Character Connections

Writers use a lot of tools to develop characters. We work with everything from character sketches to collages to using index cards. The need to deepen a character is often discussed and each characters is supposed to play an integral role to the story. I knew all this and worked with various methods to flesh out the ways in which my characters would react to events but something wasn't quite clicking. My plot didn't stall as a result, but the connections between my characters weren't quite there - until I drew a character connection chart.



Above is one example of a (de-identified) chart I created. The sketch of this in my notebook is quite a bit messier but you get the feel. If you're a visual person, this can be really helpful. Using a non-linear method can free your mind creatively and help you to see something that might be otherwise be hidden.

As I made the chart, related members get spots near each other while some of my main characters get placement across from each other. There's not really a reason for placing them far apart, other than the fact that I have the longest line on which to write their relationship description. That's part of the image you don't see. On each line I write a brief note explaining the major plot thread that ties the two characters together. The chart didn't drastically alter my plot and there wasn't a light bulb moment upon completion, but I felt more secure in the connections I'd developed.

Character Connection Chart:

1. Identify the number of key characters in your story.
2. Evenly place tick marks representing the prior mentioned number around the circle.
3. Identify your four main characters and place them across from one another.
4. Fill in remaining characters, keeping family members or friends together whenever possible.
5. Draw lines connecting the different characters.
6. Write a brief note on each line explaining the relationship or connection between the characters.

One further step you can take is to color-code the lines. Should there be some type of romance, you can denote that line in red. Similarly, you might use black to identify relationships that are a threat to the protagonist or you might highlight subplot connections in green.