In our last post, we introduced a character named Mary Sue. A Mary Sue character is a character, usually female but not always (you can have a Gary Stu or […]
Characters
Anything having to do with the creation of characters.
Who is Mary Sue and Way Does (Almost) Everyone Hate Her?
If you’re a reader, you’ve probably encountered a Mary Sue (or her male equivalent Gary or Marty Stu). If you’re a writer, the term strikes fear into your heart if […]
Terms All Readers Should Know
In order to read critically, you should know the correct terminology of a work of literature–a novel, memoir, autobiography, history, etc. Here are 9 terms every reader should know before […]
The Perfect Character Name
Let’s revisit a post from several years ago! Once you’ve created your perfect character, you have a new problem on your hands: how to name him or her. This can […]
Writing the Unreliable Narrator
I got this idea from reading the latest issue of Writer’s Digest, so fair warning! Jane K. Cleland says unreliable narrators have been around since before Arabian Nights was written. […]
Writing Secondary Characters
Elizabeth Boyle’s webinar on Secondary Characters was quite informative. Here are some of her points. First, what do you need secondary characters for? Lesson or Role? Your secondary character will […]
Round Up: Characters 101
Here are the links to my posts about characters and character-creation: Where Do They Come From? Creating Characters Characters: Public vs. Private What’s in a Name? What’s Your Sign? 5 […]
Where Do They Come From?
People ask me where I get my characters. I think they’re either worried that they’ll show up in a book – or maybe hoping for that to occur. The truth […]
Creating Characters
I’ve been invited to create a new character for the Western Fictioneers – something for the shared world of Wolf Creek. This is an 1872 town on the Kansas prairie, […]
Characters: Public vs. Private
Everyone has a public side that they show to everyone, and a private side that is only shown to their most intimate friends (and sometimes, not even to them!). So […]