 |
| Secret in the Mist, the second book in the Abi Wunder Mystery trilogy, is now available on Amazon. You can find it by clicking on the link below. |
By Linda Wilson amzn.to/3Pj6Puu
To create realistic and engaging characters, you need to know who your characters are. The best way to do this is by creating Character Bios and Character Arcs.
Tip #1: Create a Character Bio
Create a character profile by including the following information:
- The Basics: Name, nickname, age, maturity level, appearance
- Personality & Quirks: Introvert or extrovert; how do they think, feel, and react; add complexity by giving your character(s) a few contradictions
- Backstory: Past key events relative to your story
- Goals, Fears & Flaws: What does your character want more than anything, and what’s standing in the way? What does your character need? What are strengths and weaknesses?
- Relationships & Role in the Plot: How does your character connect with the other characters; which characters do they love, hate, envy, or secretly admire?
- A Word about Story Threads: For any recurring factors integral to the story, such as the use of flashlights, the appearance of pets, a meaningful note, as an example, you need to be consistent and not have anything mentioned forgotten partway. These threads can be followed throughout your story with the “Find” function in Word. Of with the use of different color highlights.
Sources:
Excerpts from the article, “The Anatomy of a Great Character Bio: What to Include (and What to Skip Unless You’re Tolkien” include a helpful template to make your character(s) complete, from https://spines.com/character-bio-template/
For more information on creating character bios:
Character Development in Fiction: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Character Development: 12 Steps to Write Great Characters
https://jerryjenkins.com/character-development/
Tip #2: Create a Character Arc
To create realistic and engaging characters, your main character needs to have a character arc. Your character embarks on a journey, which begins with who they are and ends with who they have become. This transformation is accomplished by showing your character’s actions, what they say in dialogue with other characters, and what their inner thoughts are. In my novels, I create an arc for each character so that they, too, can grow.
- Internal changes: Focus on changes to your character’s beliefs, personality, and/or worldview.
- Draw these changes out with conflict: The plot, stakes, and obstacles force the character to change to overcome them.
- Character arcs: For children’s stories, a positive character arc works by creating a character who overcomes flaws, grows, and becomes a better person.
For more information on character arcs:
Beginner's Guide to Character Arc Development: Learn the Essentials
How to Write a Character Arc — Mastering the Four Types
What is a Character Arc? 3 Common Types and Examples from Fiction, on Reedsyblog
For my current work in progress, the working title, The Worst/Best Forever Friend, a chapter book, I thought I had created an adequate Character Bio and Arc for my main character, Bo. However, at a recent critique meeting, from what the critiquers said, I hadn't shown who Bo is enough in the first two chapters, and I needed to consolidate so that the chapters would be more active. This book is my third novel. It just goes to show that there is always more to learn and more to pay attention to. I highly recommend sharing your work with a critique group or beta readers to make sure you're going in the right direction early on.
.jpg) |
| My two writing partners and me, Alamo Canyon, Alamogordo, NM. |
