5 Tips for Creating Memorable Characters
The most important aspect of a great fictional character is how much the reader cares about him. Some characters are lovable (Wilbur the pig, Bilbo Baggins, Anne Shirley), some are heroic (Odysseus, Paul Bunyan, Superman), some are tragic (Hamlet, Willy Loman, John Henry), and some are just plain evil (Iago, Saruman, The Wicked Witch of the West). The point is, we feel strongly about them one way or another.
Read More
5 Tips for Creating Memorable Characters
The most important aspect of a great fictional character is how much the reader cares about him. Some characters are lovable (Wilbur the pig, Bilbo Baggins, Pinocchio), some are heroic (Odysseus, Paul Bunyan, Superman), some are tragic (Hamlet, Willy Loman, John Henry), and some are just plain evil (Iago, Saruman, The Wicked Witch of the West). The point is, we feel strongly about them one way or another.
Read More
The Heroic Journey 7: 12 Traits of the Nemesis
Last week we looked at the Nemesis, or Evil One in broad outline. This week let’s take a look at some of the traits that go into a well-constructed bad guy:
Read More
The Heroic Journey 6: The Nemesis
Next to the Hero, the most important character in the heroic journey, the foundational form of all storytelling, is the evil one. The Nemesis. The bad guy. The villain. The character who keeps the Hero from getting what the Hero needs.
It’s one of the strongest rules of writing: Your story is only as good as your Nemesis is bad.
Read More
