Getting into Character

The novel writing process is tough...figuring out how to start, what research needs to be done, how to create composite characters out of real individuals, how to keep true to your friends and lovers whom you might reference without betraying the true nature of the relationships (especially if they are critical to the story).

Nothing is tougher however,than trying to "get into character," especially when the character has many facets, plays many roles, and yet must remain the same across time and across the different roles.

The Philogynist will be organized into 9 parts:

1. Passing
2. Psychiatric
3. Passion
4. Politics
5. Painting
6. Poetry
7. Pints
8. Pornography
9. Pilgrimage

And as this novel is a cathartic process, I will delve deep into myself - with God's blessing and a lot of courage - and of course as a writer, rev up the intensity and put some elements in a more extreme light (otherwise it would be pretty boring).

But I am now in the process of trying to find the characters/roles of the Philogynist. And the way I found to do this is to create a series of self-portraits, using the same photo, and doing a variation on it to reflect the nature of the character/role.

I will start with four: psychiatric, painter, pornographer, and poet.

Final photos of the series will be posted.

Any thoughts, feedback, constructive criticisms?