Dull, dull, dull!

I'm currently working on my first novel (yay!) And it's going along well. I enjoy my characters and my plotline. But I am having issues with those places in the story between the action. I need to develop my characters and how things happen where they are and how they learn and live and such. But I can't do it without making it dull, boring, unexciting. Any tips?

Basically it involves students at a school in a fantasy world with the level of technology being that of around the time of knights and kings and queens. (No electricity or running water basically, hah.) So if anyone has any ideas of I could bring a group of girls together in this Academy and reveal things about their characters without sounding all 'sally has blue eyes and red hair. martha doesn't like to swim.' then please let me know. Please!

P.S. And also some interesting time passing things I could add. That would be good too. I will love you all forever and ever if you help me!

Hiya!

Subplots are what I use when it comes to getting through the non-action parts. Character traits tend to come out pretty quickly when people are faced with something like talking to a crush or talking about a crush, in this case.

When it comes to character features, you can take this approach:

He closed his hazel eyes.
She brushed away the/her red hair from her face. (Where I put the/her you could use either one, but I prefer "the" because it's less repetitive)
I crossed my legs, looking at the leopard-print tights I was wearing.

^ That's usually what is used when describing a character slowly. It works for both first and third, although the facial descriptions and so forth usually read better as third, since it's more realistic. But, that's a hurdle you have to jump over.

When it comes to a fact like "Martha doesn't like to swim," have a scene where Martha is asked to go swimming and have her refuse because she doesn't like it. If she's the viewpoint character, have an internal monologue about why she doesn't like swimming. If she's not the viewpoint character, have a character ask her why she's not coming and have her say her reasons.

Time lapse can be cute. It really depends on your POV character. You can give a quirky, sarcastic summery of what happened, or a totally deadpan play-by-play of events. Up to you. ^_^

Hope that helped!

~Rosey

I have the same problem with my story, because I hate writing the in-between stuff. However, you need some more boring parts, but you don't have to make them so straight forward. You can do subplots, like Rosey said, or you can also do a basic scene that might happen during the day. For example, since these people in your story are at a school, you can go through a day of basic class, or lunch, or something, where many character traits can be brought out. To make it seem less random, though, you can add in maybe something they learn in a certain class that will come back into the plot later, or have a conversation that leads to something else. Slip in description as you go too.

Remember, you need to have a sprinkling of less action-packed (though not altogether boring) parts in your story, because after all, no one's life jumps from action scene to action scene. I hope I helped!

I agree: subplots are good. I read somewhere that you need to have three types of conflict in a story. I think they were called intrapersonal, interpersonal and extrapersonal. Anyway, whatever they're called...

Extrapersonal conflict is something you get a lot of in fantasy stories. Basically, it's the bad guy/forces ganging up on all the "good" characters, and they have to work together to defeat him/her/it/them to save the day. Extrapersonal conflict generates big action sequences, life-death situations and is usually the focus of the climax.

Interpersonal conflict happens when "good" characters have disagreements or fights with each other. These tend to be subplots in fantasy, although in other genres (eg. romance) may be the main plot. Interpersonal conflict can fill gaps, add depth to action scenes, and develop characters. It also causes disunity among the good guys, perhaps allowing the enemy to strike or weaken them.

Intrapersonal conflict is one person having to make a hard decision. It can occur between action scenes and during them (for example, deciding what to do when the bad guys strike).

I think that interpersonal and intrapersonal conflicts add to action scenes because often, extrapersonal problems (eg. a dragon attacking) can seem to be viewed from a distance. Other types of conflict give a more personal view and tend to complicate things, making for a more interesting plot. If two characters are arguing with themselves or each other while fighting an enemy, it's more personal and immediate.

Hey!
Yeah, I've had this same problem too and it can be very worrying! :/

What people don't realise is sometimes when you're reading a story, it's nice to have a break from all the action. When you get back to the very interesting stuff, it suddenly seems way cooler once you've calmed down a bit and can take it all in properly. Just thought I'd point his out.

Another thing you mentioned is that you want to show how a character looks without simpley saying it.
An example of telling:
Sally had blue eyes and blonde hair.

An example of showing:
Sally's blue eyes gleamed as she brushed her silky blonde hair.

See the difference? You're conveying the same information, but you do it through the character's actions/ feelings etc.

Hope I helped
PM me with any questions
xxmimixx