What are Character Skins all about?
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1. What is your book 'I Know Who You Are!' about?
Mariam: 'I Know Who You Are!' is a book about people and life. It presents the concept of Character Skins which will, in general, help people understand their family members, friends, colleagues and strangers, in a better way.
Fatima: The book progresses on two fronts, the first being the story of Sultan and how he, along with his family, moves into their new house during the summer holidays. During this process he finds a treasure and comes into contact with his long lost friend, his grandfather.
The other front is the establishment of the concept that people have different Character Skins which are responsible for their behaviour and actions. This concept is woven beautifully into the life of Sultan. |
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2. Could you elaborate the concept of the Character Skins that you have presented in the book?
Mariam: The concept of Character Skins is introduced in the book in these words:
What the Soul is to the Body – A Character Skin is to the Personality
As the Body wears a Soul - The Personality wears a Character Skin |
Fatima: Every person has a Character Skin which determines how a person would talk, behave and how he would react in different situations. In the book we present five Character Skins which are all unique in appearance, insight and behaviour – Headspin, Scuff, Flipside, Hammerhead and Sticklip
Every Character Skins has a different relation with the other. A Scuff would get along very well with Headspin but might not have a smooth relationship with Hammerhead. Similarly Sticklip and Flipside are really compatible. So it is really important to know the Character Skins of the people around you to choose which Character Skins you would like to be.
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3. Which Character Skin was the most challenging to design and develop?
Fatima: Developing an insight for Flipside and Scuff was a time swallowing task. It took us quiet some time to find justifications these Character Skins would put forward to support their words and actions.
Mariam: While writing the Character Skins, it was very clear in our minds that we did not want to show any particular character with grey shades. Our aim was to make people aware that everyone has a good reason, good in the true sense, for doing what they do. Even if an act looks unacceptable, it is done with a reasoning, which according to the person who does it, is positive. To create this good intention for all the Character Skins was difficult, also for Headspin. |
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4. How has the concept of Character Skins affected your lives?
Fatima: The concept of Character Skins has simplified our lives. We know people around us are different from each other and from us; so they need differentiated attention, dialogue, time and level of understanding. Once you are able to identify people as Hammerhead, Scuff, Flipside, Sticklip, Headspin or Polish, you can deal with them effectively.
Mariam: The good point about the book is that it not only helps you identify these Character Skins but also gives you their insight. It gives you answers to the questions, ‘Why did he do so?’ ‘What does he think about himself?’ ‘How could he...?’
You can learn the different thoughts that drive people’s actions and conversations. |
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