There is so much to character it’s ridiculous!!
If you do not develop a character and have a great plot, your story will be unbelievable. This I know just from being a reader.
Now, trying to be a serious writer, I realize how much you truly have to invest in even secondary characters.
So, tomorrow I’m going to do some exercises for my characters during my 7-8 hr road trip (no, I won’t be the one driving).
I’m reading a new book by Nancy Lamb called The Art and Craft of Storytelling and she gives amazing tips so I’m going to take her advice for this part of my novel.
First part is a brainstorming list for creating characters.
For each character, these things need to be determined…
*personality
*defining traits
*origin
*home - frex city or subarbs
*shelter – what kind of house
*family constellation
*best friends
*interests
*dislikes
*favorites
*hobbies
*clothes
*names – like nickname..
*body language
Then, ask yourself lots and lots of questions about your character. frex ‘how do these traits indicate emotional conflict?’
dang…this will be an exercise..and I’m not even done listing what I have to come up with.
These questions are even more important:
*what does the main character want the most?
*what obstacles must the character overcome?
*what makes the character memorable?
*how does the hero save herself?
Good thing I have a lot of time cause I’m gonna need it! But I’m excited because I have the story pretty much done in my head, I just need to get it written down and that will be accomplished thru character’s action.. Wish me luck!
want email updates?
