Dialogue Publishing Blog 
Character Development -- posted by Susan Lutz Hamilton
Feb 16, 2006 • 2:19 pm (EST)
Character development is important in good fiction writing. There are lots of good tools to help writers flesh out characters before they begin a piece of work. If you find completing a detailed character analysis too daunting. Try these quick tips to get started.
As you work with a character develop one area at a time and more will come naturally as you write. The most important thing to get a handle on first is the character?s personality - that's the strongest aspect you want to convey to a reader. Get a handful of personality traits in mind to get started, convey those to your readers through description and dialogue. This will give your character an authentic voice. As you write about the character items like appearance, habits, family history will come into your mental view as you think about how the character will act in a situation you have created for him / her. You can always add in additional pieces about the character as you go back and revise the work. We learn most about people when we see how they interact with others so that would be where I would focus.
Here?s another idea to try. Most writers are avid readers. So pick a character out of something you have read that is memorable for you. In 60 seconds or less jot down on a sheet of paper a list of specifics that make the character you remember stand out. As you begin new work review the list for clues as to what attributes you need to flesh out in the new character to get started on your work.
Hope something here clicks for you!
Sue
|
Leave a comment!
Back to Blog
Blog Archive
Jan 11, 2006 - On the Road in 2006
Jan 9, 2006 - Special info for book clubs
Jan 9, 2006 - Olympics book coming soon
Feb 13, 2006 - Hawaii Book Tour
Feb 13, 2006 - "Paying the Price" Reviewed in Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Feb 16, 2006 - Creative Writing Workshops
Feb 16, 2006 - Character Development
Feb 24, 2006 - Resources for writers
Feb 27, 2006 - Dates changed for Session II & Session III
Feb 28, 2006 - AWA Trainings for 2006
Mar 3, 2006 - What is a writing prompt?
Mar 13, 2006 - Sue & Madge on Podcast of The Writing Show
Mar 22, 2006 - Why Consider Turning Fact into Fiction?
Mar 30, 2006 - How to turn fact into fiction
Apr 5, 2006 - New writing book to check out
May 3, 2006 - "The Man with No Skin" Named IPPY Award Semi-finalist
May 10, 2006 - The Man with No Skin Named IPPY Award Finalist
May 22, 2006 - New creative writing workshop session begins soon
Jun 14, 2006 - Paying the Price and The Man with No Skin are EVVY Finalists
Jun 18, 2006 - Two Books Win Big at EVVY's
Jun 30, 2006 - Creative Writing Workshop Alum in American Idol Contest
Jul 13, 2006 - Register now for fall creative writing workshop
Jul 31, 2006 - Perfect age to publish?
Aug 29, 2006 - Writing Opportunity
Sep 29, 2006 - Fall
Oct 13, 2006 - Vote for "Paying the Price" in Hawaii Book Awards
Oct 24, 2006 - New Writers Workshop Schedule to be posted soon
Oct 28, 2006 - Paying the Price Wins Reader's Choice Award
Nov 6, 2006 - New Writers Workshop Session Scheduled
Nov 20, 2006 - Denver Holiday Sales Outlet
Dec 4, 2006 - Sisters in Crime
Dec 14, 2006 - Workshop Participant to be Published
Jan 5, 2007 - New Year Resolutions for Writers
Jan 19, 2007 - Attend a writers conference in 2007
Jan 23, 2007 - Creative types as business people
Feb 22, 2007 - Spring writers workshop schedule
Feb 23, 2007 - Submissions solicited for next Chicken Soup book
Mar 19, 2007 - Two New Workshops
Apr 16, 2007 - Jodi Picoult
Jun 7, 2007 - New novel out soon!
Jul 25, 2007 - Fall Writers Workshop Schedule
Sep 18, 2007 - "Cleaning Closets" is here!
Nov 15, 2007 - Reader Raves for Cleaning Closets
Nov 16, 2007 - New Fiction Chapbook
Dec 8, 2007 - Workshop Writer a Contest Winner
Mar 14, 2008 - Two Great Local Events For Writers
Apr 2, 2008 - Cleaning Closets Wins Merit Award
|
