Creating Characters in Kid's Book
Using Psycho-Geometrics to Create Memorable Characters
Psycho-Geometrics, a system of categorizing people into personality types, can be used to develop a deeper understanding of the characters you are writing about.
What is Psycho-Geometrics?
In 1978 Dr Susan Dellinger invented a system of using geometric shapes to analyse and categorise psychological types. It is largely used in the business world, to help employees understand themselves, and more importantly, to understand the motives and actions of their co-workers.
Using Psycho-Geometrics to Understand More About your Children
The system is recommended by Phil Beadle in his book ‘Could Do Better,’ a guide for parents whose children are underachieving at school. He suggests that if parents understand which category their child fits into, they will be able to devise ways of learning that are more suited to him or her.
You Can Use Psycho-Geometrics in Characterization
The same process can be applied to the characters in your stories. Getting to know your characters in more depth is critical if you want to write characters that seem real to the children who read your books. This is just like getting to know any new acquaintance. In the beginning you get a quick sense of who the person is, based on their image and they way they present themselves publicly. Over days and weeks, as you spend time with them, you learn more about who they are, what their goals and values are and what drives them. You learn to recognise habits and personal quirks.
The System Can Give you a Broad Understanding of the Characters you Create
While the categories are too broad to bring the finer details to your characters, they can help create a broad canvas over which you can paint the idiosyncrasies that make your characters unique, multi-layered and believable.
The Five Geometric Shapes
The five shapes she has chosen are a square, a triangle, a rectangle, a circle and a squiggle.
Square:
People in this category are hard working and dependable. They like to finish things properly, to analyse situations, to be in control and they dislike change. They are organized, logical, conservative, loyal, and can be boring.
Triangle:
Triangles are leaders. They’re ambitious, motivated go-getters, decisive and focused. They’re strong, political, and make egotistical leaders.
Rectangle:
Rectangle people are always searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They’re inquisitive, exciting and growing, and like change. They’re brave and want to find out who they are. They can also be confused and unpredictable.
Circles:
Circles are the peacemakers and soothers of the world. They like to nurture other people, are generous, warm and empathetic. They’re also talkative and self-critical.
Squiggles:
Squiggle people are creative, intuitive, witty and motivated. They can become eccentric, impulsive and ungovernable.
Applying Psycho-Geometrics to your Writing
Take two characters from different groups, put them in a difficult situation and you will have endless conflicts to write about. Conflict is what drives your plot forward. The emotions conflict creates in your characters gives energy to your writing and engages the reader.
You can read more about creating emotions in writing in Writing Entertaining Teen Novels.
