Monday, March 12, 2018

Bring your characters to life

Are you worried you can't really see your characters? Worried they seem a bit like card board cut outs?

Some tips to add depth. 

1.) Create a bio on each character who appears in more than twenty five percent of your story. 

2.) Answer 20 questions on each character. Small things like favorite color, favorite flower, to bigger things like favorite memory, favorite food, do they have a favorite sports team?

3.) Write a short story on an event/something that happened in your character's past. At least 500 words no longer than 3,000

4.) Write a in one day of the character before the story starts, have them move around do grocery shopping, walk their dog, feed their cat, interact with their BFF, their mother, etc. Again, at least 500 words no more than 3,000

5.) Have another character in the story describe them, from that character's point of view. 

6.) Three flaws and three awesome characteristics, cusses too much, quick to anger, snaps their gum when they chew, is very unorganized, is a neat freak, is a gossip. Do they see their flaws? Do they want to change their flaws? Is super smart but not an asshole about it, has a way with animals, has a way with kids, is an idiot whisperer, always cheerful but not in a pollyanna way, can function without coffee, great cook. Do they see how awesome they are or are they humble like that? 

7.)  Give them a playlist, songs they would listen to while they work, workout, read, plays in the background of their life. 







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