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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/10339-Building-Characters.html
For Authors: September 02, 2020 Issue [#10339]




 This week: Building Characters
  Edited by: Annette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Hello Authors, I am Annette Author Icon and I will be your guest editor for this issue.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Building Characters


Building characters for your stories might be the thing that comes easiest to you when weaving a new plot. That's great. But is it really that simple?

There are different ways to have reasons or needs for characters in stories. You have to make sure you have enough of them to give the reader enough personalities to deal with. And also enough personalities to carry out the different parts of the plot.

But how to get a character started?

Long before I even knew I would ever take a liking to novel length writing, I built a character using the character building promps from Shadowrun. I had to choose the gender, the race, the archetype, give them a name, and a few traits that kind-a-sorta made them unique. The beauty of table top role playing games is that I only had to develop one character. All other characters were created by the other players using the same rubric. In order to have a well-balanced team, we couldn't all be the same race. Well, we could, but didn't want to be.

Since that first character, I had to come up with many more characters to fill my stories. In the beginning, I often used some of the Shadowrun non player characters, or those showing up in Shadowrun stories as blueprints for my characters. Over time, I evolved away from that crutch and started creating characters in my world as I needed them.

How do you build your characters?


Do you have a story and then you add characters?

Or do you have a character and then you give them a story?

How much do you wonder about representation?

Are all of your characters easily recognizable archetypes or do you prefer to create off the wall characters that the reader has to figure out for a while?

Whether you create your characters while writing as you go or with lists, some of the resources listed below should help you create solid characters that can rope a reader in to turn the page and lead them on an adventure through your imagination.






Editor's Picks

 
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STATIC
Understanding Emotions Open in new Window. (ASR)
An exercise for understanding emotions in ourselves and in the characters we create.
#2224342 by Joy Author IconMail Icon

 
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STATIC
Literary Character Archetypes Open in new Window. (E)
Here are the archetypes of the characters typically populating the plots of literature.
#2031951 by Jimmy E. Durham, RN-BC Author IconMail Icon

 
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Common Themes in Literature Open in new Window. (E)
Themes and archetypes common to literature.
#2031933 by Jimmy E. Durham, RN-BC Author IconMail Icon

 Character Building (3) Open in new Window. (E)
Need help developing characters ?. **Learn the difference between telling and showing.
#2132926 by Lilli 🧿 ☕ Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#855086 by Not Available.

Creating Detailed Characters! Open in new Window. (ASR)
Creating a detailed character? Use this handy outline!
#190572 by Tehuti, Lord Of The Eight Author IconMail Icon

 
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Fiction: Writing the Synopsis Open in new Window. (E)
A synopsis tells an editor what the book is about and if its progression is reasonable.
#1233238 by Joy Author IconMail Icon

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FORUM
October Novel Prep Challenge Open in new Window. (13+)
A month-long novel-planning challenge with prizes galore.
#1474311 by Brandiwyn🎶 Author IconMail Icon

 
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POLL
Three Billion or Less? Open in new Window. (ASR)
Concerning the worlds' population.
#974615 by Petra Pansky Author IconMail Icon

 Bug Off! Open in new Window. (18+)
Roast anyone. Be rude as you want, this forum is for having fun.
#2228048 by Matt 2021 Dean Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Reply to my last For Authors newsletter "Write For Fun" Open in new Window.

hbk16 wrote: Publishing should not prevent the author from that pleasure he used to feel when writing was just a hobby indeed.
Writing translates the sincerity and the devotion of the author and the reader should perceive this.
A writing piece should be attractive, vivid and its characters should be present.
It is a featured issue indeed.

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