The Job Interview

Characters need to be interviewed for their position in your story. You want to be sure the right person is hired for the right job. After all, they represent your company to the public.
Applicants should complete an application spelling out their name, birth date, city of birth, current residence, past employment and education.
As the interview starts I begin by asking them to tell me about their childhood. Where were they born? Did they grow up there? Did they play sports? in the school band? What were their grades? Favorite classes? Did they hate school? Next, ask about their immediate family. I try not to make more than 1 character in each story an only child. It takes away from depth and complexity. Where did dad work? Mom? Are they immigrants?
What's their past work history/experience? Education? Club/church affiliations?
These details aren't necessary for each story. However, they allow you to see them as a living, breathing being. You can then drop items of interest into your dialogue or allows other characters to inquire of them, again, building character depth.
Knowing these factoids about your character in advance give points in mind to work from. If I know the character in question graduated from college. I can explore where, what degree was earned, what was her motivation, what were her plans after school without stating: "I'm Mary. I graduated from Indiana University. I was a cheerleader." Doesn't sound like very interesting dialogue, does it?
Get to know your characters. If nothing else, your job as manager is easier with a team of highly qualified individuals on your team.
sit down and write today!
- bethany moran