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Category: Characters

Character Writing Exercises

Posted on June 27, 2018May 18, 2020 by steve

It seems the number one way you learn more about your characters is simply by writing about them. Unfortunately, when this process occurs while you’re writing your story, it can show. Awkward, uneven character development in your completed piece can be the result. One way to get around this is to write scenes with your…

New Book: Writing Young Adult Fiction

Posted on February 22, 2018February 22, 2018 by steve

After two years of editing(!) Dani’s and my new book, Writing Young Adult Fiction, is about to be published. As one of our fans, I’d like to extend this special pre-publication offer to you: get the Kindle book for just $2.99, or get it for free when you purchase the paperback. My favorite part of the book…

Learning More About Your Character

Posted on June 1, 2016 by steve

One of the best ways to create believable fiction is to structure it around believable characters. But how do you get to know your characters well, and give them the depth of real people? One excellent way is to create a list of everything you know about each major character. I’ve created a form you…

Character Names

Posted on April 23, 2016March 6, 2018 by steve

Many literary and movie characters have become cultural icons—Atticus Finch, ‘Ratso’ Rizzo, Holden Caulfield and Scarlett O’Hara, for example. A great character name will help make your story clearer and more memorable. The name should also reveal something about your character: who they are, where they come from or where they are going. Here are several tips…

Comprehensive Character Attribute Form

Posted on November 3, 2015 by steve

Click here to download a printable pdf: Character Attribute Form

Developing Memorable Characters

Posted on November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 by steve

45 Questions to Create Backstories How much about your characters do you really know? Small details might seem superfluous even irrelevant to the story you intend to write, but the smallest detail informs the bigger picture. The more you know about your characters, the better you’ll create believable characters who live and breathe on the…

Character Map

Posted on November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 by steve

by Melanie This map is kind of the way I see all stories. At the bottom, you can identify characteristics, like the seven deadly sins, and a comparison to the seven heavenly virtues, or Gandhi’s list of sins, or whatever, so you are ready to compare and contrast. The mini circles on the edges can…

How Well Do You Know Your Character?

Posted on November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 by steve

Fiction writers generally come in two kinds: those who are strong on plot, and those who are strong on characterization. Rarely is a writer brilliant at both. Thus, even if you excel at great story premises, foreshadowing, plot twists, and careful pacing, you may still receive rejections with critiques pointing to ‘two dimensional’ or stereotyped…

Advice on Novel Writing

Posted on November 3, 2015November 3, 2015 by steve

by Crawford Kilian Contents Foreword Developing Efficient Work Habits Elements Of A Successful Story In the opening… In the body of the story… In the conclusion… Throughout the story… Style: Checklist For Fiction Writers Manuscript Format Storyboarding Ten Points on Plotting The Story Synopsis Understanding Genre: Notes on the Thriller Symbolism and all that The…

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