Why I Always Make Character Collages (Or Pinterest Boards)

Pinterest Boards. Character Collages. Playlists. A collection of random things that make you think about your character. This is a non-negotiable for me when I’m developing a new character. Why? Because it’s usually really hard. When I’m first drafting, nine out of ten times I don’t know the character enough to make a complete collage for them. And that’s why it’s so good. It forces me to search, scour the depths of what I know about them, and broaden my knowledge. 

I started out with collages that I designed on Canva for free, then moved into Pinterest boards. I have to say, I prefer Pinterest because there’s a much wider variety of images and quotes I can collect and organize. But a collage gives me the added benefit of choosing font styles, color schemes, picture sizes, and a thousand other things. (If you use Pinterest pictures in a collage, you get the best of both worlds).

But really, this is the best character development trick I have –aside from actually writing the character– because I have so many things to figure out. What color scheme works for this person? What kind of font is best for them? (Never underestimate the power of a good font) What quotes sum them up perfectly?

Now, the collages don’t always stay the same. Sometimes *cough cough* all the time *cough cough* I’ve put in a picture thinking the character will have a certain hobby or attribute and after I’ve written them, the character says otherwise. But it’s no big deal. I go back, I change it, and it’s a new character.

This is such a good trick for character development because it will show you what you don’t know better than if you shone a spotlight on it. No idea what their hobbies are? Be prepared to scour the web to find the perfect sport and picture of it. Ain’t got a clue as to what their style is? You are probably going to spend half an hour exploring color schemes. But in the end, you’ll have something that screams your character. 

This is where “a picture is worth a thousand words” comes into play. As an author, I personally believe that a picture is worth about two to three hundred words if you have good prose, but whatever. 

So all I can say to end this short post is this: Do it. Pinterest board, collage, whatever it is.  Do it. It will force you to get to know your character on a whole new level. And once you’ve made a pinterest board for them, gotten inside their head, how hard can it be to write them?