However, that all changed one day during my junior year of high school. I knew one of the people who was running for a class office. A classmate of mine in my theatre class mentioned that his face looked like a snapping turtle. As much as I didn't want to see him that way, I couldn't help but think of it every time I saw him after I heard her say that. Because of this, I began to think of other ways that he might be like a snapping turtle. In a way, he was relentless like they seem to be. He would keep trying no matter what happened. At times, such as class elections, this could be good. However, when it came to relationships, this could be bad.
Choosing an animal and thinking about it's physical features, motions, attitudes and actions are ways to get ideas for a character. You can base a character purely on one animal. However, if you want to make a more in depth character choose two or three animals and pick the different characteristics you'd like for the character.
Perhaps your character has rings around her eyes like a raccoon. However, she may be as mean as a wild boar and have legs like that of a horse. While this may never match the actress chosen to play your character on the stage, it gives you an idea of the character that you are writing. It doesn't matter what type of actress a director chooses to play the character. Character creation is to help you. If you want to keep your character with all of these things, you should probably be writing short stories or novels. However, as long as these are just characteristcs for you to be able to write teh character in your play, you are doing well. Use any or all of the exercises mentioned in this blog. You can combine them or you can completely ignore them and go with your own writing habits. Whatever works for you is the right way for you. Remember, these are tools.
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