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/
eco-friendly cleaning service Buffalo Grove ..So you want to be a writer, except you don't... Read More
Sailors had it for years. Great explorers had it as... Read More
Writing is a muscle that needs exercise to stay in... Read More
Rudolph Flesch, a pioneering advocate of readability, put great stock... Read More
Sometimes a freelance writing career can feel very much like... Read More
LATER, LATTERLater means afterwards; latter is the second of two... Read More
If you are an aspiring writer, or you simply want... Read More
Suspense novels, unlike any other genre, need fast starts. Fans... Read More
1. Make your goals achievable.By achievable, we mean realistic and... Read More
You wrote a tips booklet. Maybe more than one. Oh... Read More
Sit back, and imagine what it feels like to be... Read More
There are a lot of tapes and books and CD... Read More
Hundreds of writing contests tempt screenwriters with the lure of... Read More
At first, I noticed that I could have written many... Read More
Ever wondered how the most successful children's book writers get... Read More
There is no doubt that a staff writer enjoys advantages... Read More
Did you know that your back cover information is, after... Read More
The works you've written are numerous, ranging from short stories... Read More
The Scanning ReaderWriting for the Web is different than writing... Read More
When most people consider writing a book, they don't think... Read More
Kallu was a tenant of Santosh Kumar Nayak. Santosh Kumar... Read More
Remember the days when we wrote with pen and paper?... Read More
Our Image-Driven SocietyWe live in a new image-driven society. It... Read More
As many authors are fond of stating, "Ideas are all... Read More
This article contains a short guide on how to edit... Read More
express cleaning service Arlington Heights ..Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
Last week I was having a quick browse on eBay... Read More
How to avoid mistakes that undermine your credibilityYou're probably already... Read More
What to do when you get rejected.You've just finished your... Read More
Have you ever read someone else's writing and thought one... Read More
Not all writers write good grammar. That's a fact. It's... Read More
By far, I have found that the lack of discipline... Read More
You can make a lot of money by writing and... Read More
Is your book nearly finished, finished, published, or even in... Read More
Want to write a how-to article but can't come up... Read More
As in all endeavors, toil is necessary to succeed and... Read More
Traditionally, business writing uses the "one thing after another" format,... Read More
When you read a letter from someone, we are immediately... Read More
10 - You will always have a job. As long... Read More
Someone once commented that there were no new ideas to... Read More
Balance your life ... Read More
Part 1 of this article discussed the experience you need... Read More
How to Start Your Story with a BangThe purpose of... Read More
You sink back into your favourite chair with a new... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?We all tackle plotting differently. How you... Read More
Sometimes a freelance writing career can feel very much like... Read More
Technology vendors often contribute bylined articles to trade journals. The... Read More
Are you ready to abandon your short stories? Before you... Read More
Writing a sales letter doesn't have to be that difficult... Read More
Be careful when you write.Words you use, sentences you phrase... Read More
Writing |