Tips for Playing a Believable Character Role

There's a point as a fiction writer that I know the work I'm doing is good. It's the spot where I start to haze into the skin of my character, where the dividing line between me and her (or him) disappears and I find myself entirely inside that character's point of view.

Sometimes I finish writing that scene with tears running down my face. Other times, I am enraged,or touched, or exhilarated.Most times, it takes a long walk or other strenuous exercise to come back into myself, away from that character.

This is a sort of nirvana every creative writer dreams of, the place where words come to you like magic, where your character is transformed from paper into a being as real to you as any human. But how do you reach that point? The following methods may help, and you can use many of them simultaneously.

1. Character outlining - The first step for reaching that other plane is having a good idea of who each character in the scene is. Without that, how can you possibly get into the character's skin?

2. Meditation - If you can't quite see who the character is, try a little meditation, either a traditional method that you're used to using or this simple method. When you're already in an altered state, it is much easier to slip into your character's head. If you have trouble directing your meditation so that you fall into the character then, try writing immediately after coming out of your trance.

3. Working - Sometimes just sitting and writing through it can put you into that otherworld, though it often takes a while. I suggest picking up a copy of Natalie Goldberg's Wild Mind, and trying some of the exercises she includes at the end of each chapter, for help getting the writing juices flowing. (The best exercise: the one you don't want to do.)

4. Acting out scenes - This always works for me: standing up in your private area and moving through a scene, speaking the lnes and pretending to interact with the other characters. For some people, wearing costumes or jewelry or other accessories can really put them into the mood, helping them slide into the character.

5. Take a walk - something about physical movement helps thiings movementally. Walk alone or with someone you can discuss your book with (many writers use their spouses), then when you return sit down in your quiet office and write that scene.

6. Write somewhere else - Nothing ties you to your office or writing space except habit. Write outside under the stars, in a gazebo, on the beach, or on a roof.

7. Shut out all distractions - You may not even know you're being distracted. Feed all the living things in your house, give them something to do besides bother you, turn off all noisemaking things in your area (from the phone to the television), get your coffee and go to the bathroom, and lock the door. The physical act of locking the door makes you take your privacy seriously. Satisfying all physical needs for yourself and those who depend on you prevents interruption. Many writers get up at ugly o'clock in the morning for the same reason.

8. Use directed dreaming, and keep a notebook beside your bed - Directed dreaming is simply going ot sleep while you're thinking about some topic, and trying to stay lucid enough while you dream to keep yourself on topic. It's easier when you sleep lightly, so keep a dim light on to prevent that deep sleep. Directed dreaming takes practice; don't expect immediate results. It also doesn't give yu restful sleep, so don't do it too often, and be prepared to nap the next day. When you wake, write down your ideas and feelings right away. You may find that when you sit down to write again, you'll easily slip back into that dream state, making it simple to become your
character.

9. If all else fails, consider taking acting classes - Writing and acting are artistic siblings, and learning how actors get into character is likely to help you, the writer, get into your character as well.