I’ve been told you must know your characters. Your main characters desires should be known. If you want your character to gather the sympathy from your readers then give the character a strong desire. What is being strived for, a new job, romance, riches, knowledge. If your character doesn’t have a need, do you think your readers will find excitement in your book. How do you say “boring?”
You have to make your character multidimensional, and not leave him flat. What creates the most vivid picture, 3D or regular television? It is a matter of contrast in your characters. As humans we are very complicated and you have to show that complication in your characters also. That way your reader can really get interested in your character.
You may also be tempted to make your character all good or all bad. Both sides should be shown in your character. “Dan thought his head would blow off he’s neck at any time. His night out at the bar has messed him up one more time. He has to get up, and get to the church, because he is teaching Sunday School today.” This sentence showed a man who appears to have a problem with alcohol (bad side), and he teaches Sunday School (good side.) It shows at least two side of Dan.
Your contrasts should be worked into your story, so they do not become road blocks for the reader. You want your story to keep moving forward. You can have your character step out from the usual character portrayed as long as the tendency has been shown before. That way it is not a stopping point.
Gotham’s “Writing Fiction” states,” your characters should have the ability to change and the reader should know it. Change is particularly important for a story’s main character. Just as the desire of a main character drives the story, the character’s change is often the story’s culmination.”
This doesn’t mean your main character has to change but the reader should always know change is possible. Predictability is created if you do not give the character the potential to change.
I have covered a few ways to help you create a character that your reader can get to know. The video today is on creating characters. That is my two-cents for today.
http://youtu.be/8VoZNlvSpdE PS this video gives lots of good information, but there is cafe noise in the background.
You have to make your character multidimensional, and not leave him flat. What creates the most vivid picture, 3D or regular television? It is a matter of contrast in your characters. As humans we are very complicated and you have to show that complication in your characters also. That way your reader can really get interested in your character.
You may also be tempted to make your character all good or all bad. Both sides should be shown in your character. “Dan thought his head would blow off he’s neck at any time. His night out at the bar has messed him up one more time. He has to get up, and get to the church, because he is teaching Sunday School today.” This sentence showed a man who appears to have a problem with alcohol (bad side), and he teaches Sunday School (good side.) It shows at least two side of Dan.
Your contrasts should be worked into your story, so they do not become road blocks for the reader. You want your story to keep moving forward. You can have your character step out from the usual character portrayed as long as the tendency has been shown before. That way it is not a stopping point.
Gotham’s “Writing Fiction” states,” your characters should have the ability to change and the reader should know it. Change is particularly important for a story’s main character. Just as the desire of a main character drives the story, the character’s change is often the story’s culmination.”
This doesn’t mean your main character has to change but the reader should always know change is possible. Predictability is created if you do not give the character the potential to change.
I have covered a few ways to help you create a character that your reader can get to know. The video today is on creating characters. That is my two-cents for today.
http://youtu.be/8VoZNlvSpdE PS this video gives lots of good information, but there is cafe noise in the background.
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