Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Does Your Character Pick His Nose?

Warning: This post is gross. The subject? Awful. I'm so sorry to put you through this, but for some reason, I must.

How well do you know your characters? I mean, really know your characters. It's time to go to an ugly place and get dirty.

Does your main character pick his nose?



No? Well, has he ever picked his nose? When he was a child, did he dig up in there? Did he ever eat what came out? Did he get teased and decide right then and there he'd never pick it again?

Or is the answer yes? Is he discreet? Does he fling the contents? Wipe them, or (please tell me no) eat them? Does he ever unearth goodies from his nostrils in public?

Has anyone caught him recently? How would he feel if he looked over, mid-pick, and saw someone watching him? Would it bother him? Or would he shake it off with a laugh?

Hey, this stuff is important. If your character picks his nose in public, you know he's not only confident but doesn't care a fig for other's opinions. His co-workers avoid him and maybe grimace when he walks by. If he has a girlfriend, she's probably either completely grossed out and actively trying to change him, or she's just as obnoxious as he is.

If he's a sneaky picker, you can go full out on his reasons why. My goodness--the possibilities! Why does he feel the need to pick and why does he need to hide it?

On a similar note, do any of your characters adjust their undergarments? Scratch themselves? Sniff their armpits?

Will any of these actions show up in a book? Probably not. But knowing your character's dirty little habits provides insight into their character and motivation for their actions.

Join me on Friday when we'll talk about character's clothing.

Happy Writing!

25 comments:

  1. Okay - that was a classic post. Way too much fun! In 5th grade, I wrote a story called "What's So Gross ABout Picking Your Nose." Where my mian character gets caught picking his nose. It was a big time favorite among my classmates and I ended up making the story into a series. I still have it and read it to my 5th graders every year. They get a major kick out of it. :) The main character's name is Pewie.

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  2. Oh.My.Goodness!!! What a funny post! I would have to say I have NEVER given my hero/heroine and nasty habit. I don't think I could stand them if I did! lolol
    Thanks for a great laugh, Jill!

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  3. What a great way to get to know your characters!! I love it!

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  4. My character checks her pits for sweat!! SHe is so embarraassed. LOL Good post!

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  5. Good morning!

    Katie: Pewie deserves to be published--seriously! It would be a huge hit with the elementary schoolkids!

    Sherrinda: I know, I know. How gross is that? Neither of my characters pick their noses, but I'm pretty sure my hero is an "adjuster" if you catch my drift.

    MeganRebekah: Does anyone really need to know this about their characters? Probably not! I don't even want to know it about real people!

    Terri: As do I, and I get embarrassed too. Ha!!

    Wendy: So gross--so sorry!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  6. LOLOL...I thought all heroes were "adjusters"!!!!! :) You made me smile!

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  7. When it comes to writing topics you really know how to pick em...

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  8. What a really good post! It is important to figure out those idiosyncracies, now that you mention it. Although, I'd have an awkward supporting character openly pick his/her nose. ;)

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  9. Lol, that's just gross! I had to scroll past the picture really quick :D I'm going to have to think on this one. I really like my hero. I pretend he doesn't do any of these things. I just found out he speaks two other languages. He doesn't have time to pick his nose. I am in denial :(

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  10. Sherrinda: You know, you're right! Gotta love those alpha males!

    Marty: Welcome and I have to say, nice pun...I do really know how to "pick them." Ha!!

    Janna: Ooo, you've given me something to think about. An awkward supporting character could pick his/her nose--yes!

    Cindy: It is gross! Yuck! Your hero doesn't have time to pick his nose. You're not in denial. Now, he might have time to pick his teeth...

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  11. Great post, Jill! I could have done with the picture though. :)

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  12. Okay, I'm never reading your posts while eating again!!!

    But I see your point. To KNOW your characters means knowing everything!!

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  13. Davin: You didn't like the pic? I have a confession. About 15 years ago, a National Enquirer ran a story on Camilla Bowles and featured a picture of her with her finger halfway up her nose. I laughed so hard I made it into a magnet and it's still on my fridge today! It's hilarious!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. Eileen: Now you've got me thinking--could the picture be a weight loss tool? Ha! Sorry about ruining your snack.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. Eeew! I saw your trailer on Twitter and thought you were just joking about the post being gross! But you weren't kidding!!! :) I love these character posts, Jill. They're getting my brain churning as I start on my next novel!

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  16. Jody: It's getting something churning, probably your stomach! Friday's and next week's posts are not disgusting, I promise! Good luck with your new book!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  17. Oh dear that is hilarious. I never considered it...I may have to think about which character would do that and add it in ;)

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  18. You are hilarious! No, my hero would never, ever pick his nose. As if. *haughty sniff*

    :-)

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  19. Mmmm...nose picking. I had not thought of that one. I totally agree that we need to know all those details. You should check out my Wednesday post at Give a Girl a Pen. It focuses on details like this...but maybe not quite so gross.

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  20. Oh, that picture! Now I have that image burned in my brain. Can he get his finger any further?

    But, seriously, this is a great discussion. On my first draft, I don't know much about my characters, but by the third or fourth I'm pretty close to them.

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  21. Marybeth: Welcome! I apologize for your first foray being the nose picking post. Sigh. Normally not as nasty!

    Jessica: Of course he wouldn't! The horror!

    Joyce: Thanks--I'll check it out!

    Tess: I know! It's as if he's digging a hole to China! I hate to break it to him there's no pot o' gold at the end of THAT rainbow!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  22. That's intimate knowledge of your characters, that. :)

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  23. Oh, dear.
    You have hit on a topic that we may think about but not have the courage to write or talk about.
    AWFULLY funny, though!
    Jen
    Audience of ONE

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  24. Angie: Let's just put it into the old TMI category!

    Jeanette: I can guarantee I'll never have the courage to make my character pick his nose in my book. But between scenes, off camera, he might get in there!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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