Word by Word

Practical insights for writers from Jessica P Morrell

NaNoWriMo Writers: Getting to know your main characters, part 2

Written By: Jessica Morrell - Oct• 29•18

More rain around here, but I managed to get in a few walks over the weekend including trails at the Hoyt Arboretum, or Portland’s Museum of Trees.

If I could offer a single piece of advice about creating characters it would be this: Take risks with your main characters. Make them stand out from the myriads of novels published each year. And don’t be afraid to allow your stars eccentricities, quirks, and oddball ways of  being in the world.

Mostly they need to be memorable. From my book Bullies, Bastards, & Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction

Writing fiction that catches an editor’s attention requires taking risks, especially in writing fascinating characters embroiled in an unbearable situation. When you’re creating your main characters, especially you’re creating a bad ass, keep this in mind: While you’ll shape characters based on emotions and experiences you understand, your characters will always range much farther than you. They will have more adventures and deeper sorrows, their desires will burn red hot, their desperation will cause them to to resort to trickery and deceit, and their failures will bear the mark of doomsday. So, although you’ll understand your characters, don’t impose your own values, thoughts, and beliefs on your cast. Let them range far from the confines of your safe world, allow them to surprise you with their antics and desires, and, if possible, give them beliefs and values quite different from your own.

More questions for your protagonist guaranteed to get your creative wheels turning:

  • What’s the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
  • You greatest humiliation?
  • What is your biggest regret?
  • What is your superpower?
  • Who do you cherish most in the world?
  • If you could change one thing about your world, what would it be?
  • If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
  • What is your average day like?
  • How do you spend your time off?
  • What 5-6 words sum up your values?
  • What do you do after a really bad day?
  • How do you celebrate?
  • Secret you’d never tell your significant other? Your best friend or trusted confidant?
  • What reminds you of home?
  • What item must you always take along when traveling?
  • Favorite drink?
  • Secret vice?
  • Pizza or tacos?
  • Favorite climate? Season?
  • Reading or television to unwind?
  • Breakfast or coffee only?

Keep writing, Keep dreaming, Have heart

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