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SocialLesson #3: Characters and Character Development. (Part 1)
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Un-SaveWelcome back. Have you been enjoying your stay here at the café?
Good, because I'm back with another lesson for you.
Characters and Character Development.
I know, it's a long title.
So, a character is anyone who is in your story.
There is primary characters, secondary characters, flat charatcers, dynamic characters, etc.
I will be going over as many of them as possible, and then I will get into how to develop a good, dynamic character, okay?
So creating good characters is probably another one of the hardest parts of writing. You want to create a good, dynamic, relatable character, don't you? Because if you have a crappy character that people hate to read about, they won't enjoy reading your story, now will they?
No
Of course they won't
-for example, I recently bought a book that I thought was going to be good, but I can't stand reading it because I want to punch the main character in the face-
So yes, let's get started.
Now, earlier in the school year, my English teacher gave us this little booklet for character creation. Now because I'm totally awesome, I typed out the entire thing for myself and you guys to use.
Character Name:
Main [ ] Minor [ ]
Role:
Age: Gender: Race/Nationality: Eye Colour:
Complexion: Height/Weight:
Style Of Dress: Hair Colour/Style:
Most Striking Physical Feature:
Characteristics/Mannerisms:
Describe his/hers speaking voice, and likely vocabulary:
Personality
Strengths (At Least 3):
Weaknesses (At Least 3):
Critical Flaw and How It Influences the Story:
Back Story:
Inner Journey
What does the character really want?
What is the character most afraid of?
What is the character’s mask that lets him hide from the world?
What would the character want to be remembered for?
What does the character learn throughout the story?
Identification Factors
Have you set up the story to help your audience relate to the character in the first 30 pages of your novel?
Character flaws and how they are introduced:
Internal conflicts:
External conflicts:
I'll use my main character from my story Twisted Secrets
Character Name: Elizabeth Rodgers (Liz)
Main [x ] Minor [ ]
Role: Protagonist
Age: 15 Gender: Female Race/Nationality: British Eye Colour: Green
Complexion: Pale skinned, few blemishes Height/Weight: 5'4, 131 lbs
Style Of Dress: Slightly girly with a hint of casual Hair Colour/Style: Light brown, normally straightened
Most Striking Physical Feature: Has a birth mark on her neck
Characteristics/Mannerisms: Hears voices on a daily basis, hates the dark
Describe his/hers speaking voice, and likely vocabulary: Quite articulate, however she used more slang when she was with her friends
Personality
Strengths (At Least 3): Good at English (reading and writing), has a great sense of style, can dance
Weaknesses (At Least 3): Hates the dark, very shy and self concious, terrified of people finding out about her writing
Critical Flaw and How It Influences the Story: Has dreams about her sister's death
Back Story: Elizabeth's sister Sophia was murdered, and that's what she's known as; The girl who's sister was killed. Ever since the murder, Elizabeth has been having dreams, or nightmares more specifically. She dreams about her sister's death, but instead of Sophia getting killed, Elizabeth herself is one dying.
Inner Journey
What does the character really want? To have closure about her sister's death.
What is the character most afraid of? Actually finding out the truth
What is the character’s mask that lets him hide from the world? Her writing
What would the character want to be remembered for? Solving the mystery
What does the character learn throughout the story? Sometimes the truth hurts, and kills.
Identification Factors
Have you set up the story to help your audience relate to the character in the first 30 pages/words of your novel/story? Hopefully
Character flaws and how they are introduced: Describe one of Elizabeth's dreams and one of the stories she writes about Sophia's death
Internal conflicts: Does she really want to know what happened, or should she leave it alone.
External conflicts: Moving to a new school and dealing with all the talk about her and her sister.
Yeah, that is my character.
Because this chapter seems long enough as it is, I will post part 2 hopefully later tonight or tomorrow.
Thank you!
-inspiration
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Comments
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Pastelsky on says about chapter 5:
This booklet, oh my goodness.
Your teacher is wonderful.
You are wonderful.
This cafe is wonderful.
'nuff said.
dubunim on says:
Congrats on the feature!! 8DDDD
meticulous on says about chapter 1:
I really like your way of executing your lessons! I also have a really amazing English teacher that gave me the knowledge to write my own fanfiction, poetry, and essays. I found this helpful as well! By the way, congratulations on your feature!
WinnieStar on says about chapter 6:
okay, this helps but one thing that also make a good story is to make sure it makes sense, not the plot line and stuff but the sentences and grammar. you should post something about it because some forget to edit their chapter or something. :) sorry if this sounds forcing you to write something about this.....
WinnieStar on says about chapter 5:
okay, you must have a really cool, can-teach-english; english teacher
my english teacher sucks, i don't learn anything but do some not-so-helpful sheets of paper. -__- one reason why i suck at english and stuff
misslavender01 on says:
and i forgot to ask.can you teach us about how to find a catchy title? it seems like almost everyone had some problems with the lesson. ^^
misslavender01 on says about chapter 5:
waaah your writing tips helped me.alot.but sometimes if i wanna search for some ideas or inspirations..i'll go to the random picture generator.hehe.it's weird but soemtimes it helps me.i'll probably going to your cafe again so update soon. :)
nutteu on says:
Wow, this is very helpful ^^
You explai -wrote- them in a way I can easily understand. Oh, and the latest chapter is a BIG help too. Thankyou so much for sharing~
Definitely gonna wait for the next update~
coffeeplease on says:
update more!:)
dubunim on says about chapter 5:
Ugh. Character Development. I seem to lack in this region the most! ;A; But, omg! This chart will help so much!!!
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