If it ain't got that...

4. One of the first and most enduring character building tools I’ve run across to date is the Character Profile Worksheet. This is a multiple page worksheet that you can either print out or save to a word document and fill in on the computer. It asks numerous questions about your character and allows you to build your character’s back story as well as identify character idiosyncrasies.

5. Creating a character that is the proper proportion of darkness, angst and pathos is a unique skill. One of the masters of the dark angst ridden detective is Rick Riordan. Not for nothing but he’s also a homeboy. To get an idea of how Riordan crafts his dark and mysterious Tres Navarre check out http://www.rickriordan.com/character_profile.htm

6. Along with Carol LaFever and Sue Viders, Tami Cowden has written The Complete Writers Guide to Heroes & Heroines:16 Master Archetypes which explores characterization of protagonists. Ms. Cowden’s website http://www.tamicowden.com/ includes more information on building and creating characters and endowing each with their own distinct persona.

a.Characterization
b.Archetypes
c.Craft

It don't mean a thing...

When was the last time you heard, build a better character and you'll have a better story? Well maybe you've never heard it put quite that way but no doubt you've heard that memorable characters are the cornerstone of a good story. Characters that take you by the hand or grab you by the scruff of the neck and don't let go until you turn the last page or the credits roll. Those character's who leave you wondering about their lives long after you've finished the story.

Building a better character:

I could share with you what I’ve learned over the years about building great characters but as you may have guessed there are some great articles and books available. Anything I can say to you about the process of building characters that are memorable, has been written about blogged about and encapsulated in novel form so many times that I do you a disservice by even attempting to add my two cents.

The only key that I will share is research. Research is your friend. If you’ve created a character, please take the time to make sure his or her credentials are solid. Whether your character is a CEO or gang member learn as much as you can about the type of character you are writing about. Read. Don’t assume because some gang members tag in your neighborhood or your brother-in-law is a CEO that you understand the subtext of the culture. Of course if you are a CEO or a gang member that’s probably all the research you need. Okay Maybe you don't have time for in depth, slog to the library research. Check out the website about.com. They have in-depth information on a variety of subjects. Here's another gem I've run across to speed up yoour research.Careers for Characters by Raymond Obstfeld and Franz Neumann.

Here are my Top 10 resources for character development.
1. Creating Unforgettable Characters by Linda Seger. Seger is one of the preeminent screenwriters and script doctorsat work in America. Her services to the Hollywood elite don't come cheap but for the cost of her book you have the benefit of her years of experience. Hers is one of the first books I picked up and is still a much utilized reference.
2. Creating Characters:Let Them Whisper Their Secrets by Marisa D'vari. This one of the more recent books that I have had the pleasure utilizing. D'vari takes a more exoteric new world approach to the task of character development. Her techniques not only helped me get in touch with character's that were hiding secrets but it helped me to whisper a few of my own.
3. Writing the Novel: From Plot to Print by Lawrence Bloch. His Matt Scudder books rank as some of my all time favorites. However, the first book I ever read by him was "Writing the Novel". It was one of those books that as you read you are inspired. The margins are filled with plot and character ideas that I still refer to.

I realize that this is only three of my top 10 but I've been going strong all day and tomorrow's another early day. What say we pick this up tomorrow. Have a great night all.

got inspiration

Need, passion, fire in the belly, unfathomable pain, compulsion; whatever it is that makes you write. Day after day, despite naysayers and odds, you rise to write. Whether you're looking to be published or just to improve your craft, I hope you find something here. The beginning seems a fine place to begin. I'd been writing a long time but never cleaved to the fact that I was a writer. Never trusting my voice, I let others dictate how I lived my life. I kept the stories inside me. Occasionally one would get out and show up in a magazine or a contest but still I saw that as an aberration. One of the first writing books I purchased that helped me to own my story and abide in my voice was Natalie Goldberg'sWriting Down the Bones. Even today, I can pull it off the shelf and it opens my mind in ways I never expect. Here are a few more texts that serve as ready inspiration when I find it hard to unwind and eradicate the days sludge from my psyche.
Wild Mind - Natalie Goldberg
How Writer's Work - Ralph Fletcher
Becoming a Writer - Dorothea Brande
Lively Art of Writing - Lucile Vaughan Payne
Aha - 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit - Jordan Ayan - This isn't a book about writing specifically. It allows you to free your creative spirit in other ways and it affects all your areas of creativity.

And away we go...

Welcome to Wordluv Writer's Resources blog. Perhaps the purists among you will take umbrage at my misspelling of love. But take heart, I promise I'm here to help. I hope to be able to share with you the jewels that I have found as well as get you in contact with publishers, literary agents, proofreaders and whatever else you will need to get your work in the hands of someone who can help. In addition, I hope to have some of my publisher and agent friends contribute from time to time. I invite you drop in, post, share something that has been helpful to you.


Looking for something fun, Wanna stretch those writing muscles. Check out our NeverEnding Story blog. Each month we will start a new story. Each post/comment will be a continuation of the story. Check it out now.