Characters and their interactions are important in any book. In order to make them appear real to the reader, the actions and motives of the characters must be believable. This is why the most valuable research a writer can conduct is the study of human behavior.
Books on human behavior
·
Personality
Plus by Florence Littauer – excellent guide to human behaviors based on
personality types
·
The
Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
·
Bringing
out the Best in People/The Friendship Factor by Alan Loy McGinnis
·
Men
Are From Mars, Women From Venus by John Gray
·
The
Disconnected Generation by Josh McDowell – great for understanding teen
behavior
·
And
any other relationship, personality, or inspirational book that provides human
behavior insights
Observation – how do real people react under
similar circumstances?
·
Examine
the past and present behavior of family and friends
·
Observe
humanity through the news – this will provide a worldly view
·
Watch
people in public places such as sporting events, restaurants, grocery stores,
churches, etc.
·
Follow
the actions of a person similar to your character – remember, no stalking
·
Wherever
you find people, you’ll find opportunities to study human behavior if you just
take the time
Research
·
Interview
real people in positions or circumstances similar to your character’s situation
·
Search
for events in your story on the Internet
·
Non-fiction
books with accounts of people enduring the same challenges found in your story
·
Websites
devoted to the discussion of human behavior or issues
·
Online
forums and live discussions – find discussions on your story’s topics or post
the questions yourself
22 comments:
Live interaction can sure be fun, especially when you know you are pressing them and they have no idea why
People are often entertaining to watch! Especially at sporting events.
I love people watching, and agree with Alex about the sporting events.
This reminds me of the guest post Elizabeth Seckman wrote on my blog about how her social work training has helped her with writing. Great advice.
I love people watching too! It's always interesting :)
What a great post. I think it's so important for any author to study anthropology and psychology to help fully develop their characters. The more realistic they are in our books the more our readers can relate to them.
This is one of my favorite things to do out in public. :) I'd much rather watch people and note their mannerisms and dialogue than actually engage with them.
Pat - LOL!
Julie, anytime you deal with social work or psychology, it really helps you understand people.
Elizabeth, I confess when we go see the Mudcats play, I spend more time watching the people than the game.
My parents were people watchers, so I guess I picked it up from them. It really is a great way to enhance our writing. Appreciate the tips and advice, Diane! :)
I've been known to eavesdrop and get caught at it. Very embarrassing, but very helpful when I'm looking for authentic human behavior! Loved the post.
People watching can be so fun. There are so many strange things in news and in science that are great story ideas.
OMG! I love this post and I cannot agree more. I love reading about psychology , development and relationship books, not to forget documentaries, and one of the reasons I enjoy watching football games and sport events is because it shows so much of the human nature and acting under pressure. That is one great list of books you gave. By the way I get more ideas for my stories from these other resources and non-fiction books than from fiction, and bounce it makes me feel so sophisticated and encyclopedic haha I can talk in various topics like a pro, people are always surprised by that!
Haneen, I'm glad you like the book list. I have a huge library of relationship and people skill books. There are some great insights there.
Always been a firm believer in people watching and interacting with my friends.
Been choice cannon fodder for the stories that I write.
That's it. I have to write a story about a man who doesn't even answer the phone during his team's college basketball games. And if you call him you better be family and on fire or something like that.
One of my favorite things to do while I'm out and about is people watch. I learn so much about people and their reactions to the simplest of things.
Elsie
AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge
remember, no stalking...
no gaping or staring either! :)
Thanks for the pointers.
People watching is wonderful... entertaining AND educational... what more could you ask for...
Those human behavior books sound like a plan...
LuAnn, I live with someone like that.
Thanks for the list of books - I've read Women are from Venus etc., and it is just so right! I adore people watching too, but I tend to get absorbed. I remember my brother telling me to stop staring when we were on a train once :-( and I wasn't even aware of it. Great post.
This is some really good advice and the books are grear suggestion. Even outside of writing, some of this can to used to improve intereaction and other areas of creativity.
I've never heard of The Disconnected Generation. I'll have to check that out. Thanks for these great tips!
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