They're an easy place to start with fiction - instead of a person, an archetype. The Mother Figure. The Ruler. They're not real characters - they're props, served to do exactly what they're expected to do and get offstage quickly.
What's your favorite archetype? The mouthy teen? The too-smart child? Lovers? Why? Do you find this person in all your stories?
Writing Prompt: Take your favorite archetype, and write a short scene with the person as the archetype. Now do it again with the person showing personality and breaking the mold. Which is more interesting? Why?
(and if people are actually finding this blog useful, could you please comment? I'd like to know if someone's reading!)
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Active Characters
Part of making an engaging character is having it be someone that goes out and does things. No matter how interesting a person is, having said person sit around in their room all day and do nothing does not a good story make. (With some rare exceptions, as there are to every rule, but let's not go into those right now).
So you've got a person being active. What does that mean? How do you write about that? What does active do?
Writing prompt: Write a scene in passive voice, where everything happens TO the character. Then rewrite it in active voice and see what's different. Do you see how the person being active makes a difference?
It's hard to have a main character be too active. We're invested in that character - have them go out and do things!
So you've got a person being active. What does that mean? How do you write about that? What does active do?
Writing prompt: Write a scene in passive voice, where everything happens TO the character. Then rewrite it in active voice and see what's different. Do you see how the person being active makes a difference?
It's hard to have a main character be too active. We're invested in that character - have them go out and do things!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Off-topic!
I have a cold. It's off-topic week.
But for those of you with a novel in progress, and you'd like to run a first paragraph past a real live agent, check this out! http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2008/12/2nd-sort-of-annual-stupendously.html
He's crazy, but it's fun! (and yes, I entered already)
But for those of you with a novel in progress, and you'd like to run a first paragraph past a real live agent, check this out! http://nathanbransford.blogspot.com/2008/12/2nd-sort-of-annual-stupendously.html
He's crazy, but it's fun! (and yes, I entered already)
Monday, December 1, 2008
Holiday Time!
Every world has them. Whether you're writing a heartwarming romance or a sci-fi thriller, your universe has holidays.
So how does your character feel about them? Does he go home? Avoid his family like the plague? Why? Which holidays does your character feel strongly about, and which are just days off? Are there shopping holidays like Black Friday that are important?
Writing prompt: Write a short scene with your character going home for a Thanksgiving-like holiday. How does it go? Is it farce or sweet? Does it tell you anything about the character?
So how does your character feel about them? Does he go home? Avoid his family like the plague? Why? Which holidays does your character feel strongly about, and which are just days off? Are there shopping holidays like Black Friday that are important?
Writing prompt: Write a short scene with your character going home for a Thanksgiving-like holiday. How does it go? Is it farce or sweet? Does it tell you anything about the character?
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