Julie Duffy's Blog, page 92
June 15, 2019
131 – Compelling Characters
Readers can’t love your story if they don’t love your character.
LINKS
https://storayday.org/creating-compelling-characters
It’s another new episode of the StoryADay Podcast
The post 131 – Compelling Characters appeared first on StoryADay.
June 13, 2019
Creating Compelling Characters
Plot happens outside, but story happens inside
Donald Maass, The Emotional Craft of Fiction
For people to love your story, they need to love (or love to hate) your character.
The most beautiful writing in the world, the most exciting action sequence in history, neither of these will make people love your story.
But a compelling character will steal their heart, sneak into their memory, and make them come back to your writing over and over again.
Wouldn’t it be great to have raving fans?
How do you make your character compelling without spending too many words tracing their inner thoughts? How do you balance character growth with action?
Step 1: Know Your Character
None of us step out into the world in the morning as a fresh new creation.
We walk out of the door with hang ups and passions and prejudices and ingrained behaviors, all of which come from a lifetime of having experiences and reacting to them.
Lisa Cron, in her excellent book Story Genius, talks about this brilliantly:
You have to know your character’s childhood damage, she says, and the protective behaviors they created. If you can set your story at a point in their life when those behaviors no longer serve your character, you have automatic conflict built into your story (and conflict makes stuff happen!)
Top Tip: do some ‘discovery writing’ about your character before you ever try to write the actual story. It will make your first draft go soooo much faster.
Resources:
The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman Psychology Workbook for Writers by Darian Smith Sacred Archetypes by Carolyn Myss
Step 2: Nobody’s Perfect
In our quest to make readers love our protagonist, we can forget to give them flaws.
But how do you give them a flaw, without making them unlikeable?
The best resource I’ve come across came from the podcast Writing Excuses, where they talk about playing with three different characteristics as if they were sliders on a mixing board. Your character can be competent, proactive, and sympathetic, but they can’t be 100% (or 0%) of all three at the same time.
Contractors say, “You have have a job done well, fast, or cheap. Pick two.”
At any one moment in a story, a character can be extremely competent, extremely proactive, or extremely sympathetic. Pick two.
And then play with those levels throughout the story. (Think about how Hermoine Grainger changes over the course of the first Harry Potter book. At the start she is the most competent and proactive of the three friends, but nobody likes her. By the end, she has given up some of that proactivity and learned to lean on her friends. She acknowledges that Ron is more competent at wizard chess, and lets Harry be the one to face the last big challenge…and we like her a lot more, for it.)
Top Tip: Playing with character competencies is a great way to make them more or less sympathetic without having to give them a ‘tragic flaw’.
Resources:
Writing Excuses episode on character ‘sliders’ The Negative Trait Thesaurus by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman
Step 3: Show Their Inner Conflict In Action
In critique groups I usually hear two opposing critiques of character, depending on the writer’s natural tendencies:
The writing’s beautiful but it’s a little…slow (translation: nothing happens!!) ORIt was very exciting…but I’m not sure why I’m supposed to care (translation: explosions and chases are great, but your character has no inner depth)
Whether you naturally write lots of action, or spend a lot of time dwelling on inner feelings, a good writer needs to be able to balance action and inner conflict, to create compelling characters.
One of the best ways to do this is to turn off the inner dialogue and show your character taking actions or interacting with physical objects that
Are symbolic of their inner struggleMatter to this character for a specific reason (which you know, and can reveal to the reader)Remind the reader of the stakes, without you having to spell it out.
For example, in the beginning of the movie Die Hard, a watch-word for action-based storytelling, John McClane picks up a picture of his happy family from a desk in his wife’s office…and winces.
In that moment (right before he gets embroiled in the explosions and flying bullets) the viewer remembers that this is not just a wise-cracking action hero. He’s a man who is losing his family and isn’t sure how far he’s willing to go, to put it back together.
That’s the question the rest of the film answers.
And it’s the reason we, as viewers, care.
Top Tip: Turn off the inner dialogue and give us a moment, filled with all five senses, where your character demonstrates their emotions, on the outside.
Resources
Die Hard (watch how the film makers slip in little actions that remind you of the inner journey of the main character, even as the bullets fly) The Emotional Craft of Fiction by Donald Maass Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint by Victoria Lynn Schmidt
Big Final Caveat
All of this kind of craft-based instruction is useful for developing your writing…but only if it doesn’t slow you down while you’re creating first drafts.
If you’re writing the first version of a story do not stop to worry about ‘showing not telling’ or whether your character is sufficiently proactive in this moment.
All of this can be fixed in the rewrite.
And one of the best ways to figure out what’s working and what still needs work in your story, is to show it to other readers.
Perhaps the idea of a critique group terrifies you. Or maybe you’ve been in groups in the past that were frustrating, or just ‘meh’.
