tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post3781322204287574979..comments2024-01-12T00:48:48.031-06:00Comments on Go Teen Writers: Write Characters Worth Caring AboutStephanie Morrillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13128389560727867719noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-21843386059902263002015-03-02T20:12:22.788-06:002015-03-02T20:12:22.788-06:00I totally agree! The characters are always the mos...I totally agree! The characters are always the most important element to me!<br />My favorite characters are often antiheroes, or people who just seem to have gaps in their stories. Like there's so much more to them than meets the eye.<br /><br /><br />Alexa S. Winters<br />thessalexa.blogspot.comAlexa Mintahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865586987033390255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-54823669721590200992015-03-02T20:12:08.280-06:002015-03-02T20:12:08.280-06:00I totally agree! The characters are always the mos...I totally agree! The characters are always the most important element to me!<br />My favorite characters are often antiheroes, or people who just seem to have gaps in their stories. Like there's so much more to them than meets the eye.<br /><br /><br />Alexa S. Winters<br />thessalexa.blogspot.comAlexa Mintahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865586987033390255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-26826046059970256732015-03-01T18:16:24.299-06:002015-03-01T18:16:24.299-06:00Yes Hanan, I agree with you! :) Yes Hanan, I agree with you! :) Emma Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17789949390534981103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-27148652841539388222015-03-01T15:48:11.627-06:002015-03-01T15:48:11.627-06:00Huh. I'm with you all on the redeemability (no...Huh. I'm with you all on the redeemability (not an actual word...) of characters. Why do you guys think that is? I mean, we all obviously find that attractive, right, and who ever heard of it being attractive to have a really delicate character with a hidden tough spot???Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-25198524289758064902015-03-01T09:11:43.174-06:002015-03-01T09:11:43.174-06:00I like the idea of a contest!I like the idea of a contest!Random Personnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-86661264171949660102015-03-01T09:08:37.920-06:002015-03-01T09:08:37.920-06:00The only thing better than a broken character is o...The only thing better than a broken character is one who has overcome their brokenness. Random Personnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-28461856473424478412015-03-01T09:05:02.397-06:002015-03-01T09:05:02.397-06:00You're doing things right. Little things add u...You're doing things right. Little things add up to make the best characters. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-85034879819385646932015-02-28T23:45:13.922-06:002015-02-28T23:45:13.922-06:00I show little things that make readers connect. A ...I show little things that make readers connect. A disability, a desire to become something else or something readers take for granted the character never had.pgacnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01868397677690901418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-62659926030916744222015-02-28T21:41:39.171-06:002015-02-28T21:41:39.171-06:00Thanks for the advice, Anonymous! Thank God, I do ...Thanks for the advice, Anonymous! Thank God, I do have my writer-friends with whom I can share my work, but what I meant by "others" was my non-writer friends. Because after all, likely the majority of those who read my story (if anyone ever will) will be--well, simply readers, not writers. I hope I am NOT blind to my character's flaws... I always try make sure my characters have a good balance of vice and virtue in them. Because honestly, perfect characters are hard, if not impossible, to pull off without readers rolling their eyes.<br /><br />And I love contests too!! Thanks for this great article, Mrs. Dittemore.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12331254068588265995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-17694445031788190362015-02-28T17:24:52.227-06:002015-02-28T17:24:52.227-06:00Nice! Love contests and writing prompts! So much f...Nice! Love contests and writing prompts! So much fun! (kinda nice to get out of that 'I'm stuck in this story' rut for a bit! :) and for Anonymous, I have TON'S of writing pals that I've linked up with to get feedback and stuff and that is quite helpful for that sorta thing! (thanks for mentioning it though!) I do find that my characters flaws are for sure present in the story itself, but the question is, do the quirks that I see them do actually appear there present in the story, or are my characters coming off as big snobs and aren't actually as likeable to everybody else as they are to me. Think that I'm starting to learn the ropes of characterization though, didn't realize how important it was until my second draft. Hoping to breathe some more into their flesh, thanks for all of the tips!) Oh, I have one more thing, stubborn characters are VERY hard to write. (you know, the kinds that refuse to talk to you and clog up your brain? Yeah that kind!) Actually though, if you can pull it off, they come off as the most believeable characters in stories I've read, (or so I've found) they actually are easier to show their thought process. Just something for your brains to chew on! (and P.S.S, I LOVE WRITING CONTESTS! Just the gratification of having someone else read my writing is astounding! :) Thanks for all you do! :) Emma Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17789949390534981103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-75961397326475865852015-02-28T14:55:46.019-06:002015-02-28T14:55:46.019-06:00Sidekicks are often easier to love because we don&...Sidekicks are often easier to love because we don't feel the same obligation to GET THEM RIGHT. We can play with their personalities a bit without affecting the overall thrust of the story. It's important to give yourself this kind of permission in regards to your main characters as well. Especially during the drafting phase. Let yourself be playful. Try new things. You may like your character a little more.Shannon Dittemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07757781231485815876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-27821191217573001262015-02-28T14:54:02.589-06:002015-02-28T14:54:02.589-06:00Remember, you don't have to nail all these thi...Remember, you don't have to nail all