Writing

Characters

3 things that you must understand when writing with your character.

One of the biggest things that could make or break your brook when writing, is your characters. Most people don't understand this. They think they tell the story and just use the characters to help, but it does not work like that. It's the opposite in fact. So, here are the 3 things you must understand, things that will help you when writing your book and better understand what you are doing.

First things first: the character creates the story. Yes, you provide the situations- the action, the atmosphere, the backdrop- you provide all that, but how the story lays out in the end is up to the character you created. It's like they literally take on a life of their own and rule over your book. They develop habits, and they develop feelings. You can create as detailed of an outline as you want, but in the end, if it's not how the character see's fit, it's going to change. So just go with the flow.

Next, in knowing this: you need to create the character you want for the story. Don't put someone in where they don't belong or else a few things will happen. A) you will have a crappy story. B) the story line will change completely. or C) your character ends up being inconsistent (which really leads to A). Basically, narrow down traits of your character to keep them consistent with your story before you write (not after you started it), that way you know exactly who and what you're writing. It get's personal when developing a character, so prepare to feel the bonds between your characters and their emotions.

And last but not least, one of the biggest pet peeves of mine ever: Stay consistent! If you create a character a certain way, but you want a situation in the book to play out in a way that ends up going against the characters normal personality, you're going to ruin your book. Don't mold the character to the situation, mold the situation to the character. It might turn out differently than what you were hoping in the beginning, but it will be better in the end because, as I said before, the character is the one who rules over your story. You (the writer) are basically just putting obstacles in its way and letting them find a way over or around it themselves. If you do not stay constant, it's like your character is having a multiple personality disorder. (We only want that if it's intended.)

Practice this example:

Pick someone, a friend or relative, then model a character after them.

Now, put a situation in front of them of your choosing, even something outrageous. What would that person naturally do, and how could you mold the situation (not the character) to get the outcome that you want?

Going over the points again, this is what you should know understand-

1) Go with the flow.

2) Know the character you create before you write the story.

3) Constant characters are a must! Don't fight what the character does naturally.

These points are all basically repeating themselves, but it's stressing different points in how you create your character for the book, and how it keeps the story consistent and entertaining.

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I hope this has helped you guys! If you have any tips you would personally like to know, comment them in the comments below and I'll see about making a chapter on it :)

If you guys want funny examples to go with the tips and tricks i give, then let me know! i'll happily do them :)

And P.S... Yes  i will be writing soon, but i'm bombarded with finals at the moment.

Hopefully I can find time soon to finish and continue writing books :)

-KenZ_Dizzy95