If that’s you, I have a gift for you: a free guide to critique groups, including:
All the personality types you’ll encounter in a groupHow best to interact with eachWhat you need to know to to give and receive great feedback
Don’t waste time being afraid of feedback, any longer. It’s the single most important thing you can do to get your writing closer to the point where you can really begin to delight readers and build a raving fanbase.
Download the Critique Primer Now
The post Creating Compelling Characters appeared first on StoryADay.
June 11, 2019
[Write On Wednesday] Secondary & Background Characters
Short stories don’t have a lot of space for non-main characters, but if you’re going to include a best friend or comic relief, make sure they earn their word count!
The Prompt
Write A Story That Gives Your Secondary Characters Something To Do
Make sure everything they do relates directly to your protagonist’s goals.
Read more about how to achieve that in this prompt from the archives.
If you share you story somewhere (and here’s why you might not want to) post a link here so we can come and read it.
Leave a comment to let us know what you wrote about today, and how it went!
The post [Write On Wednesday] Secondary & Background Characters appeared first on StoryADay.
June 6, 2019
Writers: Burn Your Business Cards
‘Creative’ is not a noun…Lots of people want to be the noun without doing the verb. They want the job title, not the work.”
Austin Kleon, Keep Going
I read Chapter 3 of Kleon’s latest book this morning and it stopped me in my tracks.
Not because I didn’t know and understand what he said.
I have, after all, made a name for myself as the person who entices writers to actually write during May & September every year.
But because it made me wonder: am I actually doing the verb?
What Do You Do All Day?
Austin Kleon, in this short chapter in his short book, says if you focus on ‘being’ the job title, you might focus on the wrong things.
You might have cool glasses and a bunch of writer friends, but will you write?
If you focus on the noun, you may feel constrained to do the work in a certain way.
If you say you are a short story writer, what if you want to write a poem today? Is that allowed?
But if you simply say, “I write” you can focus on the work, however it comes out.
Do The Verb
Job titles aren’t really for you, they’re for others. Let other people worry about them. Burn your business cards if you have to.
Austin Kleon, Keep Going
We often struggle with saying “I’m a writer” because it sounds so much like a job title.
If we’re not making a living from our writing (and very, very few people do, especially not from creative writing), then it can be hard to say “I’m a writer”.
And that’s why I love Austin Kleon’s reframing of this.
A Slightly Scary Question
What if, instead of “I’m a writer”, we just said, “I write”?
I recently updated the StoryADay logo, and I was thinking about getting new business cards. After reading Austin Kleon’s comments, I was apprehensive.
What I would I put on my new cards, If I was being honest? What do I spend my time doing?
Julie Duffy: I answer emails (Bad)
Julie Duffy: I help other writers be more productive (Better).
Or do I have the courage to put, on my business card:
Julie Duffy: I write
Would that remind me to keep my daily promise that I will write creatively for the first 30 minutes of any working day? Not answer emails? Not fix things at StoryADay? Not find 1001 things that need to be done before I’m allowed to write?
Could You Say “I Write”?
Next time someone asks you what you do, could you say, “I write”?
(Even if you have to say, “I sell cars for a living, but really? I write.”)Now that the StoryaDay May challenge is over, would it be true? What would it take for us to be able to say that, without fear?
We’d have to commit to actually writing. (Not every day, perhaps, but certainly not ‘some day’!)
We’d have to do the work, play with words, allow ourselves to love it, no matter what.
And that doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
What will you do, today, to make sure you are doing the verb, not trying to be the noun?
What’s the next, smallest step you must take to be able to say “I write”? Get the free Keep Writing Workbook, to help you figure it out!
The post Writers: Burn Your Business Cards appeared first on StoryADay.
June 5, 2019
[Write On Wednesday] What A Character Wants
For today’s Write on Wednesday writing prompt, I’m digging into the archives.
This writing prompt, from 2012, talks about how to use your character’s desires to power a story and contains important tips on how to keep your short story from become a barely-begun novel.
The Prompt
Write a Story In Which Your Character WAAAAAAANTS something
If you share you story somewhere (and here’s why you might not want to) post a link here so we can come and read it.
How is your writing going, now that StoryADay May 2019 is over? Are you ready to write a story today? Leave a comment!
The post [Write On Wednesday] What A Character Wants appeared first on StoryADay.
June 1, 2019
131 – Celebrate!
A raw, mini episode to celebrate the successful conclusion of StoryADay May 2019
links:
Day 31: https://StoryADay.org/2019-05-31
SWAGr for June: https://storyaday.org/swagr-jun-2019/
It’s another new episode of the StoryADay Podcast
The post 131 – Celebrate! appeared first on StoryADay.
May 31, 2019
SWAGr for June 2019
Post your goals for this month and let us know how you got on with last month’s goals.
