Character Development

Snoink Creator

Snoink Creator · Jul 30, 2006

Hehehe... Okay, I'm guessing that we already know who most of everybody is (and if we don't, then that's what the main forum is for, no?

) So we don't have to deal with that, which is good. You don't have to write an obligatory intro post!

But, since we are going to be dealing with your stories, then we'll want to know some certain specific things about you. For instance, what's your story about? So state what the genre is, what the link is (if you've put it on YWS), how fair you've written (or haven't written, lol!) so we can have a better idea on what we're helping you in. And then tell us what you hope to learn in this usergroup.

Sounds good? I thought so!

Okay... I better start.

I'm writing a story called FREAK which is a really weird sci fi. It deals more with character development for a plot instead of some grand excursion, which is weird, but has been giving me enormous inspiration for this usergroup.

It's about three-fourths done as far as the writing part goes (it'll be a monster to edit) and it's very... um... interesting to write.

My main hope/goal/whatever for this usergroup is to debate what makes a good character with other people with the same interests. And also, to help people understand how to write for a good character. Because face it: I love good characters in literature! ^_^

So that's me! What about you?

Hehehe... Okay, I'm guessing that we already know who most of everybody is (and if we don't, then that's what the main forum is for, no? ;)) So we don't have to deal with that, which is good. You don't have to write an obligatory intro post!

But, since we [i]are[/i] going to be dealing with your stories, then we'll want to know some certain specific things about you. For instance, what's your story about? So state what the genre is, what the link is (if you've put it on YWS), how fair you've written (or haven't written, lol!) so we can have a better idea on what we're helping you in. And then tell us what you hope to learn in this usergroup.

Sounds good? I thought so!

Okay... I better start.

I'm writing a story called [url=http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/viewtopic.php?t=2601&highlight=]FREAK[/url] which is a really weird sci fi. It deals more with character development for a plot instead of some grand excursion, which is weird, but has been giving me enormous inspiration for this usergroup. ;) It's about three-fourths done as far as the writing part goes (it'll be a monster to edit) and it's very... um... interesting to write.

My main hope/goal/whatever for this usergroup is to debate what makes a good character with other people with the same interests. And also, to help people understand how to write for a good character. Because face it: I love good characters in literature! ^_^

So that's me! What about you?

Poor Imp

Poor Imp · Jul 30, 2006

Thanks Snoink for the usergroup, firstly. ^_^ Who can get enough of characters? Hopefully, no one who writes.

Anyhow, I'm in a rather desultory bind at the moment writing something in a bleak future - sci-fi, I suppose. It's main difficulty is a certain character who talks (sometimes) but avoids any doing, and plot uncertain because of it.

It's mostly in fragments. 'Ought to be a short story before it's expanded beyond that.

Ah, to learn...? The community seems the important thing. I do more with fellow writers (or merely the few interested) to bounce things off of. And observing others in similar situations is always a learning experience.

^_^

zankoku_na_tenshi

zankoku_na_tenshi · Jul 30, 2006

Okay... mine is a fantasy story, I guess...

It's at viewtopic.php?t=9291

I've written chapter 1 and 2 but only have chapter 1 typed, and hence, posted. So that'd be like.... ah, I'm terrible with fractions... well, it's only the very begginning of a long story, but I know where it's going until almost to the end.

As for what I want to learn... mostly I really want to make my characters better, more developed individuals. I ended up giving up on a story that had reached about 200 pages once, just because I realized that i wasn't connecting with my main characters at all, and I never want that to happen again.

Meshugenah

Meshugenah · Jul 30, 2006

hi! *waves*

I um.. was writing a few differeny versions of a story called Linden, but I decided what i had written was utter crap, adn i still do, at least most of it. And it if wan't a bad character, it was a really horrific plot and or/written section. Some si posted here, Check under my profile, but it's not much. This was originally fantasy/sci-fi (whatever category fitted my mood at the moment, strike one). I then kept changing teh focal point (strike two). Then I change dcharacters completly and started over, and then realised I knew nothing abotu what I was writing (strike three).

