“Who are you?”
It’s a question society asks every day.
Everywhere we turn, we are asked to define ourselves: Twitter bios. Facebook profiles. Blog and website About Me pages.
Our definitions categorize us. We say we are writers, designers, artists, engineers, doctors, librarians. We call ourselves knitters, painters, parents, sons and daughters, book lovers, sports fans.
We define ourselves in so many ways.
But we never say who we are. Only what we are.
For writers, authentic characters depend on who, not what. We can say our characters are dentists, or journalists, or newspaper delivery boys. But that doesn’t tell us who they.
Who is about motivation. It’s about quirks. It’s about desires. It’s about personality, emotions, actions and reactions.
So … who are you?
Julie Stroebel Barichello | Author 
You left this post on a great note and overall a great feeling. This left me thinking about so much! Thank you, Ms. Barichello!
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I’m glad you found it thought-provoking, Trinity! Characterization has been a main focus for me lately.
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Really? How come? 🙂
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I have started working on short stories again, which is a form I haven’t played with in a few years. The shorter word count means I have to characterize in a short time with a handful of key details. It’s a great challenge! I’ve been focusing on finding those one or two details that really tell who my short story characters are.
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That’s great! You should totally post some of your short stories! I’d love to read some of them. ^_^
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