Tag: character
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How to Create a Character: A Simple Guide for Pantsers
As a pantser/discovery writer, I know what it’s like to have an idea for a story and want to jump in without doing any prep work. Filling out character questionnaires and plotting out the story has never held much interest for me in the early stages. But over the years, I’ve discovered the benefits of… Read more
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“Yes, but/No, and” – How to Craft a Thrilling Character-Driven Plot
If you’re like me, you love character-driven stories. You love watching a character pursue their goals, struggle, fail, and eventually grow because of what they’ve gone through. You want to write a story just like that, but when you sit down to write it, you find yourself wondering “How do I write a character-driven story?”… Read more
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How to Come Up with Names for Characters Without Wasting Time
All writers know that naming characters can be the cause of much pain. It can be so hard to know how to come up with names for characters. We’ve all spent hours searching through lists of baby names trying to find the perfect one. But I’ve found a better way to find memorable names for… Read more
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First Chapter Checklist: What Makes an Engaging Opening Chapter
The first chapter of your novel is perhaps the most difficult and most important chapter of the entire book. The opening chapter is the first thing readers will read, and it will determine if they decide to keep reading. No pressure, right? Luckily, there are hallmarks that most great first chapters follow. If you’re lost… Read more
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How to Turn a Passive Protagonist into an Active Protagonist
Have you ever had this thought while reading a book or watching a movie: “A lot of things are happening, but I’m just bored,” or “I’m not sure I care what happens to this character”? Me too. The culprit may not be obvious, but these thoughts can be the result of a passive protagonist. Protagonists… Read more
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How to Create Powerful Internal Conflict in Your Characters
Internal conflict is one of the most important aspects of writing a story. Without it, characters fall flat and aren’t relatable to readers. But with it, they feel authentic, like real people. However, it can be difficult to create internal conflict that resonates with readers and drives the story. So, here’s a guide for crafting… Read more
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5 Ways to Create Convincing Character Personalities
It’s tough to create character personalities that feel real—not to mention a cast of characters that feel authentic. Each character needs a personality that’s unique and different from your own. And, of course, there’s internal conflict, which deserves its own blog post (read that post here). You only have experience being you. So how do… Read more