Figuring People Out: Birth Order and Your Characters

Photo by surely/stockxchange.com


So, there's a new man in my life and I can't figure him out.
Sure, he's just imaginary--the hero for my new work in progress (WIP). But it's driving me crazy that I can't nail his personality. Who is this guy?!
I've chatted about him in my critique group. I've even talked to my husband about him, if you can believe that!
This week I pulled out my dog-eared workbook from last year's MBT Storycrafter's Retreat. One thing bestselling author Susan May Warren suggests is to interview your character. During the interview, ask your character, "Who are you?" Keep asking why they do the things they do until you get to their motivations and values.
Okay. I've gotten over the listening to/talking back to the voices in my head thing that fiction writers do.
As I tried to get my guy--his name is Caleb--to tell me who he is, I realized he's a firstborn son. Aha! Time to do some research on birth order.
Dr. Kevin Leman wrote probably the best known book on birth order: The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are.
Basically, the birth order theory states that your position in your family--firstborn, middle child, youngest--influences your personality. What does birth order mean for Caleb, who is a firstborn son--and, for all intents and purposes, an only child? (I'm not telling you anything more because it will give away my story. Curious?)
Traits of Firstborn Children:

• confident
• organized
• tend to be selfish
• feel as though they are never good enough (hhhmm, interesting!)
• want things their way
• reliable
• "grin and bear it" mentality
• perfectionists
• logical

One website I checked out, The Effects of Birth Order on Personality, even suggested that firstborns gravitated to jobs in law, medicine, computer programming or architecture. That doesn't mean that Caleb's going to be a doctor or a lawyer, but it's given me some things to think about.

Next time you're trying to understand a character in your WIP, ask him or her, "What's your family like? Are you the oldest or the youngest?" Then do a little research on birth order--and weave that information into the story.

Birth Order (Child Development Institute)
Birth Order (Wikipedia)
The Power of Birth Order (Time magazine)

Writing Contests and Calls for Submissions

“You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.”—Ray Bradbury

Below you will find some opportunities for writers under the influence of an addiction to writing. For details, click on the links below.

Writing/Photo/Video Contest
Free contest. Judges will choose two writers and two photographs/videos based on the theme “intercultural communication and friendship.” Contestants should submit written pieces or photos/videos that demonstrate the promotion of cross-cultural understanding, friendship, and support for one another in their own community or abroad.

Prizes: The two Grand Prize winners of the Writing and Photo/Video contest will each receive one FREE two-week volunteer Quest to any of our short-term locations around the world. Airfare is not included. The two individuals who win Honorable Mention will receive 50% off one two-week Quest to any of our Short-Term locations as well. Grand Prize and Honorable Mention submissions will be published on the UP website, eNewsletter, and YouTube page.

The Gift of Freedom Contest Winner to Receive a $50,000 Grant
This contest offers a grant of $50,000 to one female writer who loves her work, seeks to improve, is community-minded, and is financially burdened. The application process is lengthy, but it is an amazing program. The Gift of Freedom supports women who have a track record of commitment to their art and who are also making a substantial effort to be self-sufficient. The successful applicant will have a well-articulated creative project concept and a clear plan for how it may accomplished. The next grant cycle will be in 2009.

Writing Contest for Fantasy Writers
Write a fantasy story, between 1,000 and 4,500 words long, inspired by the lovely piece of art. No entry fee. Deadline September 30, 2008. Top winner will receive an e-copy of the issue of the magazine and a standard SF/F magazine contract and will be paid to publish their story in the magazine. They will also receive their choice of a free print copy of the issue OR a mug with the front cover of the issue pictured along with their name and the title of their story. Runners-up will receive a choice between a mug with the cover of the issue or a free print copy of the issue.

12th Annual Robert Frost Foundation Annual Poetry Award
Write a poem “in the spirit of Robert Frost.” You can submit up to three poems. Prior published work may be submitted; for all work submitted to the Robert Frost Foundation, you retain copyright and the Robert Frost Foundation will request your permission if we choose to publish your work on our web site or in other foundation publications. Accepts email submissions. Deadline is September 15, 2008. $10 entry fee.

Poetry Submissions
Level 4 Press, Inc. seeks contemporary poetry to publish in its many poetry anthologies. Poets included receive a free copy of the anthology per poem included. Our focus is on high quality writing in general, and we have a particular interest in poetry. Roughly, 75% of our titles are poetry related. Our titles have already garnered 9 gold medals and 28 finalist awards in various literary contests.

Fiction Submissions
Green Mountain Review wants submission for stories around the themes "Shame" and "Glory" for an upcoming all-fiction double issue. Submission deadline is January 2, 2009.