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Characterization
Characters are, next to the plot, the most important part of any novel. Without characters, nothing would happen— there would be no one to move the plot forward. To keep the reader’s attention, we need to create believable characters. Characters who jump off the page and come to glorious life.
If you’re having difficulty bringing a character to life, take a look at their Goals, Motivation and Conflict (internal and external). Do you have these well-defined for your characters? Are your characters actions logical to their GMC, or at odds with their GMC? Have you studied your character’s archetype? How well do you know your character overall? The following links are terrific resources to learn more about characterization.
Don't forget to check out the Characterization Practical Application Page when you're finished here. Comments and more links welcome!
SERIES 2, TIP SHEET #1: HOW SECONDARY CHARACTERS CAN HELP TO DEVELOP MAIN CHARACTERS Copyright 2003, by Linda Hope Lee
http://www.lindahopelee.com/tip1.html
SERIES 2, TIP SHEET #2: DESCRIBING YOUR CHARACTERS
Copyright 2003, by Linda Hope Lee
http://www.lindahopelee.com/tip2.html
SERIES 2, TIP SHEET #3: CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH THOUGHTS
Copyright 2003, by Linda Hope Lee
http://www.lindahopelee.com/tip3.html
SERIES 2, TIP SHEET #4: CHARACTERIZATION THROUGH ACTION
Copyright 2003, by Linda Hope Lee
http://www.lindahopelee.com/tip4.html
The Writer’s Writing Guide: Character by Rachel Simon: http://www.rachelsimon.com/wg_character.htm
Putting Your Characters in The Driver's Seat June 2003 HODRW Meeting Recap
by Maggi Landry: http://www.hodrw.com/puttingcharactersindriversseat.htmFour Steps to Characterization: Showing Personality to the Reader by Tami Cowdenhttp://www.hodrw.com/fourstepstocharac.htm
Crafting Compelling Characters
by Christine Pacheco aka Christy Lockhart
http://www.hodrw.com/craftingcompellingcharacters.htm
Characterization Practical Application Page
Self-Editing
Self-Editing Practical Application Page
Writing Techniques
Writing Techniques Practical Application Page
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Keyword tags:
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characterization
Characters
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| Started By | Thread Subject | Replies | Last Post | ||
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| edcm1 | Characters | 0 | Oct 23 2006, 8:46 PM EDT by edcm1 | ||
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Thread started: Oct 23 2006, 8:46 PM EDT
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I'm late to the party, but I'm one who loves secondary characters and I often have to limit myself to only a few. I don't write stories with sequels in mind, so I rarely see secondary characters in that way. What I love is to have my main characters interact with lots of people as a way to show their personalities. Sometimes it works - sometimes it doesn't and I don't kid myself that I'm such a great writer that I can make it work when it's not. That's what editing is for!
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| Trac | Pet Peeves | 1 | Oct 21 2006, 9:09 PM EDT by Meg_Allison | ||
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Thread started: Oct 21 2006, 9:47 AM EDT
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My two biggest pet peeves about character:
1. When characters aren't consistent with their background info--if your character has a master's in business, she should be able to sit still at work and hold a conversation without sounding like a thirteen year old. 2. When a story has too many secondary characters. I know that your primaries have more than one or two friends, but unless you have enough plot space to develop a secondary appropropriately, leave them out entirely. |
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| JessicaRaymond | Characters | 0 | Oct 21 2006, 7:25 AM EDT by JessicaRaymond | ||
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Thread started: Oct 21 2006, 7:25 AM EDT
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I like it when I've got to know my characters so well that I see something in a shop, like a jacket or something, and know it would be something by character would wear. It's funny to feel like you know them!
Jess x |
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