Pointers for Story Lines

Major or central characters

Major or central characters are vital to the development and resolution of any conflict your work many have because the plot and resolution of that conflict revolves around these characters. This can be one or more characters, it's up to you. As a writer you have the power to create about anything.

The major characters are the small handful of principal players in your novel, the protagonist included. [There will be a chapter dedicated to the protagonist here soon.]

Most of the action, if not all of it, happens around the major character or characters. The major character(s) is/are not always the protagonist, but it can be. Almost all novels have only one protagonist and several other major characters. It's easier to deal with.

Major characters are identified by their purpose in the story and whether their part helps or not the protagonist solve his/her issue.

Major characters may have their own subplots that occur simultaneously with the protagonists problem. This is J.R. Ward writing style.

You can write a subplot that never touches the main plot. Something that will be there to prepare your next novel. You can make your parallel plot any size and significance that suits you. When you want to create suspense that pays off big, try launching two parallel plots, then weaving them together at a certain point.

Here is an example:

Plot 1: Philomele Jonetre, a 24-year-old French woman, fell ill with cholera in 1867. After a few days of being sick, she was given the last rites by a priest and pronounced dead. She was placed in her coffin one hour later, and within six hours of death, she was under the ground.*

Plot 2: Mary Jane, a 23-year-old English woman, arrives to a small French village to look for her lost sister.

Plot 1: When the gravediggers finished burying Philomele, they were about to head home when they heard a knocking sound from the grave site. Realizing Philomele was still alive, they hastily dug up all their previous work and quickly called for a physician.

Plot 2: Mary Jane hears the news of the woman found in the cemetery and becomes curious.

Plot 1: As the doctor examined Philomele, he could hear a faint heartbeat. He also noted that the fresh wounds on her hands matched the kind of injuries expected from knocking on a coffin lid. Her breath was so faint that it almost did not exist, but the physician was able to revive her. He kept her alive until the next day, when she passed away either due to cholera or her nightmarish ordeal in the coffin.

Plot 2: Mary Jane finds her way to dead woman's body. She knew it was her sister. How can one not recognize the person who looked exactly like her?

Plot 1: This time, everybody involved made sure that she was truly dead.

Plot 2: Mary Jane stayed for the funeral.

*Story from plot 1comes from Listverse.com

This story began with Jonetre and ended with Mary Jane. It could be continued to M.J. as well.

Some readers love recursion. If you introduce a subplot early, then leave it more or less alone until you resolve it near the end, readers will be delighted.

For writers of mystery, suspense and/or thrillers, weaving in clues is a major (and strategic) subplot challenge.

Give yourself permission to expand your fictional World.

How to shape characters

First of all you need to know basic information about your character: name, birth date, place of birth, current address, brief description of home, does she or he live with anyone and home décor (expensive, neat, cluttered.)

Second layer of basic information you as a writer need to know: current occupation, job satisfaction, income level, education, sexuality, marital status, list of any significant previous romantic partners and how did they meet.

Psychical appearance: height, weight, body type, eye color, skin tone, face shape, general health, how does she or he dress, hairstyle and current hair color.

Speech and language: accent? Dialect? Voice tone? Any favorite phrases? What's the general vocabulary or speech pattern? Educated? Precise? Vulgar? Any mannerisms? What's the typical posture? Stiff and rigid? Any common gestures?

Now let's consider everyday behavior. Describe any personal habits. Any addictions? Any hobbies? Any skills?

The past is also very important and you have to figure it out.

Was his/her childhood happy? Troubled? Dull? Earliest memory? Saddest memory? Happiest memory? Most significant childhood event is? Any police record? First crush? Major traumas?

Family also plays a part. Take some time for that.

Mother's name? Mother's current status? Mother's occupation?

Father's name? Father's current status? Father's occupation?

Describe relationship with the character.

Any step-parents? Foster parents?

Is she or he adopted?

Mental attitude/personal beliefs: Phobias? Depression? Paranoia? Optimist? Personality type? Most comfortable when? Most uncomfortable when? Priorities? Biggest embarrassment? Biggest regret? Biggest secret? Short term goals? Long terms goals?

You have a lot of work to do, so off you go.

Ana & Deb