People are complicated, and much of what makes us who we are is hidden beneath the surface. As we interact with different people, we reveal different layers of ourselves. The same is true of your character—they will express themselves differently depending on the people around them.
How well do you know your character? And how well do the people around them know them? Let’s look at the three faces your character wears.
Three Faces of Self
There’s a quote floating around the internet right now which goes like this:
The Japanese say you have three faces. The first face, you show to the world. The second face, you show to your close friends, and your family. The third face, you never show anyone. It is the truest reflection of who you are.
Setting aside the fact that it’s probably about as Japanese as my big toe, it provides some interesting questions.
Your Character’s Faces
Think of “faces” as what’s showing: expression, opinion, reaction. Each face represents a different way your character interacts with and reveals themselves to the world.
Each face reveals a different aspect of your character. It’s easy to focus on just one or two faces, but exploring all three in turn will help you understand your character better and make them feel more full, well-rounded, and believable.
For example, you may have already written tons about your spunky college-grad protagonist in the company of “the world” (co-workers, crowds, competitors), but haven’t spent much time exploring them when with family. Or maybe, you’ve slung thousands of words exploring your female private eye’s head when she’s alone, but very few at the police station (the “world”) trying to fit in with a culture she doesn’t much enjoy.
Uncover All Three
You may find it easier to write about one or two faces. Take the time, though, to explore all three.
You’ll find that each face informs the other two, and as you reveal each one, you’ll add dimension to your character and help your readers connect with them even more deeply.
Which face have you focused on most? Which face do you find most challenging to write? Let me know in the comments.
PRACTICE
Today, I want you to take fifteen minutes and write a scene exploring one of these faces—specifically the one you’ve least written.
Explore who your character is when they’re either public (the first face), with close friends or family (the second face), or not public at all (the third face, completely alone). What your character reveals might surprise you.
When you’ve finished, share your scene in the comments and leave feedback for your fellow writers.
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