Creating Believable Characters
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- Marella
- Scribe4u
- moonstonewolf
- kellibrooke
- kellibrooke
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» Marella - Good article
//Unless you are dealing in sci-fi, fantasy, or personifying inanimate objects, your characters are real people//I liked the article, but I would point out that even if your character is a troll, an alien, or a dustmop, they're still PEOPLE. They may have a different value system, but they will still have hopes, dreams, desires, prejudices, etc. Otherwise, your reader will have no reason to identify with them.
-- posted by Marella
» Scribe4u - Re: Good article
In response to message posted by Marella:I agree that characterization is very important. I have read some works that were totally action-driven and though I wasn't fond of them, they do draw a large readership.
My favorite part of the writing process is getting to know the residents of my book or story and painting their feelings and personalities with words and I do draw upon the people in my life very often.
Good article !!
-- posted by Scribe4u
» moonstonewolf - I'm new here
Great article. I decided to read this as I'm suffering from writers' block at the moment and am therefore spending the time working on character development rather than sitting and staring at the screen or a blank piece of paper. I agree that it's the character's believability that makes the story. I draw upon my own likes and dislikes of the 60's campy sci-fi Lost In Space. Of all the characters on the show, I must admit that I liked Dr Smith best. Not because of his personality or traits, but because he was believable. I would believe that a person would scream in fright when encountering aliens than a 9 year old boy bravely killing a cyclops to save his father.Thank you for letting me say all of this.
MoonstoneWolf
-- posted by moonstonewolf
» kellibrooke - Re: Good article
I agree! There would be no reason for anyone to identify with them otherwise. But, you do have a little more lenency with them. You don't have to make them beleivable as a person, though as human writer of sci-fi, you are limited to a human point of view so that will come through in your characters no matter the specie. Thanx for commenting.
-- posted by kellibrooke
» kellibrooke - characterization
I am glad you both found the article useful. I agree with moonstonewolf that Dr. Smith is really cool as a character. Two of my favorite sci-fi characters are Data and Han Solo. I like them because they are believable for who and what they are. It makes them much more interesting and dynamic. Keep writing character studies. You'll find them useful later too. Writing Prompts #3 is coming out Wednesday. Maybe some of the prompts will help you out of the block.
-- posted by kellibrooke
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