What is a character? A person, or rather something that’s made up of words and scenes. But why do we care about these imaginary people in the first place?! It can be difficult to put into words yourself but luckily I’m here with 5 tips on how your Fictional Character could become more immersive for you!
Think about giving your main characters flaws. Your characters may be the heroes of their story, but nobody is truly perfect. Adding a flaw or two will make them more believable and sympathetic – just like you want your readers to feel when they’re reading about what happens next (and probably why this happened).
Backstory
When you create a character, it’s important that their past lives up to what they do in the present. Think about how every story has an origin and can be written as such–a beginning middle end with motivations behind each decision made along the way so we know why our main characters act like themselves now.
What’s the Motivation?
The best action is character-driven. You should try to base the plot of your story around the motivations and actions of characters, asking yourself “What is it that they trying to accomplish?” What do these people stand to lose or gain from this action/event? How might their goals change over time as well–throughout representing different challenges that arise along with new opportunities for growth along those paths.
Withhold information from your readers. When writing fiction, only give them what they need to know at the moment and anything else can wait until later on in a much more engaging way than just telling it all upfront! The supporting details—like backstory–should remain unseen; just like how most people don’t actually see an iceberg’s mass underwater because of its size.
Mannerisms
The perfect character is one that you can’t help but love. To make your characters stand out from the crowd, try mixing in a few small details to give them an endearing quality or add some charm – this will create more memorable people! But don’t overdo it though; otherwise, they might come off as too unstable and unpredictable which would take away everything that makes them great characters for novels
Jumping the Shark! What does it mean? What are some series that have done and others that could have but didn’t? Listen to the discussion and then leave a comment of a series you think “jumped the shark.” Then hear author MB Mooney share a flash fiction from Dr. Deb Wincek’s point of view, titled, Primed for Duty. Vote on the next title in the comments!
Listen here:
In this episode:
What is Jumping the Shark? What does it mean? Where did it come from?
What are some examples of shows or series that “jumped the shark”?
What are some examples of shows that could have but didn’t?
Author MB Mooney reads the flash fiction Primed for Duty from Dr. Deb Wincek’s POV.
Controversy ahead! What are some of the popular movies or books that you don’t like? The Brew & Ink crew discuss some wildly popular stories and franchises that we think are bad. Then Sarah Akines and Katie Nunchucks read their version of The Ventriloquist’s Daughter, Sarah a myth and Katie humor. Listen and Vote in the link in the comments below! The winner goes to the finals!
Listen here:
In this episode:
Who won the last round of the competition?
What are some of the plans for the upcoming episodes and the Holidays?
What are some of the popular books, movies, or franchises that we hate? And why?
Sarah reads her myth version of The Ventriloquist’s Daughter.
To get anywhere in writing, or life, we must deal with rejection and failure. The Brew & Ink crew discuss how we deal with and look at rejection with something so personal as our own story … and how it can be a good thing.
What makes a great minor character in a story? The Brew & Ink crew discuss the different types of minor characters, the importance of them, and their favorite.
Then Sarah Akines and Steven Faletti face off in the next round of Flash Fiction, using the title I Never Slip on Banana Peels. Sarah wrote realistic fiction and Steven wrote a caper.
In this episode:
What is a minor character?
What are the different types of minor characters? How are they different from “major” characters?
How do you make a strong minor character?
In a longer series, what are some examples of minor characters that became major characters?
How can a minor character overshadow or even ruin the story?
Sarah Akines reads her realistic fiction version of I Never Slip on Banana Peels.
Steven Faletti reads his caper version of the same title.
