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Chapter 9: Creating Complicated, Well-Rounded Characters
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transactions that it’s a great way to reveal character through showing and
not telling. Remember that people’s attitude towards money can be unexpected.
For example, some people are very generous with money, but then
run into trouble when they get short. Other people count every penny and
hate to spend unless it’s absolutely necessary – but may therefore have funds
to help out in a crisis.
Have a go at writing the following five scenes. In each case, think about the
character’s thoughts, feelings and responses. Does she tell anyone? What does
she do with the money? What consequences does this choice have?
✓ Describe your character finding a £10 note in the street.
✓ Describe your character losing a bag containing £100.
✓ Describe your character winning £1,000 in the lottery.
✓ Describe your character losing £10,000 in a business transaction.
✓ Describe your character inheriting £100,000 from a relative.
Adapt these amounts to fit in with the society and status of the world of your
novel.
Try these exercises to help explore your characters’ attitude to money
(remember to show not tell):
✓ Describe your character passing a beggar in the street, revealing what
she does and the way she does it.
✓ Describe your character having a row with someone over money.
Depicting Sexuality and Gender
Sexual identity is one of the most important aspects of human beings. From
their earliest years, people are socialised as girls or boys and expected to
behave in accordance with those different roles.
Many psychologists believe that the real differences in the psychological
make-up of men and women are small, and that most of the differences are
caused by people’s social roles and the expectations that are placed on them.
For example, many women hide their more aggressive or assertive tendencies
because they’ve been taught that they should be passive, whereas men
are often expected to conceal their more emotional or sensitive responses.