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How to write a character unlike you
In this guest contribution by ESL teacher Ethan Miller, Ethan shares ideas for creating characters who are completely different from yourself. Character creation is a key element of writing a novel. Authors, knowingly or unknowingly, often create characters that borrow heavily from their own...
October 5th, 2017
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Character flaws: Creating lovable imperfections
Character flaws serve multiple purposes. Often, they're the faults and shortcomings that create conflict between key players in a story. Yet flaws are also useful for creating attraction between characters. Without them, characters feel wooden, 'too perfect'. Without them, attraction might ...
March 15th, 2018
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Creating villain motivations: Writing real adversaries
In fiction, villains come in all guises and disguises, from scheming rulers to domineering family members or peers. Learn how to write villain motivations that make sense. For a look detailing what makes a character a villain, an antagonist or an anti-hero, read our in-depth post. 1. Explain...
November 27th, 2017
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Good character flaws: Create complex antagonists
Good character flaws are key to a believable character. Flawed characters create suspense - we wonder whether their flaws will get the best of them. The imbalances in their natures may create weaknesses that give others the upper hand. Here are tips to create flaws for antagonists or villains (i...
March 22nd, 2018
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Protagonist examples: Creating memorable main characters
What makes a protagonist or main character interesting and able to carry an entire novel or series? Explore protagonist examples from classic and contemporary fiction below, including tips to make your main character memorable: First, a protagonist definition The word 'protagonist' stems f...
March 26th, 2018
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Archetype examples: Write great characters from universals
Archetypes are useful for imagining diverse, interesting characters. Literature is full of jesters and jokers, lovers, warriors, wise sages, and fools. Some of these are literal (the fool is a literal court jester who entertains a king), others metaphorical (the 'class clown' who loves to entert...
March 29th, 2018
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Types of antagonists: Creating riveting opponents
There are many types of antagonists. Sometimes in a story a primary antagonist starts out as a close ally. Characters who oppose your main character's goals aren't necessarily 'bad', yet they serve a primary function: Standing between another character and their destiny. Here are 5 types of...
April 16th, 2018
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Character mannerisms: Describing character quirks and tics
Character mannerisms - the things people repeatedly do with their faces, hands, or voices without always realizing - help to create detailed characters. Sometimes we use mannerisms for humour, at other times to tell characters apart. Read tips for creating mannerisms, believable quirks and tics,...
August 16th, 2018
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Character description: 7 ways to avoid weak imagery
Strong character description is key to creating vivid and realistic characters. We may be tempted to reach first for obvious elements of physical description, such as eye and hair color. Yet strong imagery tells us more about a character's personality, quirks, strengths and flaws. To avoid weak ...
August 14th, 2018
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Character flaw list: 30 intriguing character flaws
Great, character-driven stories often have deeply flawed characters at their heart. Human flaws such as lust for power, greed and jealousy explain the errors many tragic figures from books make, from Mr Kurtz to Lord Voldemort. Let's briefly look at three types of character flaws. A minor ch...
August 20th, 2018
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Writing villain characters who feel human: 7 tips
Fiction is full of villainous characters who readers love to hate (and, sometimes, hate to love). Learning how to write a villain that your readers can understand as a complex human being (as opposed to a cardboard cutout) can give your novel depth. How do you write a villain who feels huma...
October 25th, 2018
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Writing character backstory that feels real: 5 tips
Character backstory - the past events and formative experiences that shape who your characters are - is key to creating characters of breadth and depth. Here are tips to weave backstory into your story believably: First: What is a backstory? 'Backstory' is a literary device authors use to ...
October 18th, 2018
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