Character Interrogation

Often times when I hit a wall in my story it’s not because I run out of ideas, it’s because I’m trying to understand my character’s as if they are real people with tangled minds.

As I am their creator, you’d think I’d know exactly how they’d respond to the wrench I threw into the plot. How that horrible past I saddled them with would make them hesitant, or fearful, or recklessly driven.

But real people aren't always consistent in their actions. Our emotions can pinch on a certain nerve and suddenly we are not ourselves. Or maybe that’s when we show our true colors.

We are all familiar with the idea of a character sketch where you sort of plot out a cast member and their journey. Fears, motivations, backstory. Perhaps you have a file where you collected images, places they’d been, something they might wear.

 

Some authors have even come up with the incredibly bright idea of interviewing their characters. I have seen some done amazingly well, and they sucked me right in.

In an interview you offer up information you are comfortable giving. You paste on a smile, you might have even prepared some responses. In essence, this is a time when you put your best foot forward. Love it!

But sometimes our characters are too stubborn for a polite interview. The difference between and interview and an interrogation might seem subtle, but in truth couldn't be more vast.

Skilled interrogators are trained to catch you at a weak moment, push you to the brink, draw out your deepest, darkest secrets. They worm into your mind and untangle your psyche. The bust open the locked up places and flood them with harsh light.

There are instances when this is exactly what you need to do to peel back the layers of your character. Mine often feel so much like real people this is the only way I can get the answers I need to move forward with my story.

So how do you conduct a character interrogation?

1. Ask the really tough questions. The ones that would make even you squirm.
2. Push them to the brink. You have the advantage of having the complete cheat-sheet here. Put your self in their shoes and poke at that wound, figure out who they are when the pressure is on. Maybe take them on a path they don’t even need to travel for your story to prove what they’re made of.
3. Make them sweat it out. Don’t let their refusal deter you. A good interrogator knows when to weaponize their silence.
4. Raise the stakes. When we have something to lose, our priorities can change. Find out what triggers inspire their courage, or reduce them to fear. What will shake them and what will break them.
5. Offer incentives. This can expose their hidden motivations. Are they looking for a way out or a clean conscience? Where is the line and how far will they go to reach their goal.
6. Note their body language. Very often our actions will give us away before our words. Don’t take their confession at face value until you study up on your subject.
7. Don’t be afraid to switch up your tactic. Good cop. Bad cop. If the hard edge won’t make them crack, muster up some compassion. Make it a safe place. Offer them refuge in exchange for the truth.

So go forth, terrorize your characters to uncover those layers even you didn't know existed. Happy interrogating!

Your turn: Has one of your characters ever surprised you? Even though you know them better than anyone, do you ever feel like they are hiding things from you? What methods do you use to get into your character’s head?