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Characterization, Goal, Motivation and Conflict

Writing Lesson 19 – Conflict of Values

By Melinda Evaul, on January 15th, 2010

Creating Unforgettable Characters, Part 4

In my last post we explored Internal and External Goals. Each of us has things we value. It makes us ‘tick.’ We don’t always recognize, though, what our values or goals are. We roll on in life doing what we believe is right and never stop to ask why we act the [...]

Characterization, Plotting

Writing Lesson 16 – Picking Ripe Characters

By Teri Dawn Smith, on December 11th, 2009

Stories Start on the Brink of Change

When you’re thinking about the characters for your story, choose ripe characters. Concoct a man who is on the brink of a choice. Or a woman who must make a moral decision, say between saving her job or exposing a lie. A ripe character stands on the [...]

Characterization, Goal, Motivation and Conflict

Writing Lesson 13 – Digging for Goals

By Melinda Evaul, on November 20th, 2009

Creating Unforgettable Characters, Part 3

Dig up a goal to motivate your characters into action. They will have depth and your story will come alive. Delve into each character’s personality and ask about the hidden fears, secrets, and the values. Find out what makes them tick.

Interview the characters you’ve created. Ask about their [...]

Characterization, Goal, Motivation and Conflict, Plotting, Showing vs. Telling

Writing Lesson 12 – Creating Inner Conflict

By Teri Dawn Smith, on November 13th, 2009

Creating Emotion in Writing

Almost every writing class or craft book will tell you the same thing: fiction must create a compelling emotional experience. The problem is these teachers also let you know that if your character cries, the reader probably won’t.

So how do you build this emotion? Simply writing highly emotional phrases [...]

Characterization, Goal, Motivation and Conflict

Writing Lesson 10 – Know Your Enemy

By Michelle Van Loon, on October 30th, 2009

Create Villains as Real as Your Heroes

When you’re planning a story, it is natural to pour your efforts into developing your protagonist’s character. You may spend a lot of time imagining his or her history, strengths, weaknesses, physical appearance . . . even, perhaps, what he or she eats for breakfast!

What if [...]