These 8 tips on using characters in your stories will help you make sure that readers are involved with your story people right from the start.
Tip 1: Make sure that the reader knows as early as possible who the viewpoint character is in any scene. Do this by tapping into thoughts or emotions that can only be known by the viewpoint character.
Tip 2: Decide on and mention names early in the story. Carefully chosen names help the reader get a rounded picture of your character. (It also helps to stimulate the writer's imagination.)
Tip 3: Give an early "thumbnail sketch" of your character. While it is boring for the reader to suffer through a lengthy description of any character, don't make the mistake of being too sparing with your description. Give the reader enough to form a picture of your character - 'first impression' in looks and personality.
Tip 4: Ask: "Whose story is it?" If one of your secondary characters appeals to you more, and is 'taking over the story', you might have chosen the wrong protagonist. Whose story do you most want to tell? Whose story is likely to engage the reader more?
Tip 5: Use character tags (hair colour or style, annoying habits, distinctive voice etc) to help readers keep characters straight - especially if you have a lot of characters in your novel.
Tip 6: Don't reveal everything about your character in the beginning. Leave room for the character to grow; for the reader to become curious, and for you to get to know him/her.
Tip 7: Know each character's motivation for action. If the reasons for your character's actions and thoughts are not clear to you, the writer, then you will probably find your character doing or saying things that are unbelievable. Motivation is all important! Character motivation comes from two sources: from the inner nature of the person, and from external events that move that person towards making certain decisions. The character's actions will be a result of both internal and external motivation. Make sure you give yourself time to really understand your character.
Tip 8: Characters who have inner conflict are more interesting than more static characters. This does not mean you can have them act out of character "because they're conflicted". Their inner conflict IS part of their character. They can be pulled two ways? but the reader should be able to understand the reasons for both impulses.
(c) Copyright Marg McAlister
Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers' tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/
personalized cleaning services Des Plaines ..I went to school to be a teacher. In fact,... Read More
In my ten years as an advertiser, I've encountered plenty... Read More
Although he has his own website, John Grisham probably does... Read More
If you become a writer for any publication, private business,... Read More
As in all endeavors, toil is necessary to succeed and... Read More
To help build your profile and reputation within a large... Read More
Suspense novels are probably the easiest novels to write. Suspense... Read More
Self-examination is brutally honest. Self-indulgence is brutally maudlin.Writing requires the... Read More
A good white paper is a paper that makes you... Read More
Sit back, and imagine what it feels like to be... Read More
Pictures they say are worth a thousand words, but many... Read More
IntroductionSometimes it may be beyond a companies or individuals budget... Read More
If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More
Rejection. This scary word plagues virtually every writer this side... Read More
Recently, I was hunting for a book that would simply... Read More
No one is born a novel writer. But do you... Read More
Want to write an article or book, but are stuck... Read More
The hardest part of nonfiction writing is finding a subject... Read More
1. Become an EavesdropperListen carefully to the way people REALLY... Read More
Originality emerges from structure. Once you have a story idea,... Read More
All the famous writers I heard of could paper the... Read More
How many times have you checked out a job board... Read More
As a professional copywriter, not only do I do a... Read More
Balance your life ... Read More
Ah, the age-old writer's debate--to outline or not to outline?Outlines... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Arlington Heights ..Remember back in the dark days of your school years... Read More
When you get stuck for ideas, and the words won't... Read More
In a crowded market, clients will be seeking personality as... Read More
"Do I send samples, a media kit, or just the... Read More
In the 7th grade I wanted to be an architect... Read More
A writer writes. Bet you've heard that one... Read More
What does one do as a writer who loves writing... Read More
Lately I've been noticing an odd trend amongst the freelance... Read More
[When I was a nineteen-year-old high school student and budding... Read More
Beginning writers often tend to think of a book as... Read More
In the business of freelance writing, it's not enough to... Read More
Here are 3 journaling or diary ideas that can contribute... Read More
The journey to having my first novel for children published... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips:Your title is your selling tool. It's... Read More
Why is it that so many people don't take writing-as-a-job... Read More
Mix a martini, don't forget the olives, or pour yourself... Read More
To capitalize on ways to make extra income you can... Read More
When a writer is working on their next literary masterpiece... Read More
"If you're like me, than I'm sure you're pretty familiar... Read More
Freelance editing opportunities are out there, you just need to... Read More
Technology vendors often contribute bylined articles to trade journals. The... Read More
Human beings seem to be born with a gene for... Read More
When the writing bug hits you, get out your pencil,... Read More
For several years before I left teaching to write full... Read More
Bookcoaching clients come to me at different stages of writing... Read More
Writing |