Creating characters with different perspectives

Imagine yourself curled up in your favourite armchair, lost in the pages of a captivating novel, and suddenly you think, 'Blimey, this character thinks just like I do.' This sense of familiarity is no coincidence – it's the magic of a well-crafted character perspective.

Character perspective is the unique lens through which a character interprets their world. It shapes their responses, decisions, and interactions and lends a human touch to their persona. Diverse perspectives can liven up your narrative, painting a vibrant tableau of characters readers can relate to.

The perk of perspectives

Adding a mix of character perspectives to your story is akin to throwing different spices into your stew – it not only makes the story more appetising but adds a punch of flavour. So let's dish out the specific advantages:

1. Narrative richness – Just as each spice enhances the stew, diverse character perspectives enrich the narrative, making it multi-layered and engaging.
2. Relatability – Different strokes for different folks: characters with distinct perspectives appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, creating deeper bonds between them and your story.
3. Conflict and resolution – Disparate viewpoints naturally invite conflict and resolution, the lifeblood of any gripping tale.
4. Exploring themes and issues – Through different characters, you can explore and express a variety of themes and societal issues, making your story more relevant and thought-provoking.

Cooking up character perspectives

Wondering how to whip up these characters with diverse perspectives? No worries, here's a recipe you can follow:

1. Know your character – Understand your character's backstory, their likes and dislikes, idiosyncrasies and more. This forms the base of their perspective, so take your sweet time with this.
2. Empathy and research – Walk a mile in your characters' shoes. See their world, feel their emotions, and think their thoughts. Simultaneously, researching their backgrounds, cultures, or specific situations they're in can offer a richer understanding.
3. Identify motivations – What drives your character? What are their goals? The answers to these questions will help shape their unique perspective and guide their actions within the story.
4. Examine relationships – How does a character's perspective shape their relationships? This dynamic can add another layer of depth to both the characters and the narrative.
5. Consistency – Once you've established a perspective, be consistent. Characters should react according to their perspective, barring a compelling reason for a change.

Stumbling blocks and how to leap over them

Crafting diverse perspectives can feel like juggling flaming torches at times. Here are some common blunders to watch out for:

1. Playing favourites – Often, we favour some characters, resulting in an uneven development of perspectives. Strive for balance; every character in your story matters.
2. Stereotyping – Clichés and stereotypes might be an easy fallback, but they make your characters feel flat and lacklustre. Embrace the challenge of crafting unique perspectives.
3. Over or under-seasoning – Too many perspectives can confuse readers and dilute your narrative, while too few can make it bland. Use the 'Goldilocks principle': just the right amount.
4. One-dimensional perspectives – Characters shouldn't be stuck in their initial perspectives. Allow growth and change, and avoid making perspectives too extreme or unidimensional.
5. Neglecting character growth – Characters, like people, evolve. Make sure this growth and change is reflected in their perspectives.

Time to put down the pen – or is it?

With these tips and tricks up your sleeve, you're ready to jump into creating your character perspectives. Remember, creating diverse perspectives isn't a mere checkbox exercise – it's about weaving together experiences that breathes life into your narrative.

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