Nourish Your Characters with SoulCollage®

By Laura Hegfield

Developing a character is like preparing a simmering pot of soup for your favorite guests. Whether you are a writer, an actor, storyteller or songwriter, when you create a new character you become the cook (or Nana), standing beside pot. You peek beneath the steamy lid, tasting it every once in a while. You add a little more of this and a pinch of that. Patiently you stir and adjust the heat. The attention to detail and the love you feel for your art bring forth the aroma that will beckon others to come and sample the pottage you have prepared.

Every good cook knows the best way to start a soup is with an excellent homemade stock. I propose using a SoulCollage® card as your "stock." It could be one you have made yourself or you can borrow one of mine (go to my Web site and click on one of the SoulCollage® cards in the slide show on the side bar.)

*Take a pack of blank recipe cards and write each of the questions below on the cards (one per card.) You will use a pen of a different color to answer the questions in the character's voice. This is also fun to do with a friend — your friend will be the scribe writing down the image's answers so you can really stay in the flow. Another option is to record the "conversation" and then write out the transcript. Don't edit while you are transcribing though... just be with the pure voice of the card for a while... let it simmer.

Once you have chosen a SoulCollage® card take a few moments to look deeply at the image. Allow yourself to sink into the card. Notice your breath... stay present to the experience. Ask the image "Who are you?"

Let it answer, starting with the words: "I am the one who…"

It doesn't really matter if you are using my card or one of your own for this recipe, because as the character speaks through you, the voice will be a reflection of your sub-conscious.

Next, try adding some of the following ingredients, by asking the image questions and answering with this voice:

Salt and Water: What are your most basic needs?

Carrots: What motivates you to take action in your life?

Yams: What keeps you grounded?

Onion: What would happen if you peeled away the layers of your public persona… who you are on the inside?

Cayenne & Cumin: Tell me some of your spicy secrets!

Thyme and Cilantro: If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?

Tomatoes … Now you get to continue fleshing this character out with questions of your own.

Exchange the vegetables, herbs and spices above with others to suit your taste.

Pour yourself a bowl: look back at what you have written so far and ask yourself one small question: Is anything missing? If so, add it!

Bon Appetite. •

© 2008 Laura Hegfield

7/17/08