Characters

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Characters

So, we have a story, and this means that we almost certainly have characters!

Have an idea of what your character is like:

Have an idea of what you want your characters to be like before you start writing or introduce a new character. Is the character quiet and only speaks words of wisdom? Are they the comedy relief that some stories need? Are they always late, or are they the reliable fixers if something breaks?

Do they have a lot in common with your friend, or someone else you know? Basing your character off someone you know is fairly common and good way to help 'bring them to life'.

A character description list is an excellent thing, since small details can easily be forgotten over time. When introducing the character, sprinkle in their personality and details without an immediate information dump.

Example: On my character outline, I have all my characters' physical and personality details jotted down (and saved in an email folder). But it takes me several chapters to ease them into the storyline.

You can create a 'cast' or character list in a Wattpad chapter, although it's best to put this at the end of the book and just make a mention of it at the bottom of several chapters so people can skip there if they want. Many writers try to put them at the front of their stories, but putting a whole chapter of pictures and details has a tendency to turn readers away. They came for a story and to learn about the characters, not to memorize a character list. (But those lists can be handy if the readers like visual cues).

    

Avoid the 'all-powerful unique' character:

The 'all-powerful' character is often overdone and not entirely realistic since no one really gets their way all of the time in real life.

Example: The all-powerful white werewolf who was abused and rejected by an alpha mate. She goes away and comes back for revenge or to flaunt her new-found skills.

This plot can be found in tens of thousands of stories, so you're going to have to make it unique for me to consider glancing at it (and write a stunning summary to even convince me to go to chapter one).

Everyone has weaknesses. No one is perfect or undefeatable.

Sure, it is our character, and we want them to be the absolute best. We get emotionally attached to them, and never want them to meet a challenge they may not win - but that makes for a boring book.

Sometimes we can even turn that fault into a cornerstone in the story.

For example, in my story, The Virus Within, Trinity's notorious bad luck practically wrote that book. Sure, she was strong and fast, but there were a couple of others who were stronger or faster. Oh, and let's not forget that she was terribly light-sensitive.

She had weaknesses, including a short temper, but yet, having a less-than-perfect character made the book possible. (And let's not even get started on Nicky...)

A weakness can be uncommon (Kryptonite in Superman), or something as common an injury, personality fault, or an uncontrollable aspect like rainfall or sunlight.

Repeat after me: A character doesn't have to be all-powerful in order to come out on top in the end.

    

Make them realistic:

Make your characters realistic.

This mostly applies to what they do and how they act. I really don't have much to say here, but just keep the theory in mind.

A four-year-old is not going to change the tires on my car for me, and chances are your characters won't be perfect either.

Characters can change, but don't make the mistake of having a character flip back and forth too often. This may work in some situations, like a romance love/hate cycle. Sure, they can start out in love, have a fight and hate, then make up and love one another again, but don't do it again and again and again and again.

If your character is fairly 'ideal' (lets avoid the word perfect – it doesn't really exist in relation to humans or their created characters), then make them realistic. Sure, you can have a top high school football player who happens to be a phenomenal mechanic, who can kiss like no one else, who is loyal to his girlfriend, who is an honors student in all classes, who can cook, who is neat and tidy, who is tall, strong, and handsome. (Okay, let's be serious, where can you find someone like that? But anyways...) Either change his rather long and flattering list, or bring him down to a level that the readers can relate to him.

    

How to introduce a character

So, you have a good character. You know their personality and what they are like. How do you introduce this person to your readers?

This is where things can get interesting. Put your creative thinking hat on.

There are good ways and bad ways to introduce characters. Often, the best way is to slowly show the character to the readers without just dumping details on them. This may take a chapter or two to get all of the small details in, such as birthdays (if applicable to your story), hair color, personality, etc.

Bad example:

My name is Kailey Austin Brown, and I am 17. I have long brown hair and freckles. I wear designer clothes and the best makeup.

Good example:
"Kailey! Come on! We're going to be late – again!"

I called back, "I just need ten minutes to finish putting on my makeup!"

My long brown hair was already brushed out, but I wasn't leaving this bathroom until my makeup covered all of my freckles. My brother was used to waiting for me, I rarely left the house unless my designer clothing matched and was spotless. And don't even get me started on these freckles....

    

See? It took longer, but in the end it gave more information and didn't read like a character description. You probably enjoyed reading the second one more as well.



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