This is literally going to be a very short one this week. If anything it's something my professor told the class once that kind of stuck with me.
That being said, here are tips for *drum roll* :
That being said, here are tips for *drum roll* :
Obviously this is going to be a very anti-climactic post, compared to the last, more meatier ones, but I'm running low on writing tip blogs so we gotta stretch em' out!
1. Primary Characters
So these are the guys we've been talking about in the last two posts - Protagonists and Antagonists. They are the heart and soul of the performance, and, pretty much the main attraction for your readers. With that, we need to treat them as such.
Basically, I'm going to fast forward this quickly, you want to give your primary characters at least three (interesting) attributes. Hence, the "3" in 3D. (Not really, but it makes me sound well educated.)
For example, if you're going to make an interesting protagonist, don't just make him a waiter at a restaurant. That's just a lame set up. Instead, make your hero a father, a former pilot AND (currently) a waiter at a restaurant. By adding these extra attributes, you're now sculpting a more believable character. (You can even sauce things up by adding a 4th and making him an alcoholic!)
We, as human beings (and writers), need to remember that we're not just waiter's in life, but we juggle other occupations and duties as well. Students who are working part-time can attest to this - majoring in finance but rolling burritos on the side.
No matter what three, or more qualities you pick, just remember your characters will only benefit by more depth.
Basically, I'm going to fast forward this quickly, you want to give your primary characters at least three (interesting) attributes. Hence, the "3" in 3D. (Not really, but it makes me sound well educated.)
For example, if you're going to make an interesting protagonist, don't just make him a waiter at a restaurant. That's just a lame set up. Instead, make your hero a father, a former pilot AND (currently) a waiter at a restaurant. By adding these extra attributes, you're now sculpting a more believable character. (You can even sauce things up by adding a 4th and making him an alcoholic!)
We, as human beings (and writers), need to remember that we're not just waiter's in life, but we juggle other occupations and duties as well. Students who are working part-time can attest to this - majoring in finance but rolling burritos on the side.
No matter what three, or more qualities you pick, just remember your characters will only benefit by more depth.
2. Secondary Characters
You're probably going to see a pattern soon, but if you haven't guessed it - YES. These bad boys deserve only two qualities.
And yes, I know people don't have only two qualities in real life (well . . . maybe some do . . . ) but the reason for this is because your story needs to maintain FOCUS. Of course your novel needs supporting characters, but this isn't an all star cast. (Okay, I'm lying, because The Avengers/Gilmore Girls had multiple main characters and I enjoyed watching both.)
But unless you are a super pro at this sort of stuff (looking at you Joss Whedon) keep your first few novels centered around two or three main characters at max, and shine less light on the supporters. For example: 2nd Character Donnie is a waiter by day and a tap dancer by night.
THAT'S IT. NO MORE. IT GETS TOO COMPLICATED AFTER THAT!
And yes, I know people don't have only two qualities in real life (well . . . maybe some do . . . ) but the reason for this is because your story needs to maintain FOCUS. Of course your novel needs supporting characters, but this isn't an all star cast. (Okay, I'm lying, because The Avengers/Gilmore Girls had multiple main characters and I enjoyed watching both.)
But unless you are a super pro at this sort of stuff (looking at you Joss Whedon) keep your first few novels centered around two or three main characters at max, and shine less light on the supporters. For example: 2nd Character Donnie is a waiter by day and a tap dancer by night.
THAT'S IT. NO MORE. IT GETS TOO COMPLICATED AFTER THAT!
3. Tertiary Characters
So after googling what comes after "secondary," we make it to this last and final tip of the day.
Basically, your tertiary characters are "extras." Sort of like the people you see around you when you walk through your neighborhood - extras in your own little movie you call life. (Or at least that's what my parents told me.)
These people get the least description in your book and usually only have one, single defining trait - think Bane from The Dark Knight Rises . . . just kidding . . . think any extra from the Transformer's series whose single goal in life was to run away from robot monsters - I don't know.
All in all, you just wouldn't write paragraphs upon paragraphs about them and how they're dressed and how they like their eggs in the morning because you're writing a book not an encyclopedia. Also, it would just take too much away from your main characters.
Basically, your tertiary characters are "extras." Sort of like the people you see around you when you walk through your neighborhood - extras in your own little movie you call life. (Or at least that's what my parents told me.)
These people get the least description in your book and usually only have one, single defining trait - think Bane from The Dark Knight Rises . . . just kidding . . . think any extra from the Transformer's series whose single goal in life was to run away from robot monsters - I don't know.
All in all, you just wouldn't write paragraphs upon paragraphs about them and how they're dressed and how they like their eggs in the morning because you're writing a book not an encyclopedia. Also, it would just take too much away from your main characters.
4. Wrapping Up
That's pretty much it about forming supporting characters, and I hope it helps. And these are obvious more of guidelines than rules. Clearly you want to add realism and depth wherever possible, it's just a few tips I remembered in regards to maintaining focus in a novel.
That being said I hope you liked the post and get writing! I know your characters, big and small, are going to be awesome!
That being said I hope you liked the post and get writing! I know your characters, big and small, are going to be awesome!