Creativity Takes Courage

Hey hey hey everybody! As much as I'd love to have a long and in-depth post ready for you...I don't.  Sorry to disappoint.  (what can I say?  Economics is taking over my life. ) :/ What i do have, are tips for fellow writers!--well, kinda, haha.  This post, I'm gonna stay on the topic of how to 'get to know your character' and how to better 'create them.'  Here we go!



tip 1.) Try to imagine them in terms of real people.
     For example, when I create a villain, my first thoughts rush to movie-villains--ones that already exist-- and I kinda compare the differences and similarities they hold.  Really, it's just to get the feel of my character.  Try to picture them as real people... and the best way to try and imagine them as real people, is describing them......

tip 2.)Write out the character's height(how tall would you describe them? unusually tall?  so, like, 6 foot 3?  6 foot five?  Unusually short?  so...4 feet?  xP  Try to imagine seeing them!)

tip 3.)Decide the character's eye color, hair color, and skin color.  Silly as it may sound, it really helps.

tip 4.)Fun part!!  List out your character's fears.  This is my favorite thing to do, 'cause seriously, it helps so much!  It makes the character that I've created feel so real, and it helps make the character appear real to the reader too.  ;)
  
Example: Jade:
fear: her biggest fear is being alone--losing her twin brother, and never finding out the truth about herself.

tip 5.)NOW, list out the character's goals and beliefs!

Example: Jade:
goal: to escape the deathly & seemingly haunted island, and to find her true home.
beliefs: that her parents are still alive...and she believes that there are others out there searching for them, that they're not alone on the island.

tip 6.)This one's fun...write out an answer to this question: "What does your character want most in their world?"

Example: Colm
"What does he want most in the world?"
a: Freedom.

tip 7.)What are your character virtues?  List them out.

Example: Ahra
virtues: charitable, kind, understanding...etc

tip 8.)What are your character's vice?  List those out as well.

Example: Ahra
vices: impatient, stubborn, prideful...etc

     seeing the difference between the character's virtues and vices aids in deciding upon the perfect role for your character.

tip 9.) Another fun question to answer: "Who is your character closest to?"

Example: Freya
Closest to: her sister, Ahra--even though she's not her sister by blood.

tip 10.)second last question to answer: "who does your character hate the most--or do they hate anyone?"

Example: Ahra
dislikes the most: Aarin Poscahl

...figuring out who your character dislikes the most, says a lot about the character you've created.  It tells you the kinds of people your character hates, thus explaining what sorts of vices and personalities bother your character.

tip 11.) Make sure you're choosing the best name for your book character!  The names says a lot, trust me.  ;)

Charles Dickens:  "Get the name right and then, if you’re lucky, the character will appear.  He’s not here yet."  

^seriously one of my favorite quotes of his!  (from the movie: "The Man Who Invented Christmas")



Bonus Tip:)"Who is your character most like?"  i.e. what inspired this character?

Example: Jade
most like: myself.
inspired by: my little sister

And there you have it!  I know it kinda seems like a silly and boring post, but for those of you who are fellow writers, I hope it has encouraged you and/or aided in one way or another!



Happy Wednesday, y'all!

<3always: Emily

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