The focus of a character study is an in-depth look at the character's behavior, personality, and motivations, often including internal dialogue and putting the character in situations where they have to overcome obstacles and make decisions. It's often the case that the main focus in such a story is the character's arc, so expect their flaws to come up and expect change/growth.
We all know the big questions asked during any story. An action scene looks at *what*, the mystery at how, and so on. A character study plants its feet in "***why***" and forwards its mail there. Other parts of the story, including the plot, the other characters and environment, tend to be tools used to show why the character is acting/thinking the way they are. This means putting them in a boring or predictable situation isn't going to help. A character walks into a hamburger restaurant and orders a hamburger. Nothing important is learned here. A character walks into a hamburger restaurant and notices a stern/angry man talking to a sad/crying woman. What do they assume is happening -- or do they assume nothing? Do they intervene? Eavesdrop? Ignore it? Punch the guy? Does it remind them of anything? Do they have a flashback and leave?
Character studies tend to be Oscar Bait movies. The Godfather, Black Swan, Citizen Kane, for example. I say "Breakfast Club". It's not especially action-packed, but you lock five people in a room with nothing to do but interact with each other, and you'll see why they are what they are.
If your work is exploring the characters by their behavior more than most works, it probably counts. You can easily make a character study with other things going on of course, but if you keep asking why, it's a fitting tag, even if your work has other things going on.
I hope that helps.
Thanks!
My only story began as a character study, I had a very specific "why" I wanted to ask. Then it kind of snowballed on me and the tag remained on it like scar tissue.
You're certainly welcome. I should quickly add that I'm not suggesting a specific writing style or anything -- only letting you know if the tag fits or not. And I'm a strong believer that a story can be a character study, *and also other things*, which of course fits the AO3 tagging system.
Have fun writing!
According to the dictionary.
"Character study" noun. a work of fiction in which the delineation of the central character's personality is more important than the plot.
I think the definition is only categorical. It relies on the writer choosing to write a character study from the beginning. I'm not sure that is always true for those that use it as a tag.
Sometimes I think the vague restrictions of tag definitions is a good thing. Sometimes I am completely lost. I just hope my fic will be properly tagged at the end of the day :)
One the most annoying things is people reading or watching a character study an then complaining that it was acting like one in the first place as if it was not obvious earlier
That an just people watching media in general a sizable amount of people warfhes a while road trip show am then got mad the ending was not the same end as what they said 23 episodes ago like bro that's the whole point
The focus of a character study is an in-depth look at the character's behavior, personality, and motivations, often including internal dialogue and putting the character in situations where they have to overcome obstacles and make decisions. It's often the case that the main focus in such a story is the character's arc, so expect their flaws to come up and expect change/growth. We all know the big questions asked during any story. An action scene looks at *what*, the mystery at how, and so on. A character study plants its feet in "***why***" and forwards its mail there. Other parts of the story, including the plot, the other characters and environment, tend to be tools used to show why the character is acting/thinking the way they are. This means putting them in a boring or predictable situation isn't going to help. A character walks into a hamburger restaurant and orders a hamburger. Nothing important is learned here. A character walks into a hamburger restaurant and notices a stern/angry man talking to a sad/crying woman. What do they assume is happening -- or do they assume nothing? Do they intervene? Eavesdrop? Ignore it? Punch the guy? Does it remind them of anything? Do they have a flashback and leave? Character studies tend to be Oscar Bait movies. The Godfather, Black Swan, Citizen Kane, for example. I say "Breakfast Club". It's not especially action-packed, but you lock five people in a room with nothing to do but interact with each other, and you'll see why they are what they are. If your work is exploring the characters by their behavior more than most works, it probably counts. You can easily make a character study with other things going on of course, but if you keep asking why, it's a fitting tag, even if your work has other things going on. I hope that helps.
Perfectly said!
Thanks! My only story began as a character study, I had a very specific "why" I wanted to ask. Then it kind of snowballed on me and the tag remained on it like scar tissue.
Think of it as a belly button.
Thank you for this very thought-out and detailed answer !
You're certainly welcome. I should quickly add that I'm not suggesting a specific writing style or anything -- only letting you know if the tag fits or not. And I'm a strong believer that a story can be a character study, *and also other things*, which of course fits the AO3 tagging system. Have fun writing!
Thank you ! Indeed, I hope my work will be properly tagged (but I should go back to writing it if I ever want this to be tagged...).
Now I know what my fic is. Thanks for this detailed explanation!
You're certainly welcome, glad I could help!
According to the dictionary. "Character study" noun. a work of fiction in which the delineation of the central character's personality is more important than the plot.
Sounds based, I should have probably looked at the dictionary before asking. Thanks !
I think the definition is only categorical. It relies on the writer choosing to write a character study from the beginning. I'm not sure that is always true for those that use it as a tag.
Sometimes I think the vague restrictions of tag definitions is a good thing. Sometimes I am completely lost. I just hope my fic will be properly tagged at the end of the day :)
One the most annoying things is people reading or watching a character study an then complaining that it was acting like one in the first place as if it was not obvious earlier
You mean, people not reading the tags ?
That an just people watching media in general a sizable amount of people warfhes a while road trip show am then got mad the ending was not the same end as what they said 23 episodes ago like bro that's the whole point