The Secret to Writer’s Block: Color - Post Two

Fifty Shades of Black…or White:

Using Color Inspiration to Break Through Writer’s Block When Developing a Hero or a Villain

Everyone loves a hero.  We love the person that chooses to do the right thing in the face of an impossible choice.  We love it when they save the day.  We love a happy ending or a happily ever after.  But you know what else everyone loves?  A really good villain.  I’m not talking about a villain that is just straight up evil.  I’m talking about the villain that is layered, textured, and complicated.  The villain might be funny, or sexy, or ooze confidence.  You love to hate them and you love to see what they are going to do next.  

When I was little, my favorite Disney movie was Sleeping Beauty.  I loved the songs in it (I probably can still sing all the words to “Once Upon A Dream”). I loved the idea of being able to change your dress color with the flick of a wand.  I loved the budding romance between Aurora and Prince Phillip.  I loved it.  But my very favorite part?  Maleficent.  She was scary, yet regal.  She was powerful, yet flawed.  She was goth and fabulous and I loved watching her.  Plus, she turned herself into a fire breathing dragon...not even Daenerys could do that.  Considering Disney has come up with two live action sequels focused on the complexities and background of the “mistress of evil”, I’m clearly not the only one to think so.  It’s one of the reasons that I like to really spend time developing my characters.  Sometimes though, I get stuck and can’t figure out how to develop these complexities.

If you are having trouble writing a complex character, why not turn to a little color inspiration to help you break through?  Traditionally black has been the color of choice for villains - think vampires and witches - while white has been the color of choice for heroes - think angels.  One of the ways that I like to use color inspiration to help me, it to surround myself with objects of a certain color.  So, if this works for you, here are some ideas of objects that you can surround yourself with - villain vs. hero. 

The really, truly, 100% evil villain:

• Ink-  Most of us type out our ideas and stories nowadays.  But there’s something dark, mysterious, and a little romantic about good old fashioned ink.  Try a traditional quill and ink.  It’s harder than you think and the challenge may put you in a similar mindset to the villain you are trying to write.  Ink blots are also an interesting way to “see something” that you may be looking for.

• Makeup- Mascara, eye liner, eye shadow, lipstick- there are lots of different options to try.  Is your villain one that portrays their darkside through their look?  Try using your own face (or that of a loved one) to inspire how your character might see themselves or how others might see them.

The really, truly, 100% squeaky clean hero:

• Clouds- why not literally look toward the heavens for inspiration?  Clouds come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, just like your characters. Use the shapes, movement, and changing shades of color as inspiration to mold and form your characters.  

• Marshmallows- Anyone that has seen the original Ghostbusters movie remembers the scene with Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.  Ray essentially created the 100 foot sailor from his subconscious.  “I tried to think of the most harmless thing.  Something I loved from my childhood.  Something that could never ever possibly destroy us.  Mr. Stay Puft!”  Enough said. 

And my personal favorite - a combination of the two:

• Black and white photos- use the shading and shadows that show up to inspire the depth behind your characters

• Newspaper clippings- use news stories to inspire aspects of your characters- maybe a quality that you want to bring out or a background that you want to develop in order to explain a character arch

• Random other objects that might be around your house-  dice, dominoes, magic 8 ball, soccer ball:  all of these have their own complexity and purpose.  They also emphasize the contrast between the two colors.  Use this as inspiration for the importance of not just highlighting one side of a character, but also of showcasing the duality which is often present and extremely important to their development.

So, if you want a cookie cutter hero, just have them always do the right thing.  If you want a stereotypical bad guy, do the opposite.  But if you want a deep character that people will care about - love or hate - then work on their complexity and throw a little twist in there every once upon a time.  

I hope that these ideas help you to break through! 

Found a great source of inspiration that worked for you? 

Let me know!

Still getting writer’s block?  Tell me how I can help!