My theme this week is character type(s) and my CFT post also featured this but I thought a quick run down of tips would be useful.
- Be realistic. Your characters must have motivations that we will all understand, even if we don't agree with them all!
- Show flaws as well as virtues. None of us are perfect after all so why should our characters be? Besides they can get to learn from their mistakes.
- Stretch your characters. Don't be afraid to put them through hell to find out what they are really made of/are capable of.
- Let your characters surprise you, sometimes (don't overdo it!). A great example of what I mean here is Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings. Nobody expects in that wonderful world for a hobbit to be a hero, yet Frodo becomes one. Frodo shows a determination and courage others far bigger than him are not capable of (and yet he'd have failed completedly without Sam Gamgee's support). It would've been the easiest thing of all for Frodo to stay in Middle Earth and let someone else do the heroics.
- Weaknesses SHOULD get in the character's way and be something they're seen to be fighting against. And that, folks, is where the drama is! A great story has plenty of that!
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