You may have heard the saying, “Story IS character, character IS story.” Inventing a great character is key to writing a great story. And vice versa. But how do you invent a character that can carry a story?
Writing Tip for Today: Another writing slogan says, “A good novel is interesting people in trouble.” All you have to do is invent an interesting person–simple, right? Depends on the definition of interesting. Make a list of strengths your character possesses. Make that person honest, forgiving, generous, vulnerable in some way (you don’t want a perfect hero), hard-working but with a sense of humor. Or your character could possess a combination of wisdom, loyalty, courage, humility, self-discipline or compassion. Whatever characteristics you give this person, remember that readers love a story with characters who are ordinary people who do extraordinary things.
Tomorrow: High Stakes Spell Trouble.