Thus! My newest project is taking a few of the characters (whatever I called them last, eh.. well, mostly), and take this somewhere I can handle. Like a historical something.

My main problem? I can't seem to get a character. Literally. I'll make them up, and nothing. I'll keep changing personalities to fit them, it never works. So.. I admit I've been hiding in poetry for the last year, while playing with names adn personalities and then throwing whatever book I was using for names across the room.

hi!  *waves*

I um.. was writing a few differeny versions of a story called Linden, but I decided what i had written was utter crap, adn i still do, at least most of it.  And it if wan't a bad character, it was a really horrific plot and or/written section.  Some si posted here, Check under my profile, but it's not much.  This was originally fantasy/sci-fi (whatever category fitted my mood at the moment, strike one).  I then kept changing teh focal point (strike two).  Then I change dcharacters completly and started over, and then realised I knew nothing abotu what I was writing (strike three).

Thus!  My newest project is taking a few of the characters (whatever I called them last, eh.. well, mostly), and take this somewhere I can handle.  Like a historical something.

My main problem?  I can't seem to get a character.  Literally.  I'll make them up, and nothing.  I'll keep changing personalities to fit them, it never works.  So.. I admit I've been hiding in poetry for the last year, while playing with names adn personalities and then throwing whatever book I was using for names across the room.

Areida

Areida · Jul 30, 2006

I'm Ari! Shocking, no?

I've got two main projects on my plate at the moment.

The first is The Twelve Days of Christmas, which I've been working on for three years, if we're counting from the very first time it ever popped into my head. If we're counting since the first draft of the prologue, then closer to a year and a half. Either way, I'm quite fond of my characters, but not fond of my plot. So I kind of have a love-hate relationship going on with this story.

The other is one that's been in the making pretty much my whole life, since it's kind of a take on Snow White, but with four girls instead of one, since I'm injecting into it some of my own experiences with a crazy mother. I outlined the whole thing in three days, so now all that's left to do is write it. No big, right?

Cassandra

Cassandra · Jul 31, 2006

Cassandra here! (You couldn't tell from my username, right?)

So the idea for this novel casually walked into my brain, probably last October or November. I'd say it's basically mainstream/realistic fiction: the main character is a teenager who has been abused by their father since they were young, and the novel is basically about their recovery and their coming to terms with this. Plus there's tons of drama and teenage awkwardness along the way!

It's not on YWS yet because I'm horribly afraid of posting anything that's not finished *runs and hides in a corner*

Not sure the exact word count at the moment: I have written most of the story in a huge five-subject notebook. That is, until I decided to start outlining. The outlining has, of course, proceeded to take up my whole summer, but it's much easier to write if you know where you're going. But I'd say if I converted my written pages to typed ones, I'd have at least some sixty pages. That's pretty good, for me. Much farther than I've ever gotten on any other project, anyway.

I hope to learn to poke life into my characters so that they're not sodden little blobs of 2-D-ness.

Cassandra here!  (You couldn't tell from my username, right?)

So the idea for this novel casually walked into my brain, probably last October or November.  I'd say it's basically mainstream/realistic fiction: the main character is a teenager who has been abused by their father since they were young, and the novel is basically about their recovery and their coming to terms with this.  Plus there's tons of drama and teenage awkwardness along the way! :P

It's not on YWS yet because I'm horribly afraid of posting anything that's not finished *runs and hides in a corner*

Not sure the exact word count at the moment: I have written most of the story in a huge five-subject notebook.  That is, until I decided to start outlining.  The outlining has, of course, proceeded to take up my whole summer, but it's much easier to write if you know where you're going.  But I'd say if I converted my written pages to typed ones, I'd have at least some sixty pages.  That's pretty good, for me.  Much farther than I've ever gotten on any other project, anyway.  :?

