Let’s get back into the Character Under A Microscope series where I dig deep into character development. Today, I want to talk about walking. Walk is one of those bland verbs that can be replaced with something more descriptive. Everyone crosses space at some point, but how does each person do it differently? Now, you don’t have to spend a whole paragraph describing how someone walks, but try to give each person a unique gait.
A Character’s Gait
Beyond the general appearance of someone, a gait is one of the most distinct and recognizable aspects of a person. When you see someone across a large distance, you can usually tell who it is by how that person moves. Even dogs can recognize their owners from afar by their gait. If walking is so distinct it can help identify someone at a distance, it should get some spotlight in your story. Plus, you get rid of a vague verb and create a better image in the reader’s mind.
Now, when you opened this post, you probably assumed I was going to list other verbs for walking. That will not be the case. You can use a thesaurus if you want different verbs to replace walking. This article is going to be about how the whole body contributes to a walking style and how you can think about that as you create unique gaits for your characters. Let’s get started.
Foot Placement
Starting at the bottom and most crucial part of the walk, let’s talk about foot placement. If you ever looked into shoe inserts, you’ll know everyone holds their body on their feet differently with different pressure points. This will affect how they walk. Some may walk flat-footed, pigeon-toed, or duck-footed. Certain people walk with all the weight on their toes, but even that can be subdivided. Do they walk on their toes as if sneaking around or is the step more bouncy and flamboyant? If the person spent years in marching band, they might walk with a very precise roll of the foot from heel to toe like a march. You can also think of the weight of the steps, deciding if they are heavy stomps or whisper-soft.
Stride
Next, figure out your character’s stride. This is more to do with the movement than how the body is held. Does he take long steps or short? Are they smooth or jarring? Are they rushed or sluggish? Maybe your character shuffles instead of picking up the feet properly. Is there a bounce in the steps? Are the strides wide so it looks more like a waddle or do the legs cross in front of each other like a runway model?
There could also be a limp, but make sure you think about how that limp looks. It could be a quick step like there is something in his shoe and he doesn’t want to stand on it long. Maybe he drags one foot sideways when he steps. Perhaps his knee doesn’t bend so he swings his leg to the side and around each time. If you know what the injury or issue is, then you’ll be able to create a more accurate picture of how the character will move.
Torso
When walking, the entire body is engaged, including the torso. Depending on the stride, it can twist the hips and give the upper body almost a slight shimmy movement. Some people can walk while holding their upper bodies completely still, giving them the appearance of gliding. Others will hunch forward or lean back. The shoulders can be relaxed or rigid or maybe even have a slight roll to them. This section of the body is probably the most overlooked part when studying a person’s walk so take some time to observe around you and see what little details you can pick up.
Arms
A common feature of walking is arm movement. People swing their arms at different speeds to different heights or angles, while some don’t move their arms at all. Of those that swing their arms, are the limbs loose or stiff? Do they bend the elbows or not? Maybe they have a slight roll to their arms like they are subtly swimming through the air.
Also, you can think about hand placement. There are people who can’t walk past something without running their hand along it. Do they keep their hands in pockets, in fists, or relaxed? Is there something they always have in hand, like a phone or water bottle? The object may change the way they move by pulling them slightly to one side or making them swing that arm farther than the other.
Head
Lastly, you can think about how a character holds their head while walking. The part of the body will give insight into their focus. Is his chin level with the ground like he has proper posture? Or does he stare at the floor or walk with his nose in the air? Maybe the person’s head pivots back and forth surveying the surroundings at all times. Does the head sway with the steps? Perhaps it wiggles like a bobblehead as he walks. If the character has a ponytail, often the hair will swing back and forth if the steps are energetic. Or, if there are curls, they may bounce if the person has a springy step.
The Significance Of A Character’s Walk
Beyond just making a character memorable and using more specific verbs, determining your character’s walk will give readers insight on that person. How someone walks is usually determined by their attitude and personality. A cheery individual will walk differently than a sulky one. A confident person moves differently than a self-conscious one. You can show readers what kind of person your character is without actually telling them anything.
Look at your character’s personality and pick a walk that speaks to who they are as a person. You can keep that image consistent and change it when it’ll be the most impactful. For instance, a cheery person losing the pep in her step will convey more about her emotions in a scene than stating the emotions. Similarly, a self-conscious man who walks with confidence at the end of the story will show he embraced his internal arc’s lesson.
Final Thoughts
By determining all these aspects of a character’s walk, you can have an arsenal of ways to describe your character’s movements without being repetitive. Each time you want to highlight the walk, point at a different body part or use verbs that speak to the overall feel of the gait. She pranced on her toes, her shoulders shimmied, her head swayed to some upbeat song only she could hear, her curls bounced, etc. Each of these give a clear image of the same person and her attitude.
I encourage you to take some time to observe those around you as they walk. You can even figure out your own gait (if you can pay attention to it without altering it), but at least go sit in a busy place to watch people walk. Pay attention to all the little sections I pointed out and see what else you can identify about people’s gait. Then go home and try different strides to see what you think of them. How do they make you feel? Put your research on the page, and your characters will pop in readers’ minds.
Thanks for reading!
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