Who's+in+your+story

“//Mr Wilson has done manual work, he has been to China, and has done a considerable amount of writing lately//.” said Holmes. Mr Jabez Wilson jumped up in his chair. “//How did you know all that, Mr Holmes//?” he asked. “//How did you know that I did manual labour? It’s true, for I began as a ship’s carpenter//.” “//Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is larger than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more developed//.” “//And the writing?//” “//What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the elbow where you rest upon the desk?//” “//Well, but China?//” “//The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right wrist could only have been done in China. When, in addition, I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, it becomes even more obvious//.”

Adapted from //The Red-Headed League//, by Arthur Conan Doyle See what the appearance and behavior of a person can tell us about him. These are clues to his background and personality, though, of course, not everyone can read others like the famous detective Sherlock Holmes. Even if your story is short, you should still give some information about the main characters.

You can't describe everything about the characters, but some qualities might be important for the story. For example, in the Sherlock Holmes story 'The Red-Headed League', which is a detective story, there are these characters:   **Sherlock Holmes**: Brilliant, has sharp observation. **Watsons**: Honest, loyal and brave
 * Mr Wilson**: Naïve, easily fooled
 * Spaulding**: Smart, cunning

//Our visitor looked like a common British tradesman, obese, serious and slow. He wore rather baggy gray trousers, a not over-clean coat, and a frayed hat. There was nothing remarkable about the man except his blazing red hair and an expression of extreme annoyance and discontent upon his features.// Does this sound like a man you would admire or have sympathy for?
 * See Watson’s description of Mr Wilson (adapted): **

I hope you can see how the qualities of these characters can help the development of the story and add interest.

You can give the reader clues through the character’s: Instead of saying “//John is a lazy boy//”, show the reader through
 * Physical features
 * Dressing
 * Manner of speech
 * Actions
 * Action**: //John always shuffles his feet slowly when he has to walk from one place to another.//
 * Speech**: //When Mother asks him whether he has finished his homework, John mumbles, “Not yet. Later.//”
 * Dressing**: //He wears mismatched clothes. Even the socks are of different colors//.

When you are about to write a story, consider:
 * 1) What kinds of characters are suitable for your story and would make it more interesting?
 * 2) What does the reader need to know about the characters? You can’t describe the person fully. But some qualities about that person might be important.
 * 3) How are you going to give information about these qualities?