Live Theater...A Tool for Creation of Great Characters

Have you ever been to a professional play or musical? I recently went to see a live production of "The Three Musketeers" with my family. Aside from being a ton of fun, it also was an inspiring exercise for writing.

In live theater--much more so than in films or TV--the characters develop clear body language to help portray character and emotions. Facial expressions are exaggerated. Speech and tone of voice are larger-than-life. Why does this benefit us as writers? Because we spend so much of our time creating characters' actions, movements, quirks, and so on--nonverbal insights into what the character thinks and feels, into who the character really is.

Attend a live show and pay attention to how the actors portray their characters. You might be inspired!

:) Cheryl