I am so thrilled to post this. I have to say, being a part of LitSisters has changed my life in the most amazing way. And we are starting 2010 off with a bang! Not only did our boutique publishing house, LitSisters Publishing, launch today, but we also were featured on the home page of [...]
The following four principles from the book THE FOUR AGREEMENTS by don Miguel Ruiz are great for personal use and for building heroes. Of course, you can create a fatal flaw in your protaganist, a truly despicable villian, or even a comedic character by messing with one or more of them.
1. ” Be Impeccable With Your Word” Opposite: Lie. Gossip. Manipulate.
2. ”Don’t Take Anything Personally” Opposite: Take offense at everything. Start fights.
3. ”Don’t Make Assumptions” Opposite: Don’t communicate your wishes clearly. Be passive-agressive.
4. “Always Do Your Best” Opposite: Be a slacker. Make excuses. Half-ass it.
Creating rules of conduct for each of your fictional characters is essential. That way you’ll know how Ralph will react to Patsy the prostitute, to getting fired from his job, to receiving a major inheritance. How a character thinks and behaves is integral to plot development and to character arc.
Anyone have a good synonym for character?
Define your characters’ principles or lack there of early in the process. Your story will flow much more smoothly if you do.
And don’t forget to have fun, that’s why we do this in the first place.
