Can you be friends with your protagonist?

Write what you know. That is one of the clichés drilled in our heads as writers from day one. Interesting concept until you start asking questions. Like, so, do authors of serial killer novels… kill people? Are romance novelists the epitome of lovemaking? Did writers of kids books ever grow up? Sure, those are silly questions, but when we get down to it, how connected are we to our creations? And more importantly, to our characters? Is your protagonist someone you would want to have dinner with? Go on a vacation with? Sleep with?

We create personas on the page (or screen) out of necessity. We have a plot idea, an outline, a scene… Now we need people to live in it. That first person, the one you mulled over at lunch and woke up in a deep sweat to after that vivid dream, yes that person, how do you fit him into this new world you’ve created? Has she become your alter ego?

As you create and ponder the next scene, how many times do you ask yourself, “Hmm what would I do in this situation?” Many writers place themselves in their stories, it’s a known fact. But that person that’s creeping up the back porch for a closer look at – whatever, or is driving across country in search of – whatever, yes even the protagonist searching for himself, trying to find out who he is – how close are you to him or her?

We write for different reasons. Many of us, out of need. A need to tell a story or to pull something out of us that is yearning to escape. We create people and versions of people we may know, or – as stated earlier – versions of ourselves. Could you befriend your main character? Is there a connection, a relationship brewing as you create?

An exercise I read up on, and one that is common with writers is as you are creating your character, imaging going out to dinner with her. What do you ask? How would you dress? How do you spark conversation with her?

There are many exercises to bring you on task with this. But I like to take on the approach of a news reporter interviewing the big lead. So, your main character is a forensic scientist. What would you ask her? What makes her brain tick? What did she eat for breakfast this morning? What interested you in making a career in your line of work?

Or is it a teacher with a weird sixth sense.  “When did you see your first dead person?” “Did he smell?” “Did he need a lift to the cemetery?”

When creating lead characters, we know we have to be inside their heads, we need to know everything about them, even facts that may probably not make it on the page, but we need to know. We need to grill them and find out every minute detail, sock size, favorite color, why they hate their sister.

So whether you’re just beginning that new story, are midway or are about a chapter away from writing those famous words “The End”, go back. Interrogate. Learn. Soak.

Your protagonist just may be waiting for you behind the door, sitting next to your desk, expecting to have dinner with you.