Any time is a great time to people watch, and get some tips for when you are creating characters for your novel. If you are meeting with family and friends, or out and about, take a few moments to observe tell-tale signs that show how people are feeling.
Observe the look on the grandmother's face when a grandchild is placed in her lap, and her movements as she rocks him. Watch how a small child jumps up and down with excitement. How does someone behave who is trying to shrink into the background . . . what about the person who wants to be the centre of attention?
Look at people's faces, their expressions, the way they lean forward or back, their dress, their make-up (or lack of) . . . all the things that show their personality and how they are feeling.
If you get the chance, jot your observations down in a file or notebook, including as many details as you can remember. These will help you bring your characters to life when you get back to writing.
The best people to watch are the same age as the characters in your novel, so if you’re writing for 8-11s, see if you can find some children this age to watch – perhaps at church, or in your family.
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