Different Children, Different Characters

Because I have been writing a lot recently, I've been thinking about plenty of different characters and trying to pin down what makes them distinct from each other.

As a by-product of this, I've been looking at my children through different eyes. I have been looking at them as characters and watching to see how they will respond in different situations. And since they are real life (and not the kind of flat fiction that comes unbidden from my clacking fingertips), they are each unique individuals. They each respond differently to the same stimulus. Part of that is because of the age differences between them but part of that is all personality.

Here's an example scenario. This is real life, something that has happened to each of my kids, and they have all responded in a way that tells you something about the singularly special boy that they are.

Here's the scene: The boy is wearing a T-shirt or sweatshirt with a recognizable superhero logo on it. An adult notices and smiles at them, then greets them by the name of the superhero whose logo they are sporting.

Soren's response: Indignation. "I'm not Superman! I'm [insert long, foreign-sounding name here]!" And then he will boycott that article of clothing for the rest of his life.

Carl's response: Glee and wonder. "Mom! That man called me Batman!" And then he will check his hood to make sure that his bat ears are properly displayed to maximum effect.

Sven's response: Affection. "Eh!" And then he will lean towards the speaker, reaching out his arms and resting his head on their chest if possible.

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