This month’s theme is probably my favorite. My site is all about characters in May. I’m a character writer. A setting can inspire me, or a plot can intrigue me, but if I don’t have characters in mind for them, those inspirations just languish in the back of my imagination. One technique I’ve learned when I want to make sure my characters act and perform differently from each other is to write a thumbnail character sketch for them. A sketch includes two or three adjectives and a noun.
I build most of my characters from faces that my imagination thinks have potential. So today’s prompt is a portrait that caught my attention because of the young man’s expression. Below is my sketch:
Observant, dry-humored college student
For more on using thumbnail sketches, click here. What thumbnail character sketch would you write for this photo?
What a great idea for character development! Your thumbnail description does match his expression – just to be toss out a different idea, I’m thinking along the lines of “outspoken Buddhist monastery runaway.”
Great! Each writer sees different potential.
I think I do this instinctively. I didn’t realize what a great tool for characterization it was.
So sorry it took me so long to respond. I find it very helpful when I have a character I can’t come to grips with.
I gain insight through character’s conversations and their remarks about others. Yes, I hear people all the time. 🤣 I really don’t have faces. Mainly personailities.
Fir the guy in the picture, I chose …
Thoughtful, analytical tech expert
Sorry I didn’t see your response sooner. I can see your description in his face.
No worries, Jennifer. I don’t always get notifications for comments. 😀