Not sure your story is up to par? Need writer friends? Need critiques? Do it all in one place! Get paired with a member each week and pick up some new writing tips and skills :D
Join Bookworms United!
Read how to apply inside!
On a scale of 1-10, how do you rate your partner's characterization so far? Do they use indirect or direct characterization? Do you think this is the best choice for their story? If not, why?
Characterization:
This week we're learning about DIRECT and INDIRECT CHARACTERIZATION.
Direct Characterizationis when the narrator explicitly describes a character's traits. It's basically when you tell the reader about a character's emotional state, personality, and physical attributes.
For example, Tate was a tall guy, and nobody let him forget it.
Indirect Characterizationis when the narrator shows the character traits to a reader, using tools like dialogue and actions
Let's transform the example above into indirect characterization,
Dialogue: "Hey, Tate! How's the weather up there?" his colleague joked. Tate's face remained motionless. He'd heard that joke a million times.
Actions: Tate ducked under the bus' doorframe as he entered. His hunched figure hurried to find a spot in the back, where he could stretch his legs.
You might've noticed this is basically: Showing vs Telling Characterization version (lolz)
Now, after reading this you might be thinking that indirect characterization is the hero (hip, hip, hurrah!), and direct characterization is our bad guy (avoid at all costs/big no no).
That isn't true.
Direct characterization can be useful as long as you:
- Don't overdo it. Don't always use direct characterization, or else your narrative voice might feel a little bland.
- Focus on specific character traits. Avoid doing the classic: "She had brown eyes and blonde hair." Instead focus on things that make a character memorable like: "He'd always liked the freckles on her cheeks. They reminded him of cookies and creme ice cream."
- Use direct characterization for key details It can be effective for revealing a character's main traits like: "He was a scary man. He mostly kept to himself, said nothing, did little. It didn't help that he walked around with a machete."
If you'd like to read more about direct and indirect characterization, here's a link: https://www.nownovel.com/blog/direct-vs-indirect-characterization/
________________________
Remember that after reading and commenting on the 3 chapters of your fellow bookworm, you have to let me know you're finished, in the comment section of THIS chapter.
