I really need more of these, I love your attitude and how you are an aspiring author like myself. I feel like I can relate to you and when I watch your writing videos it is honestly very helpful to me in terms of overcoming writer's block, and where I'm going to take my story next. Thank you Andrea, but please post more videos. I need them :)
Love tip three and and tip four is awesome, I've haven't thought of it like that before! I used to do tip one, but I found it was making characters too cardboard cutout, particularly for minor characters. Since readers all imagine characters differently, what works better for me is just making a few notes on their appearance, and more rambling notes about their lives and what's going on in their heads. This way they seem more like real people to me, and hopefully will have the same impact on readers.
Very nice and detailed tips, well explained. The way I go about characterization with my protagonist or any character I allow the reader to learn and discover my characters quirks and eccentricities as the book moves along. For instance if the character has a backstory I may reveal that in a dream sequence to allow a better opportunity for the reader to understand how my character reached this point. Also, as with a book I am currently writing, my main character was once married but I am choosing to string that information out giving snippets here and there with a full reveal latter in the book. As for character description I find it useful to show instead of tell by using that quality as a focal point whether it's their bulging muscles, penetrating emerald green eyes or instead of a head full of blonde locs they prefer wearing a fedora.
Just to throw it out there for Andrea and viewers interested in finding out stories that authors - both traditional and self-published - put into naming their characters go check out Names: A New Perspective (NAMP). +50 or so guest posts and its still ongoing!
Thanks a lot for this! When I choose names for my characters, I tend to find a name that either fits who they are (as in personality, appearance etc.) like a name that means 'strong warrior' or one that fits their role in the story like if they're a ghost, their name could mean 'lost soul'. Not sure if that's a good idea or not but it makes naming a character very fun. x3
Great tips Andrea. I usually go back to the main characters grand parents in the family tree. I use evernote a lot. If you use chrome there is an add on called clearly that will send anything you highlight to your evernote account.
One of the things I do which is helpful, after I decide on a rough approximation of the total number of primary characters (and after I have a rough setting and before I have a plot) is to create a list of "two-word characters" (e.g. "vengeful shipbuilding"). The list is at least three times longer than the total number of primary characters and they should all be interesting characters. Then, start to shorten this list by combining characters. At this point, character arcs begin to emerge. As more and more character arcs are known, plot begins to emerge and more settings become known.
I really like your first tip: To keep detailed descriptions. I do something similar to that. For all of my character biographies, I write them in first person allowing the character to speak for themselves. (I have like LONG biographies) Like for one of my characters, called Tori. She starts her biography like - "Hi! I'm Tori!" I also really learned a lot from your other tip when you said to have the co-stars aid the protagonist in that special way. I really. really liked that. It was a different tip and one that I never heard before.
Cool stuff! The only thing I could think to say in edition to it, is that sometimes having a character name that's similar to someone/something else in pop culture/life can actually work for you too. For example, I have a main character who I created a loooooong time ago (think decade :p ) and I'm just now getting down to writing her story, yet, the name I gave her bares sharp similarity to a certain popular European royal celebrity (Yes, the one you're probably thinking of. ;) ) who became famous and royal after I created said character. HOWEVER...ironically that celebrity's "image" is pretty much the character (at least, in appearance) that royal's style, air, or "cache" is the kind of thing I want to invoke in the reader's mind when they picture my character in their head anyway, so I think it still works...errm...probably. :)
This is a really helpful video! Thank you so much Andrea. Can you make a video on tips when doing research for a story or finding ideas for scenes and situations.
Sure! Honestly, most names will probably be taken by someone in the world, but it's only a problem for you as a writer if a certain name has connotations that you don't want for your character. :)
Thanks! I'm spending a lot of time right now working on who the characters are which is something I've never really done before. It's looking like this might be a mystery series so I'm not really sure how much character development needs to be in the story in addition to solving the mystery. Any suggestions? If it ends up being a series, I don't want to have to keep rehashing the same development points over and over.
This is awesome! I always wondered if it was normal to need to draw out mind map type things for characters! Btw, you mentioned you were working on something? Cheers!
