Okay y'all....
I need some input.
I'm working on a fantasy novel that will be about 100k when finished. How many POV characters do you think is too many?
I've read several books lately that have had so many pov characters it got confusing to keep up with them. But on the other hand, I've read some lately with multiple POV characters that are excellent.
So, what do y'all think? Three, four or more?
Showing posts with label Characters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Characters. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
More on Characters
**Flu update**
Much better today. No temp and am feeling almost normal. Can think again too. Thanks for your concerns.
Now to characters...
Three questions readers are going to ask about your story:
1. So what? (Why should I read this?)
2. Oh yeah? (I don't believe anyone would do that, or that was to convenient.)
3. Huh? (What the bleep is happening? Who's saying/doing that?)
All of these can cause the reader to choose another book. And we don't want that to happen.
Characters in scenes:
1. Who must be there?
2. Who might be there?
3. Who has been there?
Types of characters:
1. Major - these are the characters you want the reader to connect with The ones who's activities and desires/motives drive the story. The hero, heroine, antagonist, protagonist.
2. Minor - these are secondary characters. Friends of the major characters or possibly co-workers. They are part of the story but the story doesn't focus on them.
3. Walk-ons - these are your spear-carriers. Store clerks, the waitress and so on. They are in the background. Many times they don't even have a name.
Here's a couple questions to think about.
What's your character's motivation?
What is his or here goal and what will they do to reach it?
What will they not do, what are their limits?
The more you know about your characters, the better you can write them. The better you can show them to the reader and that means the better the reader will connect with them.
Oh...I've got to pull up some files from my old puter but I'll try to get that info out tomorrow...this weekend for sure.
And, on more personal note...the fall issue of Mysterical-e has a short story of mine in it called Up In Smoke. This was my first try at first person POV and written about a year ago. If you need a break, click on over and check it out.
Much better today. No temp and am feeling almost normal. Can think again too. Thanks for your concerns.
Now to characters...
Three questions readers are going to ask about your story:
1. So what? (Why should I read this?)
2. Oh yeah? (I don't believe anyone would do that, or that was to convenient.)
3. Huh? (What the bleep is happening? Who's saying/doing that?)
All of these can cause the reader to choose another book. And we don't want that to happen.
Characters in scenes:
1. Who must be there?
2. Who might be there?
3. Who has been there?
Types of characters:
1. Major - these are the characters you want the reader to connect with The ones who's activities and desires/motives drive the story. The hero, heroine, antagonist, protagonist.
2. Minor - these are secondary characters. Friends of the major characters or possibly co-workers. They are part of the story but the story doesn't focus on them.
3. Walk-ons - these are your spear-carriers. Store clerks, the waitress and so on. They are in the background. Many times they don't even have a name.
Here's a couple questions to think about.
What's your character's motivation?
What is his or here goal and what will they do to reach it?
What will they not do, what are their limits?
The more you know about your characters, the better you can write them. The better you can show them to the reader and that means the better the reader will connect with them.
Oh...I've got to pull up some files from my old puter but I'll try to get that info out tomorrow...this weekend for sure.
And, on more personal note...the fall issue of Mysterical-e has a short story of mine in it called Up In Smoke. This was my first try at first person POV and written about a year ago. If you need a break, click on over and check it out.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Why Your Story Stinks
Taken from "5 Reasons Your Story Stinks" so click on over and read the whole article.
If you consider these now, it may save you time later.
Clammy Characters
There’s something fishy about your story. The characters… well, they don’t seem to think, behave or talk like real human beings.
Stop and take a close look at the stars of your story:
Are they well developed?
Do they have believable motivations?
Do your characters speak using credible dialogue?
Are there so many characters your reader can’t distinguish between them?
Will people easily identify with them and their problems?
It’s irrelevant how gripping your plot is, if the characters who carry that plot aren’t real enough to speak to the reader.
Remember if you want the character worksheets or interview questions, email me and I'll get them out to you in a day or two.
If you consider these now, it may save you time later.
Clammy Characters
There’s something fishy about your story. The characters… well, they don’t seem to think, behave or talk like real human beings.
Stop and take a close look at the stars of your story:
Are they well developed?
Do they have believable motivations?
Do your characters speak using credible dialogue?
Are there so many characters your reader can’t distinguish between them?
Will people easily identify with them and their problems?
It’s irrelevant how gripping your plot is, if the characters who carry that plot aren’t real enough to speak to the reader.
Remember if you want the character worksheets or interview questions, email me and I'll get them out to you in a day or two.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Characters - take 2
I'm sure y'all have figured out by now that I LOVE StoryFix. There is so much great info there it's easy to spend hours without realizing it.
Here's a great series on characters from StoryFix. (I haven't read it all yet but plan to this weekend.)
When planning your characters, think about what your character wants more than anything. Think about what he/she needs that they may not realize they need. Consider their strengths and weaknesses.
Also, think about some of the things in their past that have shaped them into the characters they are now.
