Category Archives: Writing: Characterization

Delightful Workshop at Platte Valley HS

Posted on April 20, 2009 by dave

My last post has my general recommendations for the students at the workshop based on my review of their work. Well, Saturday I got to meet the students firsthand. My workshop was about creating characters. I showed the kids pictures … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing: Characterization | Leave a comment

Describing an Event

Posted on January 28, 2009 by dave

How do you like to describe events in your novel? By event I mean something that happens to further the plot. Let’s take an example. Your outline (you do have an outline, don’t you?) says that Jack, Mary, and Jane … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing: Characterization, Writing: Dialog, Writing: Style | Leave a comment

Whence Conflict?

Posted on January 21, 2009 by dave

In previous posts, I’ve talked about a necessary ingredient in your novel (indeed, in all fiction): conflict. So what should the conflict be? Sometimes it’s obvious, for example your novel on star-crossed lovers. Other times it may not be. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing: Characterization, Writing: Dialog, Writing: Plotting, Writing: Style | Leave a comment

My Scene isn’t Working!

Posted on January 12, 2009 by dave

You’ve honed your characters and written their bios and let their backstories consume your daydreams. The conflict is palpable. The plot is moving forward. But you’ve rewritten your scene to the point of wearing out your keyboard, and it still … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing: Characterization, Writing: Style | Leave a comment

Creating Characters

Posted on December 30, 2008 by dave

Chief Inspector Preston (a major character in Broom 3, to be released in early 2009) has a degree in criminology from Leeds City College. But that fact is never mentioned in the book. So how do I know it? The … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing: Characterization | Leave a comment