Write characters who are not your age WELL

What’s more painfully obvious to us than an unauthentic or poorly represented character? NADA, BROMIGO.

What if you’re a teen writer who has a character that’s forty years your senior? Say he’s a war veteran with PTSD? Or what if you’re leaps and bounds from your teen years but you’ve decided your main character is an angsty teen who’s just trying to survive high school?

The prob is this, bob: you’re a kid who doesn’t have enough life experience to know what struggles an older character genuinely faces. Or you’re an adult who feels out of touch with what the kids are into these days.

So how do you bridge that gap? How do you write characters of a different age that are authentic and believable? How do you write characters of a different age that readers of the same age bracket will celebrate?

You use these three methods guaranteed to get you acquainted with an unfamiliar age group (and therefore help you create spot-on characters!):

Study the real deal
Interview friends and family
Read great example works

So what do these three methods entail? Let’s break it down and apply it ASAP!

Study The Real Deal

You need to study your target age group. Now, I don’t mean study humans like rats in a maze for the sake of your craft.

Nah, that’s just weird.

I mean this: place yourself in a public setting like Starbucks– a place where young and old alike gather for their legal hit of venti pumpkin spice uppers and do your research.

Be where your target age group likes to gather and simply listen. Be aware. Without creeping on people, listen to how your target age group talks:

What do they talk about?
How do they talk about it? Lingo, expressions, colloquialisms.
Do they use their hands to talk? Are they very expressive?
Who do they talk with?
What’s on their minds?

But don’t just listen, casually and *non-creepily* observe:

Are they reading? If so, what are they reading?
What do they carry with them?
Are they listening to music?
Are they on their phone?
Do they engage with others?
What are they drinking or eating?
What are they wearing?
How do they hold themselves? Upright and confident? Slacked and casual?

AGAIN: DON’T BE A CREEPY STALKER. People can sense that biz and it is NOT cool! So let’s NOT get any restraining orders today, ok? Simply let people come and go to your public setting of choice. Your goal is to lowkey observe your target age and gather research for your character of the same age. This valuable info will help you create a genuine character from this age group.

Now you might be saying, “Rae, can’t I just get the research I need from, like, a great character on my favorite show or something?”

Here’s the dealio:

You can’t get a good idea of your character age bracket from T.V. Netflix, blessed as it is, is not giving you shows with real people. They are giving you ideal people. Even if they are well-represented, organic characters, that character is still crafted by another human- their dialogue, their reactions, etc. You need to get the real deal: deconstructed humans. Humans who have no cues, no lines, and who have zero acting classes under their belts. Those peeps will give you the real deal- the ooey, gooey unfiltered stuff you’ll need to create an authentic character outside your age bracket.

Interview Friends and Family

You got some valuable resources right in your own backyard. You should take advantage of this gold mine where research is concerned! What do I mean?

Well, are you writing an older character? Why not ask your parents for advice? What about your aunt or uncle, a cool older cousin or even a grandparent? Why not even ask to interview a teacher you love or mentor?

And you adults: Got kids? What about nieces or nephews? Why not ask if you can interview them?

Yes, family and friends can help you. But before you pull a Jimmy Fallon on your target family member, gather specific questions for your interview.

Deeply understand your character and write questions based around this character that will get more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.

Need a little help coming up with ideas? Here are some starter questions:

Teens to adults:

What do you do for work? Do you like what you do?
Were you closer to your mom or dad growing up? And why that parent?
What matters more to you: making your family happy or securing your family financially?
What would your dream job be? Why?
What is something you fear?
What is one great memory from your childhood?
What is one thing you would like to do to improve the world?
What do you do to relax?
Do you suffer from past physical injuries? How do those injuries affect you even today?
What is the hardest thing for you to do in a day? The easiest?
Do you like going out or staying home on a free night?
Do you care more about looks or personality in a person?
What is one bad experience that shaped you into who you are today?
Do you believe in God or a greater power? If so why, if not why not?
What is one great experience that shaped you into who you are today?
How do you view your responsibilities? (job, housework, kids, etc.)

Adults to a younger interviewee:

How do you feel about social situations? (parties, family gatherings, etc.)
Are you more interested in hobbies or experiences? (playing video games versus going on a road trip)
What classes interest you the most? The least? Why?
What would you like to major in in college?
What do you think about politicians today?
Do you believe in God or a greater power? If so why, if not why not?
What do you look for in a teacher?
Who is your best friend? Why are they your best friend?
Do you care more about looks or personality in a person?
Are you more likely to talk about a bad experience you go through or keep it to yourself?
It’s a Saturday night: what are you going to do for fun?
What is one thing that you strongly identify with?
What are a few bands or songs that really speak to you right now?
What is one way you would like to change the world?

These are just a few general yet deep questions to get you going. The point is to understand this person deeply. Your list should be even more specific: create a list that embodies your character and his identity. Who in your family is most likely to identify with this character? The answer may surprise you! So why not plan to interview a few different family members at a time that works for them? Or why not even send them the questions via email and give them a chance to really think over these questions themselves and get back to you on them!

Now, what if you really don’t have any family members that fit the profile? Why not look up some biographies, memoirs or interviews of people who are similar to your target age bracket character? These honest, detailed stories will give you the same valuable info you’re looking for.

Read Great Example Works

There are a bun ton o’ books out there that have already nailed the age-bracket thing. It’s your job to do your research and read some of these works– see how they speak to their audience. How do their main characters show organic representations of their target age bracket? Take notes and write down what stands out to you the most!

Check out some of the works that have been celebrated by fans the world over for absolutely nailing their characters of a different age bracket:

Authors Who Wrote For A Different Age Bracket:

Now you might be saying, “Wait a minute Rae, why can’t I watch t.v. show examples of characters but I can read about different characters? What gives?!” Good question you.

The difference is that the art of character crafting in a book versus television is broken down much differently. And in the end, you’re aiming for the same goal as the best-selling author, not the screenwriter or playwright.

So grab some great reads and get to studying your craft, friend! 😉

You can write characters of a different age bracket WELL and BELIEVABLY. Why is it so important to get this seemingly small detail right? Because your readers care– plain and simple. If they feel your character doesn’t represent his age bracket well or his experiences, readers won’t believe in your book (or your writing skill!)

But as long as you study the real deal, interview friends and family members and read talented works by other authors you will be able to nail this avenue of character crafting.

What age is your main character? Has it been a challenge creating them so far? Share with me in the comments section your journey- I’d love to hear about your character crafting techniques!