Characters Post Two

Who are you?

Somewhere in each of us dwell one or more archetypes. Whether we are aware of this or not, we can be, ranked and filed, into one, or more, of these basic character types. We do this rank and file to one another often enough as humans, we could at least use it for improved writing! Before really working on the types of characters I thought looking up the differences between, Archetype, Stereotype and Counter Stereotype might be wise. Wikipedia is good enough in this case for skimming the surface of the types.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stereotype
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archetype
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterstereotype

The twelve archetypes of the Western Zodiac are likely the most commonly known. We have all done it at some point; asked that new potential friend or love interest, “what’s your sign?” As if this one answer will allow us to fully understand the complex personality in the flesh vessel we are trying to strike a conversation with. It is a start though and learning the basic personalities associated with each of the twelve signs does offer insight into creating a character with a little bit of plausible back story. I mean, really, how many Scorpios do you know willing watch a sappy movie? Some theories even suggest major historical gangs of characters were created in harmony with the Western Zodiac – King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, even Jesus and his twelve disciples. The personalities of each of the twelve men in these circles can coincidently align with each of the signs. So, what’s your sign?

The Zodiac is not the only method of boiling a man down to his core for easy comprehension. An Eastern idea based on blood types seems to take a more scientific approach, if you want to call it that. If you really want to find some interesting characters building ideas though I really suggest Who Are You?: 101 Ways of Seeing Yourself by: Malcolm Godwin. This book covers everything from facial structure to epicurean tastes when deciphering personality. It is great at parties too!

Consider some of the basic questions asked of a character on a typical day. What is your birthday? What year were you born? What is your blood type? What color are your eyes? Do you like dogs? What would you like for dinner? Answers to these questions help the reader build an understanding of whom he is traveling with on this adventure. Nothing demands adherence to common archetypes, but your reader may notice if the personality and the birth date are glaringly at odds with one another. There is always that one nerd in the bunch! That one is the one you want to really work your little writer heart out for, because he is the one paying attention. If you make him happy all the simpletons will be just plain giddy!
While I would love to go on about basic archetypes and personality types, I think a touch on stereotypes is required. The angst ridden teenager, the tech savvy Japanese man, the dumb jock, the Indian the runs the convenience store, the nerd with glasses, weak women, greasy Italian, black criminals, the dumb blonde, frugal Jews, angry old men, the list goes on and on. Using stereotypes can be considered violation of the unwritten rules of political correctness it also cheapens your writing. These characters are too easy! Readers can see them coming and know what the plot surrounding them will likely turn out in the end. Stereotypes are the salt and pepper of the character spice rack, they are probably there, in every story, but they should not make the meal, err, plot.
The counter stereotype can be just as poor and predictable. You know who they are too, check out the previous list and turn each on its head. Counter stereotypes seem to crop up in youth and science fiction. Avoiding these characters is no more imperative than avoiding stereotypes or flat archetypes, but the same caveat does apply. Over use will annoy readers!
There is a reason these types exist in fiction though - they exist in reality. I am a great example of that! I grew up in a town of under three thousand people. I think we had at least a couple traffic lights. I moved out of my parents’ home and moved to a city of one hundred times that number! I made a name for myself and returned to the small town for huge rewards. Okay, maybe that last part has not happened yet, but otherwise very cliché.