Leave a comment below telling us how you got on last month, and what you plan to do next month, then check back in on the first of each month, to see how everyone’s doing.
(It doesn’t have to be fiction. Feel free to use this group to push you in whatever creative direction you need.)
Did you live up to your commitment from last month? Don’t remember what you promised to do? Check out the comments from last month.
And don’t forget to celebrate with/encourage your fellow SWAGr-ers on their progress!
Download your SWAGr Tracking Sheet now, to keep track of your commitments this month
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Examples of Goals Set By SWAGr-ers in previous months
Write a story a day in May – everyone!Revise at least 10 short stories – IraideWrite two short stories. – JamiAttend one writers’ conference – JulieWrite fable for WordFactory competition – SonyaRe-read the backstory pieces I wrote in May and see if I can use them within my novel – MoniqueResearch the market – JamiFocus on my serial – Maureen
So, what will you accomplish this month? Leave your comment below (use the drop-down option to subscribe to the comments and receive lovely, encouraging notifications from fellow StADa SWAGr-ers!)
(Next check-in, 1st of the month. Tell your friends!)
The post SWAGr for June 2019 appeared first on StoryADay.
May 30, 2019
2019 Day 31 – Roll Call
This it! The end of StoryADay May 2019! You are an absolutely rockstar for being here today!
Do me a favor? Leave a comments below, and answer these two questions:
How many stories did you writeDid you meet your goal (or get close enough to feel proud of yourself)?
But don’t forget to write today’s story.
The Prompt
About A Writer
Normally I don’t encourage stories about writers because it seems kind of cheap (and uninteresting for the readers), but today I think you’ve earned it.
Use this prompt to write a story about a writer like yourself who has just undergone a big challenge.Or satirize the idea of writing about a writer.Or use it any other way that occurs to you. (And hey, it worked for Stephen King, so who am I to question it?)
Use all the tricks you’ve been practicing this month to show us what a day in the life of a writer can be.
Planning Ahead
You’ve achieved so much this month. I’m so proud of you.
To keep the momentum going, mark your calendars for these StoryADay events throughout the year.
Serious Writer’s Accountability Group (SWAGr) – 1st of every month (sign up for reminders here)Critique Week, June 21-27 – A chance to get your story reviewed by your peers and by me (more details coming soon)StoryFest, June 29-30 – where your stories take over the front page of StoryADay.org. Watch your inbox for detailsStoryADay September – wherein we do this all again! And your next chance to join Superstars for the rest of the year. Signups begin in August.Critique Week, October 20-17 – A chance to get your story reviewed by your peers and by me (more details coming soon)NaNoWriMo Support Group – for members of the Superstars group only.Critique Week, February 22-29 – A chance to get your story reviewed by your peers and by me (more details coming soon)And much more, including weekly writing prompts on Wednesdays, posts in The Reading Room, podcasts, interviews, and workshops.Use the StoryADay Events calendar to stay up to date
Go!
Don’t forget to leave a comment saying how many stories you wrote this month, and how you feel about it! Then come back tomorrow to record your June goals in the SWAGr post.
The post 2019 Day 31 – Roll Call appeared first on StoryADay.
May 29, 2019
2019 Day 30 – Switcheroo
How did you get on yesterday? Did you write a story?
Remember, set your own rules, and stick to them. If you miss a day, don’t try to catch up. Just keep moving forward!
The Prompt
Take a story you wrote this month and rewrite it, differently
Sometimes a story works better in a different point of view, or told in a different order. If there’s a story you wrote this month, that you liked, and wanted to get back to, use today to rewrite it in a completely different way.
This will ease you into the idea of rewriting and revising (something I’ll be posting more about in June).
Consider these options
Rewrite it from in a different voice (1st person instead of 3rd)Rewrite it from the perspective of a minor characterRewrite it without re-reading the original. Only write scenes/incidents that you remember. (When you compare them, if you find you’ve forgotten certain things, what does that tell you? Is it stronger or weaker without them?)
Go!
What did you rewrite about today? How did it turn out? Leave a comment.
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May 28, 2019
2019 Day 29 – The One
How did you get on yesterday? Did you write a story?
Remember, set your own rules, and stick to them. If you miss a day, don’t try to catch up. Just keep moving forward!
The Prompt
Write The Story You’ve Been Waiting To Write
I’ve been making you jump through hoops all month, but there has to be one story that has been nagging at you, patiently waiting its turn.
Today is that day.
Take everything you’ve learned this month, about
Setting limits to help you get to your writing deskCharacterConflictActionDescriptionDialogueOpenings & EndingsThe MiddleEmotionDifferent Story FormsWriting to a provided scenario/external prompt
Use your favorite discoveries from this month, to set your story free today.
Go!
What did you write about today? Did you use any of the lessons from this month? Leave a comment.
The post 2019 Day 29 – The One appeared first on StoryADay.
