauma, sense of humor?
What do they want? respect, belonging, to win, survival
Why do we care if they get it (or not)? we realte and want the same for ourselves.
Rose: restricted by society, wants a life of freedom
Marlin: anxious, wants his son (Nemo) back
These are very reductive ways to look at character. Of course, characters can want things that aren’t good for them, or have deeper needs they aren’t aware of, but we are, as the audience (Harry Potter wants a family, Ned Stark wants to stick to his morals) But this is the baseline to me.
I want my entertainment to be able to answer these questions so I can get onboard and buckled up for whatever ride the character is about to embark on. I just want to care about what happens. Show me who this person is and make me care about them. There used to be a saying that if you wanted to show a character as a hero, have them save a cat early on. A villain, have them kick a dog.
Let’s save a few more cats these days and make sure the characters we are creating are ones people can care about, relate to, and cheer for.