Writing The Fiction Story

So, you have a storyline. Now you need a character or two to add to your tale. Make sure you don’t dump just anyone. Think:

who is your character,

what’s his story,

what is his goal/aim/objective,

what are his obstacles,

how he will change in the end.

A lot to think about but not hard to accomplish. Try to go back into your memory and think of a few stories where the character stuck in your mind. What was it about them that caught your attention? For me, it’s always been Dracula. Why? Because he mixes up my emotions. At one point I hate and want to see him dead. The next instant I feel sympathetic toward him and what he cannot have- the girl he loved. Another character is Stiffler from American Pie; he is obnoxious, gets into the most hilarious sexual predicaments, yet deep down you see that he loves his little group of ‘odd’ friends and wants to be a part of the clique.

Both of these opposite characters have distinctive characteristics that stick in a reader’s/viewer’s mind and that is what you want to accomplish with your characters. Bond their situations, emotions, and reactions with your reader.

YOUR TURN:

Leave a comment and tell me which memorable character remains with you and why.

Lea Schizas is an award-winning author and editor. Her newest releases, “Rock Kingdom” by Tiger Publications and “Bubba and Giganto” by 4RV Publishing are scheduled for Fall 2008.

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