these things in the first draft. Or even the second. Write in whatever way works best for you, but in your editing process, don't forget to consider how a reader will connect with your characters.Shannon Dittemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07757781231485815876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-65114984580248686102015-02-28T14:52:42.395-06:002015-02-28T14:52:42.395-06:00Broken characters are real. I dig it. Broken characters are real. I dig it. Shannon Dittemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07757781231485815876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-49597305877531015102015-02-28T14:51:57.045-06:002015-02-28T14:51:57.045-06:00I DO have a fabulous showing exercise, Emma! I'...I DO have a fabulous showing exercise, Emma! I'll blog about it soon. Maybe we'll do a contest or something.Shannon Dittemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07757781231485815876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-45209428130800296672015-02-28T14:50:58.536-06:002015-02-28T14:50:58.536-06:00I rather like being carried away. ;) I agree with ...I rather like being carried away. ;) I agree with you. Books with intriguing main characters earn the reader's permission to meander more than others.Shannon Dittemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07757781231485815876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-83902083120722320392015-02-28T14:49:20.604-06:002015-02-28T14:49:20.604-06:00Hooray! I agree. Plot matters too.Hooray! I agree. Plot matters too.Shannon Dittemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07757781231485815876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-48187066058397709382015-02-28T14:49:00.983-06:002015-02-28T14:49:00.983-06:00It's all about the showing, isn't it?It's all about the showing, isn't it?Shannon Dittemorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07757781231485815876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-9293104839578500182015-02-28T10:19:36.915-06:002015-02-28T10:19:36.915-06:00We can be blind to our character's faults, but...We can be blind to our character's faults, but I find a writing friend, even if they're invested in the characters, will be able to tell you everything honestly, as long as you trust them to give an honest opinion. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-73476044137752657112015-02-28T10:16:10.684-06:002015-02-28T10:16:10.684-06:00If you are not invested in those scenes, they will...If you are not invested in those scenes, they will turn on you, but you can try: reading similar scenes you've written, take a break and write what you want to write, listen to music putting you into the mood. These are general tips that may not fit your circumstances. If you can't work it out in a few days, I would suggest going to your writing friend who knows enough about your story to help brainstorm. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-58478320580854302992015-02-28T10:11:32.376-06:002015-02-28T10:11:32.376-06:00When I have this problem I usually end up giving t...When I have this problem I usually end up giving the sidekick a POV, but without knowing your situation I have no clue what advice to give you. General advice is to find out what qualities you like in your sidekicks that the mc is missing. If you are having trouble with your mc, make sure you are letting your mc show you who they are instead of forming them. If you have a clear idea who your mc is, but still are having trouble you might be forcing your mc into a place they don't want to be. Still, this advice may be worthless because I have no idea the circumstances surrounding your story. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-3785803870346129682015-02-27T23:35:13.050-06:002015-02-27T23:35:13.050-06:00Making my main characters likeable is a huge probl...Making my main characters likeable is a huge problem of mine! I normally end up loving the sidekick much better. I wonder why, any ideas on how to make the main character the highlight?!Kathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17490915086874136250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-27708735837887429242015-02-27T23:22:52.514-06:002015-02-27T23:22:52.514-06:00I can totally sympathize. I always have this probl...I can totally sympathize. I always have this problem. I positively love so many of my MC's; to me they are the most amusing and fulfilling company. Yet when I tell others about my characters, everyone's like, "Mmh." Not impressed. Makes me wonder how they truly seem in my written words. If I convey them anything close to how I know them. It's actually a little bit sad. I feel my characters deserve to be loved by more than one person--besides each other, that is.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12331254068588265995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-84664478845779653142015-02-27T21:14:17.069-06:002015-02-27T21:14:17.069-06:00I've only started on my new story- just one go...I've only started on my new story- just one good sit-and-write so far - but the MC has got me worrying. I should weave in a fear or two to compensate for her over-confidence in herself. :) My last MC was SO unsure of herself, so I don't know how this one will work out, but we'll see. Thanks you for the post!<br /><br />http://teensliveforjesus.blogspot.ruSofia Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03703884443937255154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-43749602716732572282015-02-27T20:57:51.021-06:002015-02-27T20:57:51.021-06:00Do you have any advice on how to get past a I-know...Do you have any advice on how to get past a I-know-what's-going-to-happen-next-but-I-really-don't-want-to-write-it writer's block? In other words, I'm working on a story and I know what's going to happen next, but something is keeping me back from writing those scenes. Do you have any suggestions? Maybe tips on how to make it a little more interesting to write? Because if it's boring to write it's going to boring to read. Jesus Girl (aka Hannah)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15188623825301576640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4024721400572472213.post-63328455467606849432015-02-27T20:48:17.939-06:002015-02-27T20:48:17.939-06:00My favorite characters are the broken ones. The on...My favorite characters are the broken ones. The ones that have lost everything or have everything to lose, but they're brave through it all.Jesus Girl (aka Hannah)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15188623825301576640noreply@blogger.com