Getting into Character: Writing Exercises

by Zoe

Perhaps its the end of semester giddiness, but I find myself, after 200 pages of required writing, very happy to dip my pen into the font of non-academic writing. Not only does that include blogs, but a few in-game projects as well. I'm currently helping Chris (Mushir) on an in-game proposal for a school of psionics (Mirror, Mirror), Tev's Guide to Fae and Other Unlikely Creatures (she's compiling a book), work for Invictus (which you'll just have to come play if you're interested), and a book of illustrated fables from Madrigal (primarily having to do with the foxtail happenings). I write, and teach writing, professionally-- I have found, in my LARP life or otherwise, that writing really helps me work through the kinks in my ideas, characterizations, and goals. With that general idea, I thought some writing exercises for LARP characterizations might be in order...

Karin, of larpohio, wrote a good article on getting back in character after a seasonal break. She has some great tips and ideas (like refreshing yourself on rules), and I'd like to continue with one of her tips: reconnecting with your character. On this topic, Karin notes:

1.) Re-connect with your character - Over a break, it's easy to lose the momentum you built with your character last season.  Once you're back into the swing of playing, you may realize you're not as connected with your character.  Review your character's history to refresh your roleplay. Remember what your character's about - maybe watch the movie that inspired them, or pick out a theme song to get into their mood. Then take some time to remember what you were up to last year, and figure out what you want to get into this year.  If you don't have character goals, make some up! :)  Decide what you want to do as a character in-game, and what kind of cool skills you'd like to work up to out-of-game.  This can help you decide what you want to pursue at events, or between games, if you're looking for direction.

 This is a really excellent point, and I wanted to expand on it through writing exercises. Characterization drills, the type that many fiction writers use, may be a great way to work on fleshing out a tired, forgotten, or uninteresting character. Moreover, in the larger scheme of things, it gives you something tangible, out of game, that you can keep or share with others (and submit to me). Finally, if you're writing plot for a LARP, this can be really useful too-- it creates a richer world populated with not just one, but dozens of well constructed characters. So, here are some classic exercises to get you started:

1. Explore character arcs.

After a year or more of LARPing, your character has probably been involved in more than a few plot arcs. Your valorous warrior has probably experienced everything from werewolf hunting to infiltration missions to greater demons hitting the field. On a rainy day, look at Post Event Letters or game notes you've made. What plot arcs have you completed? What did your character gain or learn from them? How did your character feel about the arcs? Plot is what makes a game run, and if your character has complicated emotions about these arcs, it makes for a better game. It also helps you learn where you're going with character development. Also, it puts things in bigger picture perspective, which can be helpful with the multiple plots that inevitably run.

2. Write miniature bios for everyone in your character's history.

Sure. We all have the long-lost friend, the estranged family member, or the nemesis that is important to our characters' histories. However, how many of these supporting characters are really fleshed out? If someone were to waltz up to you as Erde the Barbarian, and ask her, "So did your brother get along with his son?" would you/Erde be able to answer? Better yet, would you/Erde be able to, at length, talk about the squabbles the two of them used to have. Some LARPers are good at both a) improv and b) continuity, so having a backstory for your background characters isn't a problem. However, many of us would simply offer a more dynamic game if we could respond to questions like this without stammering out an off-the-cuff guess. Detail, briefly, the things that make your secondary characters tick. Start with basic like age, appearance, family, location, occupation, religion, and that sort of thing. Work into more complicated thoughts as you get familiar with the character.

3. Put your character in a situation, and problematize.

Imagine a situation, either simple or complex (and, ideally, something from your gameworld), and write it down. For instance, something along the lines of "your character's mentor is actually working for the other side" or "your character is given a leadership position of significant responsibility." How would your character respond? This can be a good way to explore the motivations that you've given to your character.

4. Play the "why?" game.

Little kids of a certain age seem to punctuate every conversation with the word, "why?" This isn't because their intent on exposing our adult inadequacies, it's because they're curious. Asking "why?" is a good way to explore a situation. List 5-10 significant actions your character has taken or wants to take. At the end of each action, jot down, "why?" Now try to answer that question. Especially if you've taken actions that are ambiguous or unclear to you, this can be a good exercise to hash things out. (For example, "I went on that module and killed those merfolk, even though they were relatively harmless." "Why?" "My good friend really wanted the treasure they had, and I thought that was a good way to express loyalty; now I (my character) am having some serious doubts about the morality of my team." Et voila! A seemingly inconsequential module turns into a cesspool of personal angst and character drama!)

5. Soliloquize. 

If your character could, in the middle of a heated battle or political intrigue, step aside and deliver an internal monologue to a watching audience, what would it sound like? Pretend your character is an actor, delivering a soliloquy. Write your character's most internal thoughts, and present them dramatically. Try to get across not only your character's motivations, but that person's particular style and manner of speaking.

Anyways, go have fun. And if any of these were useful, let me know!