Out of curiosity, what's your stance on fanfiction? I read a lot and can't help but wonder if your points about backstory and complimentary personalities aren't helpful in fanfiction because its nature--writing using already-developed characters--adds the dimension of maintaining a connection to the source material. Or does it further challenge the author by forcing him or her to create these dynamics while also staying true to the character?
Hey, I am a new subscriber to this channel so the following question might sound a bit stupid. Do you post anything you write online? Because if you do I'd like to check it out.
:) I love wearing lipstick and drinking from cups, so there are stains in them *freak* ;) I always try not naming my characters until it feels right, but it's a pretty good idea to google the name! Thanks!
I don't know what's wrong with me; when i read the title of this video I thought it would be about unusual writing - like strange stories, and tips on how to accomplish that. the same thing happened to be with your "love triangles in literature" video; I though it would be about triangles (like the litteral shape) appearing in litterature and that you love that.
"Put a lot of care into selecting your names." hah. hah. hahaha. I usually spend about two days picking the name. I make lists. I make very long lists. I have a problem.
hello, i am 17 years of age however i would love a fresh set of eyes on my recent work? I've got a draft of my book nearly completed and i would really like someone to take a look at the opening chapter to gain some valuable feedback, any chance you could spare some time to help out an aspiring writer like myself?
All your tips and suggestions are very good and your personality is great too. But I would kindly suggest to slow down a bit and put a slight pause or breath at the end of your sentences. In writing as you know they are periods. I don't know where this editing habit got started of people trying to make their entire video sound like one huge run-on sentence and cut immediately after the last voice sound. Many you tubers do this and it drives people nuts. I know it would add an extra minute to the videos but it would be worth it. Anyway, I appreciate the helpful tips and will use them in my writing. Thanks!
Watt pad is dangerous there are a lot of people who will use your stories and maybe even sell it for a lot of money, they could use it as their own or write a story almost the same as the original one and you have NO prove it was yours.
Okay, my protagonist is kind of complex. Sophie Fletcher is really, really smart, but the way I'm writing her, she comes off as aloof, sort of like a cat. She can be really critical without thinking about it. This can work to her advantage, as she can push ideas to the limit and act as kind of a filter for bad ideas. Conversely, this can also make her alienate others, to the point where other, more sensitive characters hate her. Her biggest problem, though, is her lack of sociability. She can be nice and funny, but in order to reach that side, one has to work through a lot of indifference and cynicism. Is this a well-rounded character?
During the first two minutes and twenty seconds, you rambled so much that I was about to go to another video. Then you said, "Map out the character arc." The rest of the video, except for the rambling, was interesting and useful.
![[LIVE] : ONE ลุมพินี 86 | คู่เอก "คมเพชร vs ชาติพยัคฆ์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/m3q_dRYDuU8/mqdefault.jpg)
These are some really fun tips. I'm going to share this during my TweetChat next week about developing characters. Thanks!
Great, thanks so much! :)
I really need more of these, I love your attitude and how you are an aspiring author like myself. I feel like I can relate to you and when I watch your writing videos it is honestly very helpful to me in terms of overcoming writer's block, and where I'm going to take my story next. Thank you Andrea, but please post more videos. I need them :)
Yep...again you have given your audience a bunch of great ideas for characterization and development. Keep them coming!
Great advice. And I love the editing. Perfect balance of personal touch and no-nonsense advice giving. Thank you so much!!
I love your tips! I like how you try to make them unusual, because most websites are all the same.
Great information. This is completely unrelated but I love that you have a coffee pot on your desk.
Love tip three and and tip four is awesome, I've haven't thought of it like that before! I used to do tip one, but I found it was making characters too cardboard cutout, particularly for minor characters. Since readers all imagine characters differently, what works better for me is just making a few notes on their appearance, and more rambling notes about their lives and what's going on in their heads. This way they seem more like real people to me, and hopefully will have the same impact on readers.
