There are a number of ways to create a character; the most common is to write up a list of physical traits, habits, hobbies, work, and belongings. Personally, I find this interferes with the creative flow and doesn't breathe life into the character. This exercise will help you to develop a character in a much more fun way.

Create a character in one or two paragraphs. Describe his/her physical features, personality, and mannerisms; include anything you wish. Avoid writing about someone you know, the aim is to create a fictional character. This is just the first stage so don't worry about trying to create a polished piece yet.

Example - Section 1:

Molly's her name, mopping is her trade and has been for more than forty-two years. Actually, it was difficult to tell the difference between her hair and her mop. Every morning she shuffled up the streets and cleaned houses, and every afternoon she would shuffle home again, indulge in her weakness for chocolate while watching the early quiz shows, and head off to bed before the late news started. A sweet old lady who would cross the road to the other footpath just to avoid disturbing a bird on the ground. Her once beautiful blue eyes had become dull, and a white cloud crept over the pupil of her right eye. Her unwrinkled mouth told the story of a life without laughter. Not that anyone heard her complain, in fact she said very little. She nodded to the postie each morning and to anyone who happened to pass by. Her shapely legs looked as though they belonged on a younger woman, and shouldn't have to endure the frumpish dresses Molly bought from the bargain box at the local shop.

The above example took just a few minutes to write; yet we are starting to get a clear picture of Molly. Let's make a list of all the things that we now know about the character. Again, don't worry about constructing beautifully worded sentences, keep it simple:

- Her name is Molly.

- She's a cleaner, and most likely has been all of her life.

- She's either approaching retirement or has passed it.

- Molly loves chocolate and watching game shows on television.

- She's a creature of habit.

- Molly is very lonely and has possibly known much sadness.

- She's gentle and possibly likes animals.

- She has blue eyes, but is blind in her right eye.

- She might be timid.

- She doesn't complain.

- Molly doesn't talk much to people, but is still friendly and likeable.

- She has shapely legs that look much younger than normal.

- She wears frumpy dresses bought from the local shop.

- Perhaps she doesn't have much money.

Notice the use of words such as 'possibly' and 'perhaps' in the above list. At this point I don't know the answers, but there are possibilities now. Questions start to form.

- Why has she cleaned all her life and not changed jobs?

- Where was she educated and how long did she stay?

- Why does she have to keep working at her age? Does she like it and wants to keep busy? Or is it a case of she has to?

- Does she like the game shows because she is quite intelligent and can answer the harder questions or is it simply for company?

- Doesn't she have any family or friends? Had she been married? Is she divorced or did her husband die?

- Could an operation save her vision?

- She has retreated into her own shell and shut everybody else out, why?

- Why do her legs look younger? Did she dance when she was younger? Did she do something else that might explain this?

- Is she battling to survive? Or does she have money put away and just doesn't like to spend much?

- Does she ever travel far from where she lives?

The questions can go on and on. And from these questions we can write more about Molly.

Example - Section 2:

No one suspected Molly's past, least of all her neighbours. She had kept it quiet for so long now, but she remembered every detail and believed she could identify the precise day when her life changed. She was nineteen, studying law during the day and cleaning homes and offices at night to help pay for her tuition. She spent her nights off dancing with her friends. They were good friends, but they wouldn't understand, no one would. It was at the dance that Molly met Tony; he seemed so sweet, so perfect. After a six-month courtship they wed and moved into their new home - two storeys. Tony paid for it all, and Molly didn't question it - why would she? He was a successful businessman, and he treated her well. There was no need for her to question anything as long as he kept treating her well. She trusted him completely ... until she stumbled on the money he had hidden in the hallway closet.

Of course we could keep going with Section 2, which would create more questions, and then we would be able to write a third section. Do you see what's happening? You're actually writing the backstory as well as creating a character. You may choose to add all or parts of these examples to your story. You may throw out ideas, alter and then use them. From this one character we could send this story anywhere - murder, mystery, betrayal, lost love - it's up to you. Or you could use the character in several stories. No more writers' block.

Next time we will take the character you've created here and take an unexpected turn, which will create even more ideas.

What is the hidden message?