Do you find yourself at the start of creating a new character but being thrown into a writer’s slump? You know this character has potential but can’t seem to develop them in your fictional world? Why don’t you step out of your comfort zone and roleplay with your character?
Now before you think this is taking a turn in the wrong direction, hear me out. Roleplaying is writing too. People participate in the live action stuff, also known as LARPing, but we’re focusing on writing-based roleplaying.
There are so many online communities where you can create a basic character and act them out in different scenarios to learn a little bit more about your character for your novel. Not too long ago, we laid out an interviewing situation for you to interrogate your characters with – but if that doesn’t work, take your efforts to the messaging boards and throw your character into a pit of roleplaying fire.
Not only will it help you develop certain characteristics, mannerisms, and whatnot but it’ll help you gather a sense of your writing style surrounding your WIP. So clearly, you’ll learn something about your project one way or another.
I actually tried this recently! I named my D&D character after the protagonist in something I wrote and did my best to built up a strong personality for her while not altering the traits I had already chosen beforehand. It’s quite a challenge but it does help with getting to know my character and it’s a lot of fun too!