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How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

Characters

Ten Writing Tips for Creating an Antagonist

June 13, 2017 by Kathy Steffen 36 Comments

If you think your protagonist is the most important part of your book, think again. Your story is only as good as your antagonist. Here are ten different ways to make an antagonist worthy of your protagonist and story.

Posted in: Antagonists, Characters, Writing Craft Tagged: antagonist, character development

In Defense of “Good Guy” YA Heroes

January 15, 2014 by KristiCook 6 Comments
YA heroes writing teen book characters

There’s definitely something going ’round the Young Adult writing world these days–the notion that the “ideal” YA male character (particularly the “love interest” or hero) is a “bad boy.”  You know, the super-hot boy with a smokin’ body and a bad attitude.  If you read a lot of YA, you’ve seen these YA heroes everywhere. … [Read more…]

Posted in: By Genre, Characters, Writing Craft, Young Adult Teen Tagged: characters, YA heroes, young adult

5 Tips for Writing Characters who will Intrigue Readers

April 26, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 5 Comments

When developing and writing characters, a writer’s number one goal is creating characters who will connect with and intrigue readers. Five Tips for Writing Characters Who Will Intrigue Your Reader Writing Characters Tips 1 & 2: Secrets and Lies One of the best ways to build conflict and suspense in your character and intrigue your … [Read more…]

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft, Writing Tips Tagged: characters, creative writing, writing tips

Character Goals: The #1 Thing Every Character Must Have

March 22, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 5 Comments

Character goals. Do your characters have them? Do you know? Do you ever sit down to the blank page and your characters do nothing? You get in the zone, but still, the scene goes nowhere? Are ideas dried up and the story has no place to go? Do your characters get into conflict (as they … [Read more…]

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft Tagged: character development, novel writing, writing tips

Character Creation Sheet For Developing Characters with Accountability

February 22, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 2 Comments
character creation sheet

Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction, giving your character accountability adds depth and will forge a connection between your character and the reader. Accountability helps give your character the “it” factor and shows your protagonist has depth and cares for something other than himself. With this in mind, I’ve created a list of writing … [Read more…]

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft Tagged: creative writing prompts, writing characters, writing muse
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Save The Cat!
by Blake Snyder

A book on screenwriting that is great for novelists too! Another must have for your How To Write library.

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