Hi!Wow, Ive always

Chatterbox: Inkwell

Hi!Wow, Ive always

Hi!

Wow, Ive always wanted to chat but I didn't know how to until I came here, so yay~

I saw last month's Inkwell, and I'm really sorry that this is late, Leafy, but I got some random people to help me on advice about characters- they are something that I have considered a second element to a story, things that help it move along and teach us something about progress, whether it is character to element, or it is passed down from the writing to the reader themselves. JUST character is definitely not a good place to start- what I usually do is I pick a word that is interesting enough and can be used as a topic for my entire storyline (e.g. glass, diving, cultural foods, blah blah blah). 

First, it's not necessarily "flaws" that you want to give your character, nor do you have to focus on their small habits (for right now). You want to devise their purpose and stick to it; a confusing example is Prince Hans from Frozen- he really can't make up his mind on whether he is a villain or a savior, like sticking to Elsa when soldiers under his command raided her palace, or something like that. A main character needs someone (or something) to hinder and help at the same time.

Another point- traits. Let's say that I want to write a teenage girl who is really strong and agile like a monkey. Her strength shouln't be what defines her, it's her brawn-out determination or her impossible stubbornness. She is not an extra-strong arm, she's a person that grows with the words you read. Make them likeable, like give an edgy criminal comedy relief and you've got some pop- however, if you put humor, don't try to push it away- this is hard for me to describe in words, but it is difficult to drop it in a tense, emotionally strong situation and make it have the same effect elsewhere in the story. 

Moral: No one gets anything on their first try, so it's best to stay as organized as possible on your points that you want to convey- also, practice makes a really good writer someday, so keep writing!

submitted by Nima, age 14
(May 13, 2020 - 3:25 pm)

Welcome Nima! I'm Peregrine.  I think your advice on making characters is really good and I am going to try putting it to use.  Thank you for sharing!  I hope to read you around.

submitted by Peregrine, age Many moons, The Aerie
(May 14, 2020 - 11:08 am)

Admins, thank you for fixing my name mistake!  Hope you have a great day!

submitted by Peregrine, age Many moons, The Aerie
(May 15, 2020 - 4:37 pm)

Heyyy, welcome to the Chatterbox! And thank you for the advice! <3

submitted by Leafy, age No, not a cat
(May 14, 2020 - 1:16 pm)

Hi, Nima! Glad that you've joined. i'm Strawberri, the unofficial CB rambler. Anyway, enjoy the chatterbox.XD

submitted by Strawberri
(May 15, 2020 - 1:42 pm)