My high school drama teacher had a quirky habit: first he’d pull on his nose, and then he’d push on it. One day, in the midst of a discussion about mannerisms, he told us where this habit came from: As a child he’d grown anxious that when adults said he had a “cute little pug nose” they really meant “he looks like a pig.” So he’d begun pulling on it to make it longer. Then one day, his grandmother told him that if he didn’t stop tugging it his nose would end up looking like a sausage. That was even worse! But he couldn’t break the habit of pulling on it, so he adopted a second mannerism of “putting it back.” This two-part nose-fix had long since become a subconscious mannerism. Which is to say that he was normally unaware he was doing it.
Good writers imbue their characters, whether invented or historical, with traits and mannerisms “borrowed” from real life. But not all characteristics are conscious. In fact, two of the four categories in the Johari Window used by psychologists to analyze human behavior, are traits we are unware of. Hence, good writing will mirror real life by depicting subconscious as well as conscious mannerisms.
Many years ago, my band The Daily Planet appeared on an ABC TV special. One of the soloists on that show was a Texan named Danny O’Connor. Danny was normally down-to-earth. But he’d change when a woman approached, any woman, even though he had a wife and a baby at home. He’d track her with his eyes and become “handsy,” touching her repeatedly. We figured he just needed to reign in his hormones. But…
Almost ten years later I stumbled across a best-seller entitled Canary: The Story of a Transsexual. It was about a young man who’d undergone a sex change (very rare back then) to become a woman named Canary Conn. “Holy crap!” I blurted aloud in the bookstore, “It’s Danny!” And then I understood. Danny didn’t watch and touch women because he wanted them, he watched and touched women because he wanted to be one.
Try creating a Character Catalogue. And every time you notice someone with interesting subconscious traits, add a thumbnail description of that person to your Catalogue. Then, when you’re writing, peruse your catalogue for people with provocative idiosyncrasies with which to flesh out your story. If you’re writing non-fiction, do this with the people you’re researching.
Underpinning your characters with subconscious mannerisms will add layers of subtext to your writing. Whether you choose to explain these mannerisms or leave the reader to ruminate over them, or reveal why at the end of your story, you’ll have added…
Significant depth to your writing.
Great tip. Need to try to implement this a bit. Thanks!
My privilege, AJ!
Wonderful encouragement here, Mitch, to add richness and depth with examples. And those you shared were potent! Thank you! 😊
My pleasure, Victoria.
I liked your story, and the tip!
Mitch! This is hugely helpful and uncannily timely. I’m about to dive back in to writing fiction and this is exactly the kind of thing that can make the people in my stories more realistic and relatable. Thank you!
Glad it’s of use, my friend!
Great post.
Thank you, Molly.
Hmm, I think I have triple catching-up to do. When I was growing up, I hardly ever looked up at anyone — maybe part of an autism spectrum thing (which didn’t exist in those days). Then I was told it was impolite to notice mannerisms. I think also my parents were paranoid — they were always saying “stop making faces” whenever I looked to them sad, angry,… any emotion. They also thought gestures were rude or impolite. Third, I’ve heard a few times on crime shows a new expression: “it’s a tell.” It’s a subconscious mannerism which reveals when a suspect is lying or a gambler is bluffing etc. I suppose many people don’t pay careful attention to mannerism because maybe comics wouldn’t do so well and be so funny if it wasn’t for their skill at spotting interesting mannerisms.
Sounds like a good tip. I think I should stop now because I’ve fallen off my chair and can’t reach the mouse and it’s going to get away and eat the cheese… I need that for lunch… before the card game. (bluffing — no game)
;>) Of course, writers to need to be stealthy in observing others’ mannerisms, Doug, but that makes it all the more fun.
Watch the world. It will tell you everything!
Good ideas! Now I’m going to be watching people for mannerisms, I like the idea of writing them down. Thanks!
Have fun, Martha!
As someone with Tourette syndrome, it’s hard for me to view these tics as anything but a tic disorder such as TS. This is a good reminder that most people have some sort of common movement or ‘tell’ like Danny’s. I think keeping a repository of these is a good idea, although I have no plans to write any fiction so maybe just a chance to practice my writing skills.
Practice away, Jeff.
I like this idea. I just wrote it down in my writing notes!
Excellent ideas and techniques, Mitch!
Using the Enneagram of Personality to create characters parallels your suggestions. Writers use the Enneagram “types” to create fictional people with progressive traits and behaviors who react realistically to plot events.
The Enneagram books and websites often list examples of celebrities who match the nine Enneagram types. A quick internet search displays web pages and YouTube videos about these celebrities, giving writers the opportunity to harvest type-matched mannerisms.
Thanks for the additional input, Grant!
An excellent tip I’ve never considered. Thanks, Mitch!
My pleasure, Rosaliene.
Excellent idea!
Thank you so much for educating me, Mitch!
My pleasure, Kellye!
Wonderful post! This is great information.
Glad it’s of use to you, Juliet!
Great writing tips. We learn so much from observing others. Not only do those attributes and habits become a source of good writing, but as an actor, they also lead to character development.
Absolutely, Kathy. And other artforms, as well.
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I love this! What a great writing tip! Thanks!
Glad it’s of use to you, Kay!
hmmmm … now you’ve got me people-watching even more! Great tip, thank you for sharing!
My pleasure, Summer, and good to meet you!