A Day With Kuphre Anderson Brown

ASSIGNMENT PART TWO

A character sketch is a great idea, but sometimes the mere facts do not offer enough depth for the character. Think of the character sketch as a one dimensional picture of your character. One technique I recommend for fleshing out (developing) characters was created by Beck - is it summer yet? (59) . She has graciously allowed me to use her technique for this assignment.

3)  Follow this link
         ID: 1594608  (Rated: E)
Title: Characterization Secrets Revealed
Description: An article with ideas about how you can find out more about your characters
By: Beck - is it summer yet? (59)
read it, and apply the concept to your new character from part one of the assignment. Create a new piece where you or someone else interviews the new character you created for part one.

  Consider who is interviewing your character when you attempt the exercise. Is it a child asking questions or a professional journalist? 
  After you have sketched your new character and applied the interview techniques, post this as the 2nd part of assignment one.

  You may post it all as one assignment, just be sure to follow the directions here. The reason I suggest you post two separate items is because as writers we will take some time to create a character before we can sit down an interview him/her.



                   



It's Monday, 8th, February, 2010. Kuphre Anderson Brown turns sixteen (16) today. She has granted me an exclusive interview on her birthday. Today, at a fast food cafe on the outskirts of Lagos, I have the special privilege of raveling a unique character in a story I'm writing.

Poesy: It's nice to know you care enough to show up for an interview on your sixteenth birthday. I appreciate the sacrifice.

Kuphre: I promised you I'll be here. Even though I abandoned my own party, it feels good fulfilling a promise.

Poesy: Your action today totally conradicts rumors making the rounds that you are a possessive, spoilt, over-bearing character.

Kuphre: Am I glad we're having this discussion. You could help me annihilate their ignorance with your story. It's amazing how people pervert whatever they can't understand. I tire of such lameness just thinking about it, I just can't stand opinionated persons. But hopefully, you will clarify this misunderstanding?
(Kuphre's eyes appealing, penetrated my defence, searching my heart for shelter for her secrets.)

P: Of course, it's the reason we're having this interview.
(She sighs. Relieved. A little of her burdens thrown off. Mine multiplied.)
Let's talk about your parents. How has their divorce. . . you know separation, affected your personal relationships?

K: I don't think it has. . .  I mean (she squeezes her face) it couldn't have. I got friends, see, that's why I could be throwing a party right now. The guys back there (makes a pointing gesture in the diection she imagines her home might be) are all friends.

P: That's not exactly what I meant. Maybe, rephrasing the question would help. How has your background, you know coming from a family torn apart, having to be raised by a single parent. How have you been able to cope with these? Do you feel any strong emotion against men and boys generally, does it make you believe they are all the same? Like your father? Sorry.

K: I've been through some trying times, personally - I had a difficult childhood. Nobody asked me what I thought about my parents' 'mutual separation'. I wasn't consulted when they decided which parent I'd be staying with. Do you feel there's any living thing possessing a mind who would react differently to any appearance of affection after being subjected to my trauma? No. I do NOT hate men,  I bear no grudges against the other sex. I don't hate boys, really. But we all deal with our pains a little differently.

P: 'A little differently?'

K: Look, Poesy, it's your story, ok? If you wanted a perfect character we shouldn't be having this conversation. I'm human. I feel pain. I'm not perfect, don't expect me to be.
(She leans back on her sit, hugs herself and looks out at the empty street. She mutters almost absent-mindedly,) 'Shall hate be fairer lodged than gentle love?' (She was quoting William Shakespeare.)

P: (I picked a grain of truth from her words) So, it's a trust issue then?

K: I call it being careful, being realistic. Remember, my premise is founded on concrete experience.

P: I see. Do you have brothers or sisters?

K: Mother hasn't quite recovered from the separation to find the time to remarry. Dad's got three kids, a boy and two girls. Mother's the only family I got since I've never had the chance to meet my steps.

P: Do you feel robbed of your father's affection by these three steps? Feel like they stole his heart away?

K: A heart is what father never had. But, I don't feel threatened by them if that's where you're going.

P: What are your plans for the future?

K: Professional soccer, definitely. And after I retire from active football, I want to be a writer.

P: Final words?

K: (She sits up and I could feel the earnestness in her words.) I would feel good if you're not biased in your telling of this story. Let the reader judge my actions, play my life over in his heart and feel my passion for themselves. It's all I ask.