And Now For Something Completely Different...

Current Project: Post NaNo Project
Status: Just getting started!

In searching for a topic for today's blog post, I started thinking about the characters we create as writers. I'll do you all a favor and avoid describing the long, convoluted and somewhat tortuous path that led me here (though you might guess Monty Python was in there somewhere). And where is here, you ask? Why, it's Writing Characters Who Are Not Like Us, whether that means a different ethnicity, nationality, social class, sexual orientation or something else.

This can be a touchy subject, so don't worry, this isn't going to be a lecture about what writers should or shouldn't do (as if I'd presume!). Mostly, I'm wondering how other writers approach creating characters "not like them?" No one wants to create a character who comes across as a stereotype. So, if you don't know a Real Live Human Being (tm) of a similar background to your character, what do you do? Do you treat this as any other unknown factor in your story and do research? Or do you find yourself backing away from writing such characters out of fear of criticism?

I'll admit creating characters with backgrounds that differ wildly from what I know (i.e. from my own) can seem incredibly daunting at times. Seems a bit silly, though, when I remember that I write male POV all the time and I don't thnk twice about the fact that I am not now, nor have I ever been, a man. Yes, I know that's different, but isn't it somewhat similar? After all, I think nothing of researching the "guy" point of view to try to make my male characters as real as possible. Isn't that same approach valid for other characters, as well?

And now, for a quiz! Relax, it'll be fun (I hope). I'm always impressed by American writers who write British characters (and who do it well) in a British setting. Elizabeth George, Deborah Crombie and Martha Grimes are a few that come to mind. Of course, I wouldn't know if they got some of the details wrong, but these three seem to get high marks from British reviewers. Sometimes though, their characters will use an idiom or a bit of British slang that I'm unfamiliar with and stops me in my tracks until I look it up (and don't even get me started on Cockney rhyming slang). You can see what's coming, can't you? Yep, time to test your knowledge of British English!

Match the numbered word or phrase with the lettered definition. If you feel like it, post your guesses in the comments. I'll post the answers later tonight so you can see how you did. All of the words/phrases and definitions come from the book: Understanding British English, by Margaret E. Moore.

1. Braces
2. Near the knuckle
3. Parkin
4. Parson's nose
5. Swan
6. Davenport
7. Shop

a. drop-front desk with drawers
b. gingerbread made with oatmeal and molasses
c. suspenders
d. drift around idly
e. off color, somewhat indecent
f. betray, turn in to police
g. tail of a cooked fowl

Extra credit! Match the numbered Cockney rhyming slang with it's lettered English translation.

8. Adam and Eve
9. Mariah Carey
10. Nat King Cole
11. Butcher's Hook
12. Burt and Ernie

h. Journey
i. Dole (Welfare)
j. Look
k. Believe
l. Scary