I hope to learn to poke life into my characters so that they're not sodden little blobs of 2-D-ness.  :D

xanthan gum

xanthan gum · Jul 31, 2006

I'm Gummy. I have a fantasy story that one day I'll actually write - I have millions of disconnected scenes, and I never fill the space between. In any case, it's the characters that matter. I still have no idea how the story ends (I hope they tell me.) In this case, they are vital.

So I have a tempermental and selfish main character, surrounded by various other moody people. Too much hostility! They all have no chemistry! I can't get them to get along. And I have feelings for every character...but the main one.

Severe problems. Erm. help?

Sam

Sam · Jul 31, 2006

Well!

i've been working on Hourglass for...*counts fingers* 3 and a half years- but I've rewritten maybe four times since then, so it really doesn't count.

http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/viewtopic.php?t=9124

I'm about 10,000 words in on the first draft (thought it was longer but I recently did some editing). I love my chracters, but...

Two things I want:

- Chracters to be the best and weirdest that they can be.

- Characters that can handle drama without making me look young and inexperienced. (Because that's what I'm really afraid of- sounding my age. But certainly my characters can do the fun stuff for me).

EDIT: And- oh yeah! It's an alternative history. I think that's all.

Griffinkeeper

Griffinkeeper · Jul 31, 2006

I'm Grif, and I've been working on a fantasy story. It is still in R&D, but I'm beginning to put the plot together, without too many problems.

What I'd like to get out of this usergroup are these things.

1. Ways to show an evolution of my characters, not just the protagonist, but the secondary, teritary and antagonist characters.

2. Ways to show character in every person that is met, not just the important ones.

3. Determine realistic responses to certain situations for my characters.

It's a tall order, but it should be a good start for me.

Fishr

Fishr · Jul 31, 2006

I'm Jess. What? Why not use my name?

Many of, or most of you know, I'm a history fanatic, and my main focus is Pre- Rev. years (but I know a little about colonial America too), and the American Revolution, hence my novel - Bound for Glory: Our Brethren.

Uh... I've been working on it for almost eight months, and boy is historical fiction time-consuming.

I've currently written four chapters but let me just say, they're not short chapters! LOL! Snoink and Sam will back me up on that. On YWS, only two chapters are posted because chapter three is 'getting a makeover.' (Yes, I know. I should finish the novel before editing, but I couldn't help myself!)

As for learning - I'd love a solution how to silence characters, when I need them quiet. :lol:

Seriously though, I never know if my characters are developed enough, and I'd like help in determining what needs to improved with any of them. I seriously think I have a mental handycap. I can look at other writer's characters, and determine what needs to be changed but with myself, I have a hard time tweaking my own characters because I don't know what needs to be changed! So, I really could use help with retraining, like guidelines to follow when I'm writing or some advice in what to look for with my character's personalities. With critiques, I barely get any imput with character developement. It's usually me in that department, lol, when I'm the editor.

Also, we all have those complex characters. You know who they are. They're either secretive or barely chat at all with you, thus these chars make you work hard. The problem I sometimes have is, because these characters are complex, how do you get the buggers to talk with you? And what's the easiest way in prefecting a solid personality from a shy character?

Other than that, I think I'll like this UG quite a bit. I'm also not a complete stranger to character developement since I do analyze traits. :twisted:

Yes, I'm an evil, complusive writer, lol. But what I mean is, I hope to be of assistance too besides the beggar.

I'm Jess. What? Why not use my name?  8)

Many of, or most of you know, I'm a history fanatic, and my main focus is Pre- Rev. years (but I know a little about colonial America too), and the American Revolution, hence my novel - [url=http://www.youngwriterssociety.com/viewtopic.php?t=6522]Bound for Glory: Our Brethren.[/url]

Uh... I've been working on it for almost eight months, and boy is historical fiction time-consuming.