I've got a huge list of interview questions for characters and if anyone would like to have it, email me and I'll be happy to send it to you. I've several character worksheets too. My email addy is jeanlauzier at gmail.com. Be sure to change the at for an @ :-) Be sure to put something in the subject line so I won't think you are promoting cheap meds, performance enhancing drugs or letting me know I won a lottery I never entered.
Also...the NaNo website is up and running. It's a bit slow but that's normal this time of the month. Stop by when you get the chance, sign up if you haven't and look around.
Next week...we talk conflict.:-)
Here's a great series on characters from StoryFix. (I haven't read it all yet but plan to this weekend.)
When planning your characters, think about what your character wants more than anything. Think about what he/she needs that they may not realize they need. Consider their strengths and weaknesses.
Also, think about some of the things in their past that have shaped them into the characters they are now.
I've got a huge list of interview questions for characters and if anyone would like to have it, email me and I'll be happy to send it to you. I've several character worksheets too. My email addy is jeanlauzier at gmail.com. Be sure to change the at for an @ :-) Be sure to put something in the subject line so I won't think you are promoting cheap meds, performance enhancing drugs or letting me know I won a lottery I never entered.
Also...the NaNo website is up and running. It's a bit slow but that's normal this time of the month. Stop by when you get the chance, sign up if you haven't and look around.
Next week...we talk conflict.:-)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thinking about Characters...
One of the most important aspects of any novel is the main character. And this is true for both the reader and the writer.
As a reader, if we don't connect with that character in some way, many times we won't continue reading. And as a writer, if we don't like the character, we won't continue writing him or her.
There have been numerous books written on how to create the perfect character and each writer has their favorite way to bring those characters to life. Many writers fill out in-depth character sheets and profiles, conduct interviews with their characters or even write the whole back story for that person.
Others, get to know their characters as they write the story. They choose to be surprised as their character
And, honestly…there's not wrong or way to create characters. It's whatever works best for you and your writing style. I've got some character profile sheets along with interview questions I'll share later on.
But for now, I want to focus on what makes a great character. What it is that draws us to that character.
Instead of pulling characters from books, I'm going with a couple from television since our reading tastes probably vary widely. Two of my favorite characters right now are Temperance Brennan from Bones and Brenda Lee Johnson from The Closer. I love these two ladies and while they are both very different people on the outside, on the inside they have some very similar qualities.
For example, both are very strong women in male dominated careers. They are both determined, almost to the point of being stubborn but they are both honorable and have a strong sense of duty.
Both women also have a complex back story and as the series progresses, we get to see glimpses that history along with how it shaped their personalities.
So…for the next couple days, think about your favorite characters and some of the things you like about them. Maybe make a list of character traits you'd like to incorporate into your characters.
If you enjoy writing books, here's a couple I have on characters. Well, more than a couple but I have this fetish for writing books.:-)
Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by Nancy Kress
Dynamic Characters also by Nancy Kress
Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
Breathing Life Into Your Characters by Rachel Ballon
Bullies, Bastards & Bitches by Jessica Page Morrell
The Writer's Guide to Character Traits by Linda Edelstein
Careers for Your Characters by Raymond Obstfeld & Franz Neumann
What Would Your Character Do? by Eric & Ann Maisel
Got any you'd like to share?
As a reader, if we don't connect with that character in some way, many times we won't continue reading. And as a writer, if we don't like the character, we won't continue writing him or her.
There have been numerous books written on how to create the perfect character and each writer has their favorite way to bring those characters to life. Many writers fill out in-depth character sheets and profiles, conduct interviews with their characters or even write the whole back story for that person.
Others, get to know their characters as they write the story. They choose to be surprised as their character
And, honestly…there's not wrong or way to create characters. It's whatever works best for you and your writing style. I've got some character profile sheets along with interview questions I'll share later on.
But for now, I want to focus on what makes a great character. What it is that draws us to that character.
Instead of pulling characters from books, I'm going with a couple from television since our reading tastes probably vary widely. Two of my favorite characters right now are Temperance Brennan from Bones and Brenda Lee Johnson from The Closer. I love these two ladies and while they are both very different people on the outside, on the inside they have some very similar qualities.
For example, both are very strong women in male dominated careers. They are both determined, almost to the point of being stubborn but they are both honorable and have a strong sense of duty.
Both women also have a complex back story and as the series progresses, we get to see glimpses that history along with how it shaped their personalities.
So…for the next couple days, think about your favorite characters and some of the things you like about them. Maybe make a list of character traits you'd like to incorporate into your characters.
If you enjoy writing books, here's a couple I have on characters. Well, more than a couple but I have this fetish for writing books.:-)
Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by Nancy Kress
Dynamic Characters also by Nancy Kress
Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
Breathing Life Into Your Characters by Rachel Ballon
Bullies, Bastards & Bitches by Jessica Page Morrell
The Writer's Guide to Character Traits by Linda Edelstein
Careers for Your Characters by Raymond Obstfeld & Franz Neumann
What Would Your Character Do? by Eric & Ann Maisel
Got any you'd like to share?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
