Here’s an exercise suggestion courtesy of my agent Mary Kole’s spunky and comprehensive blog. On the surface it sounds easy. Write 100 declarative sentences about your character. (Mark only likes to run if he has his digital watch recording his mileage and speed. Mark eats cheese on toast for breakfast. Mark has radar for cars–whether in films –he’ll know the model and maker– or on the road….etc.
But once you get going, it’s like running uphill in the snow. You’re glad you managed to keep breathing, and relieved on the downward return. (Yes that might have been me you saw on the hills, bundled up like a Canadian snowman this morning and gleeful on my sweaty return home from five miles in snow packed like sand.)
You write 100 declarative sentences about a character. It’s a great way to get to know the character and helpful if you’re stuck. I would also suggest it’s a great exercise when you’re at the beginning of your work and still trying to get to know that character. I think I will share this gem with my students who will be taking my course at Ryerson University’s Chang School of Education in 2011. (Just a note about the course description here: although it says the course is for health professionals, it’s open to anyone who wants to learn)