I've currently written four chapters but let me just say, they're not short chapters! LOL! Snoink and Sam will back me up on that. On YWS, only two chapters are posted because chapter three is 'getting a makeover.' (Yes, I know. I should finish the novel before editing, but I couldn't help myself!)

As for learning - I'd love a solution how to silence characters, when I need them quiet.  :lol:  Seriously though, I never know if my characters are developed enough, and I'd like help in determining what needs to improved with any of them. I seriously think I have a mental handycap. I can look at other writer's characters, and determine what needs to be changed but with myself, I have a hard time tweaking my own characters because I don't know what needs to be changed! So, I really could use help with retraining, like guidelines to follow when I'm writing or some advice in what to look for with my character's personalities. With critiques, I barely get any imput with character developement. It's usually me in that department, lol, when I'm the editor.

Also, we all have those complex characters. You know who they are. They're either secretive or barely chat at all with you, thus these chars make you work hard. The problem I sometimes have is, because these characters are complex, how do you get the buggers to talk with you? And what's the easiest way in prefecting a solid personality from a shy character?

Other than that, I think I'll like this UG quite a bit. I'm also not a complete stranger to character developement since I do analyze traits.  :twisted:  Yes, I'm an evil, complusive writer, lol. But what I mean is, I hope to be of assistance too besides the beggar.

Jiggity

Jiggity · Jul 31, 2006

Jiggity has arrived. Yes indeed. I'm working on my first--thats right, first ever--major work, Princess of the Blood. Now, as it is my first I'm a little lost. I'm used to writing short pieces of fiction. Writing a sustained piece is something I've never tried and always thought of doing, after school has ended.

It's a fantasy piece which is good and I dont expect it to be good, indeed a year from now I expect to look at it, think 'what the hell was I doing' then proceed to demolish and start rebuilding. But it'll be an accomplishment for me to write a long piece in the first place.

mystical*dragons

mystical*dragons · Jul 31, 2006

Okay...so most of my friends like to call me Waj (It's a short form of my name which is Wajeeha)

My novel basically revolves around a girl (whose name I've yet to decide) who has Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BBD). I'm not sure how many of you know what that is, so I'll go on to explain a bit of it. As the name indicates, this disorder leads the patient to believe that they have a supposed flaw on their face, or anywhere else on their body. I say, supposed flaw because if there is a real flaw then the patient is normally NOT diagnosed with BDD.

For example, a person may think they have severe acne problems, when in reality there's only minor acne on their face. Or they may think they have a receding hair line, when in reality they have perfectly thick hair. These people go through severe societal problems, and many of them stop dealing with the society at all and simply retreat into their homes for years. They also tend to go through a lot of painful surgical procedures which are not necessary. Okay, so I'll stop ranting now.

I'm still reading a book on this disorder, and doing research on the internet. I haven't started writing yet, because everytime I do so, I hate what I write and cross it out. Also, I'm having trouble as to how show my character's problems clearly yet subtly. My character is an artist, by the way, so I know she appreciates (worships) beauty, and so for some reason I'm aslo really scared how her dialogue is going to be.

Okay...so most of my friends like to call me Waj (It's a short form of my name which is Wajeeha)

My novel basically revolves around a girl (whose name I've yet to decide) who has Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BBD). I'm not sure how many of you know what that is, so I'll go on to explain a bit of it. As the name indicates, this disorder leads the patient to believe that they have a supposed flaw on their face, or anywhere else on their body. I say, supposed flaw because if there is a real flaw then the patient is normally NOT diagnosed with BDD.

For example, a person may think they have severe acne problems, when in reality there's only minor acne on their face. Or they may think they have a receding hair line, when in reality they have perfectly thick hair. These people go through severe societal problems, and many of them stop dealing with the society at all and simply retreat into their homes for years. They also tend to go through a lot of painful surgical procedures which are not necessary. Okay, so I'll stop ranting now.

