Tag: How to write characters for a story

Writing Tips for Creative Fun with Characters

Writing exercised with characters

This post from January on how on writing tips for creative fun with characters was one of my most popular article this year. Enjoy!

I’m a character writer. I start with developing characters and getting to know them. Once I understand them as well as my kids, it’s time to throw them into a story. When my writing isn’t going well, I look to my characters to rescue the narrative. And to put the fun back into a story.

Fun Ideas for Characters 

Here are some ideas to write about characters for just the fun of it.

  • Create two very obnoxious characters. Then put them in a scene together.
  • Write from your pet’s POV, especially what it thinks of you.
  • Insert yourself in a scene with one of your favorite fiction characters like Sherlock Holmes or Bilbo Baggins.
  • Insert yourself in a scene with one of the characters you’ve created.
  • Reverse a famous hero-villain pair. For example, Superman terrorizes the world, and only Lex Luthor can save it.

Fun Ideas for Characters in Your WIP

If you’re writing on a deadline, you might not have time to write something outside of your WIP. So below are ideas to consider adding to your WIP, if you’ve found all the fun has gone out of your current project but you can’t step away from it.

  • Add a scene or two with your favorite supporting character.
  • Have two characters who don’t like each other meet.
  • Have your main character (MC) fight wither their closest friend.
  • Have your MC do something that’s outrageous for them.
  • Have your antagonist do something outrageous for them.
  • Bring together two characters who haven’t had a scene together yet.
  • Add a character who isn’t supposed to be in the story. For example, you decided you didn’t need your MC’s grandma in the story and sent her on vacation. Bring her back and see if she can fit in the story.
  • Write a scene that isn’t working from the POV of a different character.

What suggestions do have for writing fun with characters? For more character prompts, click here.

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Write a Backstory for These Characters

Character writing prompt

All my prompts this month for Monday Sparks deal with characters. When I was looking at photos for this prompt, this one leaped out at me. The two figures inspire so many questions. So my prompt today is to write a backstory for these characters.

What is the relationship between the little girl and the robot? The obvious one is that the robot protects the little girl. But what if we flipped it? What if the robot protects the girl only until someone tries to rescue her. Then it is programmed to kill her before that happens, Why?

Or maybe the girl belongs to a family that is protecting the robot. It stores the last program to fix a computer virus. And certain governments are after it.

Let me know how you’re inspired in the comments!

Find more character writing prompts here.

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Writing Fun with Characters

Writing fun with characters

Since this month is all about having fun with writing, I’m giving you ideas on how to have writing fun with characters. I’m a character writer. I start with developing characters and getting to know them. Once I understand them as well as my kids, it’s time to throw them into a story. When my writing isn’t going well, I look to my characters to rescue the narrative. And to put the fun back into a story.

Fun Ideas for Characters

Here are some ideas to write about characters for just the fun of it.

  • Create two very obnoxious characters. Then put them in a scene together.
  • Write from your pet’s POV, especially what it thinks of you.
  • Insert yourself in a scene with one of your favorite fiction characters like Sherlock Holmes or Bilbo Baggins.
  • Insert yourself in a scene with one of the characters you’ve created.
  • Reverse a famous hero-villain pair. For example, Superman terrorizes the world, and only Lex Luthor can save it.

Fun Ideas for Characters in Your WIP

If you’re writing on a deadline, you might not have time to write something outside of your WIP. So below are ideas to consider adding to your WIP, if you’ve found all the fun has gone out of your current project but you can’t step away from it.

  • Add a scene or two with your favorite supporting character.
  • Have two characters who don’t like each other meet.
  • Have your main character (MC) fight wither their closest friend.
  • Have your MC do something that’s outrageous for them.
  • Have your antagonist do something outrageous for them.
  • Bring together two characters who haven’t had a scene together yet.
  • Add a character who isn’t supposed to be in the story. For example, you decided you didn’t need your MC’s grandma in the story and sent her on vacation. Bring her back and see if she can fit in the story.
  • Write a scene that isn’t working from the POV of a different character.

What suggestions do have for writing fun with characters? For more character prompts, click here.

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