The document discusses tips for character development in creative writing. It emphasizes observing people's mannerisms, conversations, and behaviors to bring characters to life in a compelling way for readers. The author finds inspiration by listening to people in the park, whose interactions and stories he turns into fully realized characters that readers can emotionally connect with and care about. By capturing the essence of real people, a writer can transport readers through the characters and create an experience that feels familiar yet imaginary.

1. Creative Writing Tips in Character Development
Everyone loves a good story. As readers, people want
entertainment through emotion. Whether it is through
laughter or tears, walking on the sunny shores of the
beach, or relaxing in front of a cozy fire in the woods;
regardless if we are a couple, or if alone. The character
in the story introduces us as readers to a life beyond our
imagination. We get taken through new experiences, living
our dreams and fantasies on pages of ink in times past and
through years to come. These stories help complete those
parts in our lives that somehow seem familiar to us, yet
have never occurred.
Now the goal of the writer seems quite different from
the outcome. The writer takes the opportunity to choose a
subject, and to express his or her thoughts on the matter.
The frame of mind is of one person expressing one's deepest
sentiments to unite the teacher and student with a similar
understanding and passion about that subject. Creative
writing forms a bond of emotion between an author and a
reader, one that keeps the reader coming back time and
again.
Most forms of writing has had some sort of
format, or style used over centuries now. Maybe it could be
verse, or prose; however, it is not dependent upon its

2. genre. There wasn't one form used. With the digital era,
multiple versions of office, word and blog forms have
developed. I have used multiple forms, and I have a blog
entitled From the Park Bench. Most of my inspiration is
found in natural environments such as parks and meadows. I
love the sound of nature, the lakes surrounded by ducks,
the trails for walkers and bikers alike. This is a place
where the morning sounds of the environment waking up,
invites you to appreciate this truly beautiful place. This
is an excellent starting point for any creative writer.
Find a place that inspires you. The world around you is
full of "prompts" for your writing. Your surroundings can
help you relax and to free your mind to become engaged in
topics, words and phrases to further your writing.
Other than being a park walker and a park writer,
I am most of all a park listener. Many of the park people
have become characters in my writing. I have learned to use
their conversations, including their words, their dialect,
the way they speak using slang, their body language, the
way they move and walk – their "swagger." All of the things
that define a person in life, these same effects create a
character in writing. This character can walk through the
park in front of me on a Monday morning, and my mind sees
them walk through a Farmer's Market smelling the peaches on

3. a Monday afternoon. The dialog between people in a relaxed
setting is most entertaining. Depending on the
relationship, just the back and forth banter can have you
wishing you had a paper and pen tucked in your pocket. Most
walkers at the park either have a partner, or a set of
headphones. For me, it is all about the person in front of
me, the next character who will travel the world, yet never
leave the park.
The most important thing about creative writing is
understanding you can bring such life into a character. The
influence this character has in the lives of your readers
can effectively create an emotional connection that touches
their heart so much, that should tragedy befall your
character, the reader experiences a sense of loss or grief.
In turn, if something jubilant occurs the reader
experiences elation along with the character. That is
creative writing and characterization at its best.
I remember walking behind a couple of women one
morning at the park. One was talking about her husband and
herself having went to New York to visit her daughter for
the holidays. Her daughter travels all over the world, and
she was so glad to go see her. Her daughter showed her
photographs of the places she had been. "It was so
exciting!" she had exclaimed. The women walking with her

4. remarked about her husband had some health issues, so their
son had to come and see them. They never traveled much to
begin with, but now, she did not think she would leave the
state before her time came. I just smiled, when I walked
past, as she was the perfect character for my next short
story, and I was thinking, "Oh, yes! You will go!" "Yes,
ma'am, the places you will go." I even cut my walk a little
short that day. I could not wait to get her on her way.