Writing Vivid Characters: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors (Writer's Craft Book 18) by Rayne Hall

Author:Rayne Hall
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2016-07-29T23:00:00+00:00

ASSIGNMENT

What is your main character’s secret?

What would the devastating consequences be if it came out?

How did it begin? How does it escalate?

What does she do to guard the secret? (List several measures she takes.)

In what ways might the secret be threatened? (Think of several possibilities.)

When, how, and to whom does she tell the truth?

CHAPTER 8: HOW DOES THE CHARACTER REACT TO PROBLEMS?

Fiction characters meet a lot of problems – from minor setbacks to devastating disasters, from half-expected obstacles to shocking surprises.

Everyone reacts to troubles in a different way, and has their own approach to problem-solving. What is this character’s default mode? When faced with a worrying issue, what’s her immediate response? After she’s had time to think, how does she face the challenge?

Decide this for every important character in the book – the MC and all the major characters.

Here’s a list of ideas to get you started.

When disaster strikes, the character...

… cuddles her teddy

… calls her mum

… curses

… prays

… yells

… cries

… eats three big bars of chocolate

… trusts her husband to solve the problem

… downs a double whisky

… ignores the problem, pretending it doesn’t exist

… keeps herself busy with other matters

… researches the issue on the internet

… buys a book on the subject

… hires an expert to deal with the issue

… berates herself for being so stupid

… blames the messenger

… finds others to blame

… considers how this will affect her status or reputation

… worries how much this is going to cost

… goes to the gym for a vigorous workout

… punches a sandbag

… beats up her children

… has her slaves whipped

… treats herself to a new pair of shoes

… stays in bed

… goes to the pub, drowns her sorrows in beer

… has sex with the first person available

… finds a way to pass the problem to someone else

… sits down with pen and paper and brainstorms solutions

… creates structured charts for problem-solving

… writes a list of ten possible ways to deal with the problem, then chooses the best

… calls her team for an emergency meeting

… books an appointment with her therapist

… throws something against a wall

… does vigorous digging and weeding in her garden

… cleans her kitchen and scrubs her floors until they’re spotless

… meditates

… recalls previous experiences and applies what she learnt from those

… considers who she knows who can advise her

… joins an internet forum on the topic and posts a request for advice

... follows the rules and established procedures

... procrastinates

… gives up her big plan, because it was obviously not meant to be

… pours out her troubles to her best friend who is a good listener

… puts on her favourite music at loud volume and dances wildly

… withdraws into her art and pours out her anger, worry and confusion onto the canvas

… goes for a long walk, regardless of the weather

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