Your awesome and very intuitive . I'm starting my writing again and I feel a little bit more encouraged while watching this video.. thank you
Very nice and detailed tips, well explained. The way I go about characterization with my protagonist or any character I allow the reader to learn and discover my characters quirks and eccentricities as the book moves along. For instance if the character has a backstory I may reveal that in a dream sequence to allow a better opportunity for the reader to understand how my character reached this point. Also, as with a book I am currently writing, my main character was once married but I am choosing to string that information out giving snippets here and there with a full reveal latter in the book. As for character description I find it useful to show instead of tell by using that quality as a focal point whether it's their bulging muscles, penetrating emerald green eyes or instead of a head full of blonde locs they prefer wearing a fedora.
Just to throw it out there for Andrea and viewers interested in finding out stories that authors - both traditional and self-published - put into naming their characters go check out Names: A New Perspective (NAMP). +50 or so guest posts and its still ongoing!
Thanks a lot for this! When I choose names for my characters, I tend to find a name that either fits who they are (as in personality, appearance etc.) like a name that means 'strong warrior' or one that fits their role in the story like if they're a ghost, their name could mean 'lost soul'. Not sure if that's a good idea or not but it makes naming a character very fun. x3
Good stuff. I'll be keeping this. Thanks.
Great tips Andrea. I usually go back to the main characters grand parents in the family tree. I use evernote a lot. If you use chrome there is an add on called clearly that will send anything you highlight to your evernote account.
keeping lists about characters for me personally is essential, specially when it comes to personality, behaviours characteristics and family etc
Thanks these tips were unbelievably help full
One of the things I do which is helpful, after I decide on a rough approximation of the total number of primary characters (and after I have a rough setting and before I have a plot) is to create a list of "two-word characters" (e.g. "vengeful shipbuilding"). The list is at least three times longer than the total number of primary characters and they should all be interesting characters. Then, start to shorten this list by combining characters. At this point, character arcs begin to emerge. As more and more character arcs are known, plot begins to emerge and more settings become known.
I really like your first tip: To keep detailed descriptions. I do something similar to that. For all of my character biographies, I write them in first person allowing the character to speak for themselves. (I have like LONG biographies) Like for one of my characters, called Tori. She starts her biography like - "Hi! I'm Tori!" I also really learned a lot from your other tip when you said to have the co-stars aid the protagonist in that special way. I really. really liked that. It was a different tip and one that I never heard before.
That's great, I am looking forward to it.
Cool stuff! The only thing I could think to say in edition to it, is that sometimes having a character name that's similar to someone/something else in pop culture/life can actually work for you too. For example, I have a main character who I created a loooooong time ago (think decade :p ) and I'm just now getting down to writing her story, yet, the name I gave her bares sharp similarity to a certain popular European royal celebrity (Yes, the one you're probably thinking of. ;) ) who became famous and royal after I created said character. HOWEVER...ironically that celebrity's "image" is pretty much the character (at least, in appearance) that royal's style, air, or "cache" is the kind of thing I want to invoke in the reader's mind when they picture my character in their head anyway, so I think it still works...errm...probably. :)
Awesome! Thanks for this. Some very helpful information.
Your comment made me check Scrivener out and I love it! Thanks. :)
This is a really helpful video! Thank you so much Andrea. Can you make a video on tips when doing research for a story or finding ideas for scenes and situations.
Thank you for this, gives me something to ramble about too!
Great tips! I'm sure we'd all love to see some of your writings because you sound so interesting. Btw, you should totally have more subscribers.
Sure! Honestly, most names will probably be taken by someone in the world, but it's only a problem for you as a writer if a certain name has connotations that you don't want for your character. :)
This really helps, like, A LOT. Thank you!!
Hah! You're a Heckler!!! I love comedy... *crickets buzzing*
Come for the writing tips, stay for the smile.
I found this really helpful!
This got me inspired to start writing a novel. I've always loved writing but I've never finished anything.
Great info, thanks!
Thanks! I'm spending a lot of time right now working on who the characters are which is something I've never really done before. It's looking like this might be a mystery series so I'm not really sure how much character development needs to be in the story in addition to solving the mystery. Any suggestions? If it ends up being a series, I don't want to have to keep rehashing the same development points over and over.
Thank you so much!
This is awesome! I always wondered if it was normal to need to draw out mind map type things for characters!
Btw, you mentioned you were working on something?
Cheers!
