• Writing Business
    • Agents & Editors
    • Finding Writing Markets
    • Indie Publishing
    • Marketing
    • Market Trends
    • Quirky Links
    • Web Design
    • Writing for the Web
  • Writing Craft
    • By Genre
      • Romance
      • Young Adult Teen
    • Characters
    • First Pages
    • Grammar
    • Pacing
    • Plotting
    • Point of View
    • Revision
    • Scenes
    • Worldbuilding
    • Writing Prompts
    • Writing Tips
  • Writing Life
    • Author Interviews
    • Conferences
    • Critiques
    • Inspiration
    • Making a Living
  • Writing Tools
    • Book Reviews
    • eBooks
      • Dialogue More than Just Talk ebook
    • Online Writing Tools
    • Writing Software Programs
  • About
    • Contact
    • Regular Columnists
    • Privacy Policy
  • News
  • Services
    • Editorial Services
How To Write Shop

Articles on the craft and business of writing

character traits

Character Traits to Push Your Character into Interesting

January 11, 2013 by Kathy Steffen 5 Comments
get inspired to write

Characters without trouble who do no bad things (have no flaws) are boring. And will take your story nowhere. So what do you do? Push your character in every way that it counts.

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft Tagged: character fear, character flaws, character traits

Character Traits: Your Character’s Job

April 27, 2012 by Kathy Steffen 5 Comments
character creation sheet

What your character does is an important piece of who he or she is. Below are some writing prompts to help you dig into your character and find your story through your character.

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft, Writing Prompts Tagged: character traits, creative writing exercises, writing characters, writing prompts

The First Layer of Developing Characters

September 14, 2011 by Kathy Steffen 8 Comments

Developing characters can be a daunting task. Sure, you may start out with a character type in mind; you might see him, know his mannerisms, hear him speak. But how do you develop a character that stays authentic with his actions, motivations, and rings true with a reader? As a writer, how do you keep … [Read more…]

Posted in: Characters, Writing Craft Tagged: character traits, characters, creative writing, how to write

Tools For Developing Characters: Must-Haves for Your Writing Book Shelf

September 9, 2011 by Kathy Steffen 7 Comments

I’m going to share a few books that help me with the biggest and best part of my creative writing process—building characters. Take a look at these books and see if they have something to offer your writing process.

Posted in: Book Reviews, Writing Tools Tagged: character development, character traits, writing resources

Sexy Summer Cinema, What Makes a Romantic Hero?

August 19, 2011 by Bobbi Dumas 2 Comments
Book pages form heart

Okay, I admit it.  Along with being a romance novel fan, I’m also a romance FILM fan.  This summer gave us some great superhero movies that led me into a number of conversations with friends (writer and not) as to what makes a romantic hero. This year’s variations were perfect vacation-from-reality fare, with the requisite … [Read more…]

Posted in: By Genre, Characters, Romance, Writing Craft Tagged: character traits, movies, romance

Featured Book

The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
by Christopher Vogler

The Writer’s Journey explores the relationship between mythology and storytelling in a clear, concise style.

Want help plotting great stories that grab readers?

The Writer’s Journey is on our MUST read list.

Get at Amazon

Follow us on

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS

Or…

Get New Articles Emailed to You!

~~~

We collect, use, and process your data according to our Privacy Policy.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Articles:


Featured Book

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.

Get at Amazon


Find Us on the Web

  • Follow on Twitter Follow on Twitter
  • Like at Facebook Like at Facebook

Copyright © 2023 How To Write Shop.

Omega WordPress Theme by ThemeHall