Thursday, April 29, 2021

Writing a Journal from your Character’s Perspective


by Kathleen Neely @NeelyKneely3628

I’m sharing tips with you on a strategy that I’ve only just begun using—character journaling. I know—journaling sounds like an age-old tool, but here’s how it differs. It’s not me writing the journal, but my character. I’ve discovered that the input of time is well worth the output. When I sit down and create a journal from my character’s perspective—what he/she is thinking, feeling, wishing, and doing, my writing dips deeper. 

Journaling is much more than a keeper of memories. By design, it’s private. Words that only the writer will see. A place to pour out your heart. It’s also quick. A five-to-ten-minute venue where neither spelling nor punctuation matter. It can be a place to vent frustrations, pour out anger, admit weakness. A safe place to dream the impossible dream. In my book Beauty for Ashes Nathan journaled to put words to his guilt, ending each journal entry by incinerating the page into a jar where he collected the ashes of grief. 

What do I get out of my character’s rambling? I get the WHY which is the heart of emotions. Characters aren’t one dimensional. Like real-life people, sometimes their actions appear to contradict each other. What causes fear in one chapter may bring excitement in another. WHY? In one scene he’s attracted to her; in another, he’s stand-offish. WHY?

As the keeper of the story, you know the answer. However, if you don’t adequately communicate this to your reader, your story may leave confusion. If you communicate it by telling instead of showing, your reader may stifle a yawn. I find character journaling to be the tipping point for providing that deeper look inside. 

Another benefit of character journaling is voice. Language patterns, cultural differences, generational gaps—they come easily when your character does the writing. All you have to do is to maintain that voice in your manuscript. This fall, you will have a chance to meet Charlotte in my time-slip novel Arms of Freedom. Her story is based on her old journals located 150 years later. I hope you enjoy this voice that changed with her coming of age. The journal helped me with layers of emotion that shifted with Charlotte the child, to Charlotte the young lady. 

To summarize, journals are: 
  • Private – meant only for the character (and you, of course)
  • Quick – minimal time spent 
  • Safe – he or she may say anything they’re feeling 
  • Real – even you, their creator, will come to know this character on a more intimate level 
  • Authentic – a character will make their voice known; it cannot change who they are 
I’d love to hear from writers with their strategies for character development. It’s the heart of fiction. 

TWEETABLE

Kathleen Neely resides in Greenville, SC with her husband. She is a former teacher and a retired elementary principal. She enjoys time with family, visiting her two grandsons, traveling, and reading. 

She is the author of The Street Singer, Beauty for Ashes, The Least of These, and In Search of True North. Kathleen is a blogger for Celebrate Lit and a member of ACFW, American Christian Fiction Writers. She currently serves on the administrative board of the local chapter, ACFW Upstate South Carolina. 

Kathleen continues to speak to students about writing and publication processes. She is a member of Association of Christian Fiction Writers. 

Website – www.KathleenNeely.com 
Facebook – www.facebook.com/kathy.neely.98
Twitter - https://twitter.com/NeelyKneely3628
Instagram – www.Instagram.com/KathleenNeelyAuthor

14 comments:

  1. What a great idea. And you story sounds so intriguing.

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    1. Thanks for your feedback. Characterization is the heart of fiction. Have a blessed day.

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  2. I do this, well sorta...I wouldn't necessarily say its an ongoing journal, but when I begin a new project, I write in long-hand and in first person, about the character. I let them tell me all about themselves. Like I said I usually get to the heart of their "why" or dark moment. This is a great tip, to think of it as a journal. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Glad that's working for you.
      Blessings,
      Kathy

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  3. Great idea, Kathy. I do this, but not often enough. I usually do it when I'm stuck on a character and need to go deeper. Whatever works, right? It helps me with POV characters but even more with secondary characters, because I can't always give them a POV. Good post.
    Kathy Bailey

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    1. Thanks for your feedback. Authors are as unique as their characters and need to find what works for them.
      Blessings,
      Kathy

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  4. Kathy, thanks for sharing. No wonder you are able to create such multi-dimensional characters. I'm going to give it a try with my next manuscript.

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    1. Thanks, Carol. I already love your novels.

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  5. I love your explanation of this method! I don't journal but I do a newspaper-style interview. I love these as they sometimes turn into arguments with the characters. Many times dialogue from these interviews has made it into the book. I can't wait to hold your latest book.

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  6. Thank you, Suzy. It's not unusual to see characters doing something least expected.
    Blessings to you.

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  7. This is a great idea, Kathy. I bet a lot of great insight comes from considering what the character's inner thoughts are using this technique. The deeper we go on an emotional level, the more satisfying it is for the reader.

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  8. What great advice Kathleen!
    THANKS for sharing!
    Good luck and God's blessings
    PamT

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