Out of curiosity, what's your stance on fanfiction? I read a lot and can't help but wonder if your points about backstory and complimentary personalities aren't helpful in fanfiction because its nature--writing using already-developed characters--adds the dimension of maintaining a connection to the source material. Or does it further challenge the author by forcing him or her to create these dynamics while also staying true to the character?
Great tips! Just downloaded Evernote -- sweet suggestion! :)
This really helped thank you!
Thanks for the tips
If you're looking for software other than a word processor for writing then you should look into Scrivener.
another good vlog. I hope the next one is soon :)
Do more of these.
That sounds interesting, thanks!
Hey, I am a new subscriber to this channel so the following question might sound a bit stupid. Do you post anything you write online? Because if you do I'd like to check it out.
I make an Access Spreadsheet with every single named character in. I put name, age, birthday, where they live, job/school, and a description
I like how you have a coffee maker right at your work station! Lol...I think I will do the same...keep my butt in the chair longer! Hahaha.
:) I love wearing lipstick and drinking from cups, so there are stains in them *freak* ;) I always try not naming my characters until it feels right, but it's a pretty good idea to google the name! Thanks!
Thank you so much :)))
How did you end up in my feed, sweetheart? Watched anyway.. nice video. 💚 Good tips. It's ok to ramble.. 🤙
(I also use Word document. Haha)
I don't know what's wrong with me; when i read the title of this video I thought it would be about unusual writing - like strange stories, and tips on how to accomplish that. the same thing happened to be with your "love triangles in literature" video; I though it would be about triangles (like the litteral shape) appearing in litterature and that you love that.
i have no idea about the characterization and its my homework for tomorrow .. so
WHAT CAN I DO
"Put a lot of care into selecting your names." hah. hah. hahaha. I usually spend about two days picking the name. I make lists. I make very long lists. I have a problem.
You are awesome
you look good in this picture
hello, i am 17 years of age however i would love a fresh set of eyes on my recent work? I've got a draft of my book nearly completed and i would really like someone to take a look at the opening chapter to gain some valuable feedback, any chance you could spare some time to help out an aspiring writer like myself?
+Mike Quilli I'm an aspiring writer myself and wouldn't mind to read a chapter or two.
good stuff :-)
Have you ever get anything published? I'd love to read something of yours :)
you are to fast but all your tips help me allot
All your tips and suggestions are very good and your personality is great too. But I would kindly suggest to slow down a bit and put a slight pause or breath at the end of your sentences. In writing as you know they are periods. I don't know where this editing habit got started of people trying to make their entire video sound like one huge run-on sentence and cut immediately after the last voice sound. Many you tubers do this and it drives people nuts. I know it would add an extra minute to the videos but it would be worth it. Anyway, I appreciate the helpful tips and will use them in my writing. Thanks!
Good video but easy on the jump cuts
try wattpad
I love wattpad!!
Watt pad is dangerous there are a lot of people who will use your stories and maybe even sell it for a lot of money, they could use it as their own or write a story almost the same as the original one and you have NO prove it was yours.
hi
Okay, my protagonist is kind of complex. Sophie Fletcher is really, really smart, but the way I'm writing her, she comes off as aloof, sort of like a cat. She can be really critical without thinking about it. This can work to her advantage, as she can push ideas to the limit and act as kind of a filter for bad ideas. Conversely, this can also make her alienate others, to the point where other, more sensitive characters hate her. Her biggest problem, though, is her lack of sociability. She can be nice and funny, but in order to reach that side, one has to work through a lot of indifference and cynicism. Is this a well-rounded character?
Advert Alert!
you are great but it might be better if you can speak slowly
SLOW DOWN.
WhaT-everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
You talk like there's a fire in you house.
Long story short, software doesn't write novels.
By the time you got to tip number 2 I have no idea what you said. Too fast, rambley & valley girlish. I know that rambley isn't a word but...
During the first two minutes and twenty seconds, you rambled so much that I was about to go to another video. Then you said, "Map out the character arc." The rest of the video, except for the rambling, was interesting and useful.
Are you single?
How do you get your teeth so white when you drink coffee?
+Arione Criner 5:36
Wow you are so cute its distracting