I'm still reading a book on this disorder, and doing research on the internet. I haven't started writing yet, because everytime I do so, I hate what I write and cross it out. Also, I'm having trouble as to how show my character's problems clearly yet subtly. My character is an artist, by the way, so I know she appreciates (worships) beauty, and so for some reason I'm aslo really scared how her dialogue is going to be.

Snoink Creator

Snoink Creator · Jul 31, 2006

Hehehe! Never cross out what you write. It's funny to read later.

-KayJuran-

-KayJuran- · Jul 31, 2006

I've had a few different ideas for stories.. but seeing as they never get anywhere, and as I'm having *huge* problems with characters, I'm trying short stories at the moment.

Hopefully this usergroup can help inspire me enough so that I can get a proper story written.

Gannon

Gannon · Jul 31, 2006

To begin with, I merely have the outlines to stories that I intend on writing. Currently, I am focusing on the mythology and world building, due to the fact that all of these stories are going to be based in a fantasy environment. My goal is to make the mythological story of the deities or gods and then base my stories off of that. To be more specific, it would be kind of like history repeating itself.

For example: There is to be three factions of gods; Good, Neutral, and Evil. The origins of evil began when, after the gods created a race on the planet, they were embued with the power of emotion, his pride (a cardinal sin) overpowered all other emotions and he took six others with him. Therefore, within the story, I will be writing something related to that.

I am also toying with the idea of writing the mythology as a story unto itself, and then providing an excerpt at the beginning of the chapter which will subtley hint as to what the chapter will be about.

Currently, I am going to write a series of short stories for I have been emplored the task by my loving brother. These specific stories will be a simplistic way to play around with different plots that the main character, a Holy Swordsman, may be apart of. However, there is a broad scheme of a plot that just sets up what must happen at a given time. To give a for instance, this Holy Swordsman will encounter a Sprite, which will in turn join him on his adventure.

So that's what my intentions are. My brother and I have been playing around with the idea of having it made into a graphic novel, or perhaps a cartoon if either of us ever master Flash. The ideas we share are always grand and the outcome always seems worth it, but the actual process proves that it is a hard road to follow.

What I wish to get out of this usergroup is the observation of different members approaching the complexity of a literary character. I wish to offer my input and opinion when ever applicable and, if by chance my literature improves, all the more better.

Thanks for your time and hope you will further be interested once these stories will become a reality.

And with that, I take my leave.

-Gannon

To begin with, I merely have the outlines to stories that I intend on writing.  Currently, I am focusing on the mythology and world building, due to the fact that all of these stories are going to be based in a fantasy environment.  My goal is to make the mythological story of the deities or gods and then base my stories off of that.  To be more specific, it would be kind of like history repeating itself.

[b]For example[/b]: There is to be three factions of gods; Good, Neutral, and Evil.  The origins of evil began when, after the gods created a race on the planet, they were embued with the power of emotion, his pride (a cardinal sin) overpowered all other emotions and he took six others with him.  Therefore, within the story, I will be writing something related to that.

I am also toying with the idea of writing the mythology as a story unto itself, and then providing an excerpt at the beginning of the chapter which will subtley hint as to what the chapter will be about.

Currently, I am going to write a series of short stories for I have been emplored the task by my loving brother.  These specific stories will be a simplistic way to play around with different plots that the main character, a Holy Swordsman, may be apart of.  However, there is a broad scheme of a plot that just sets up what must happen at a given time.  To give a for instance, this Holy Swordsman will encounter a Sprite, which will in turn join him on his adventure.

So that's what my intentions are.  My brother and I have been playing around with the idea of having it made into a graphic novel, or perhaps a cartoon if either of us ever master Flash.  The ideas we share are always grand and the outcome always seems worth it, but the actual process proves that it is a hard road to follow.

What I wish to get out of this usergroup is the observation of different members approaching the complexity of a literary character.  I wish to offer my input and opinion when ever applicable and, if by chance my literature improves, all the more better.

Thanks for your time and hope you will further be interested once these stories will become a reality.

And with that, I take my leave.

[i]-Gannon[/i]

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