In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Becca Puglisi offers advice for choosing the perfect talent for your characters. “One of the markers that can really boost individuality and memorability for a character is their particular talents or skills,” she says. “But despite the many talents and skills out there, we tend to see the same ones in books all the time.”
Puglisi suggests the following techniques:
- Go for Something Unusual. Rather than creating another athlete or artist, consider giving your character an unusual talent, such as lip-reading or sleight of hand. If you need an athlete, pick an unusual sport or activity.
- Encourage Your Character to Specialize. You can also take a common talent and make it unusual by adding specificity. Can your archer use a unique bow? Can your animal lover specialize in training traumatized animals? Find an angle that suits your character’s personality and your story.
- Give a Common Talent a Twist. Rather than giving your heroine musical talent, have her write music or craft instruments, Puglisi suggests. “A character’s photographic memory may only be reliable for a few hours after events have happened,” she adds. “A person who blows off steam by knitting might use their talent to create blankets for preemies or hats for the homeless.” Let the character’s use of their talent show something about their personality.
- Pair It with an Unexpected Personality Trait. Rather than creating a boring accountant who’s good with numbers, give that talent to an emotionally expressive, scatter-brained protagonist. Or go the opposite route – consider your hero’s personality and find a talent or skill that wouldn’t seem to suit them.
