Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Play a game with your Characters

The Best Day/ Worst Day Game

Character development doesn't have to be dull. Try playing a game with your characters. In John Green's "Finding Alaska" his characters play a game of "Best Day, Worst Day" where each character told the others their best and worst day. I found this interesting because the answers each character gave told the reader the experiences that made them tick, gave them their drive and direction in life.

So . . . I thought, that may be a good character development game. Then I started to wonder what other games might be fun to play while getting to know our characters. hmmmmmmmm

18 comments:

Angela Ackerman said...

Oh I do one similar called , "would you rather...?" The idea of to offer the character two choices that will expose interests, fears, morals and weaknesses. :)

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

C.R. Evers said...

Fun, fun! Thanks for the idea. I'll be sure to do that one too! :0)

Kimbra Kasch said...

A great idea. I might take you up on this one - with a twist.

C.R. Evers said...

What's the twist?!?! I'd love to hear it!

Katrina L. Lantz said...

Great idea! I was thinking recently I should play God with my characters more literally, as in asking myself what is their biggest personal problem (fear, loneliness, bad temper, selfishness) and what would God put them through to teach them a lesson? By playing God, I develop character and plot at the same time, and discover the arcs for both.

I love your blog! I need to read it more often. You have great ideas.

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

Great idea, Christy! I embrace anything that helps me to get to know my characters--especially if it's fun.

C.R. Evers said...

Great idea Katrina! Thanks for the idea. I'm going to have to try that one too! I'd love to see you around Blogland more! Stop by and say "hi" whenever you get a chance.

Thanks Cynthia. Glad you liked it! :0)

Bish Denham said...

This is a wonderful idea Christy! Even in the information isn't directly used in a story it would be a wonderful way for me, the writer, to get to know my characters.

C.R. Evers said...

Thanks Bish! That's what I was thinking too. Even if it doesn't come out directly in the story, knowing that information can still help shape the character and what he/she goes through.

Christina Farley said...

This does sound like fun. I love playing around with my characters and seeing what they do best at and what works.

C.R. Evers said...

Hi Christina! I'd love to hear what you've tried!

Rena Jones said...

This sounds like a lot of fun. Thanks for the idea!

C.R. Evers said...

Thanks for stoppping by, Rena! Glad you liked it!

Kelly Hashway said...

I really like this idea. I'm going to try it. Thanks!

C.R. Evers said...

Glad you liked it. :0)

Adrienne said...

I remember that game from the movie City Slickers!

We have a game called What If? You are asked questions like, if so-and-so were a movie (or a car, or a food, or...), which one would he be? It's pretty silly but surprisingly enlightening, too.

C.R. Evers said...

That one sounds fun too! I'll add that to my list also.

Angela Ackerman said...

I recently went to a charity dinner where the host offered up an icebreaker--to tell the group one thing about ourselves that no one else at the table knew. It was very tough--my hubby was at the table, and we're high school sweeties, so you can imagine there are few secrets in our household, and fewer still I'd want a bunch of high-powered executives at our table to know!

It got me thinking tho--this would make a good character game, especially in a group of really close friends who 'thought' they knew everything about each other. I wonder what tidbits would come to light?

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse