Do You Plot With Your Character In Mind?


Creative Writing Tips -

You are plotting the story. You write down what will happen, what problems will arise, what obstacles you will place so the character won't reach his goals immediately, what he's going to do to overcome these problems etc?

So all these things will be happening to your character since it's his story we are telling.

Does it make sense then to have your character in mind as you plot these things?

It does. Because it will depend, based on the type of person he is, how he will face these problems, what he will feel, what he will think, what he will do.

Different types of personalities make up our world. Some people worry too much, so whatever problems come along, they will worry with the same intensity. Other people view the lighter side of life. Minor problems do not affect them as largely as major problems. To some challengers are welcome - they thrive on them. To others, challengers are viewed with fear and uncertainty.

As you're plotting the events of your story they have to correspond with the type of personality your character possesses.

What happens when you plot without thinking of your character?

He will act 'out of character.' He will do, say, think, feel things that don't suit his personality.

For instance?

If your character is a worrier and you place him in a situation where he doesn't worry, then that's making him act according to how you want him to act in your plot.

You're manipulating him to suit your plot - You're not writing with his personality in mind.

As you plot the events in the story, simultaneously build your character.

Cross-reference what you have written about your character and the situation he is in. Do they correspond?

About The Author

Besides his passion for writing, Nick Vernon runs an online gift site where you will find gift information, articles and readers' funny stories. Visit http://www.we-recommend.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Film School Rejects (blog)

'Underworld 4' on the Way With 'Shield' Scribe Writing
Moviefone
According to the Hollywood Reporter's Heat Vision blog, the task of writing the fourth film falls upon John Hlavin, best known as a writer and story editor ...
Underworld 4 being scripted by John HlavinComic Book Movie

all 25 news articles »


Parting Shot: Writing In Alexander for Biletnikoff Award
Kansas City Star
By Mike dearmond - Posted on 20 November 2009 Danario Alexander is not a finalist for the award given annual to college football's best receiver. ...



Analysis: Darwin vs. Genesis, a literary smackdown
Toronto Star
Genesis, it has to be said, is tough to beat as a piece of writing. It contains both the best of the wilderness, emerging over several generations from the ...

and more »


Film School Rejects (blog)

Mike White Writing New Christmas Comedy Called Santa Wars
Fused Film
Paramount and Scott Rudin are teaming together for a new Christmas comedy that will feature battling Santas. ...
School of Rock's Mike White Writing Holiday Comedy Santa WarsFirst Showing (blog)

all 9 news articles »


New York Daily News

Martha Stewart pans Rachael Ray's cooking - and cooking writing
New York Daily News
Stewart told ABC News' Cynthia McFadden that Ray's approach to cooking - and cookbook writing - is "not good enough for me." In her first TV interview since ...

and more »


MTV.com

Lauren Conrad Is Writing A Book On Style
MTV.com
And when Conrad isn't busy writing books or working on the "LA Candy" movie, she is spending her time designing her clothing line, LC Lauren Conrad, ...
Ex-'Hills' star Lauren Conrad is writing a style tips book. Chapter 1: Hire a ...Zap2it.com
Lauren Conrad is writing a style bookThe Skinny
Morning Round Up: Lauren Conrad to write a style book PLUS Leighton's latest ...Grazia

all 35 news articles »


Late mail on writing
The Age
He credits his mother for his love of reading and writing. She bore three sons in three years, and as her belly grew so did a line of Russian novels on her ...

and more »


Mpls. Teams Needs Help Writing Cinderella Story
KSTP.com
An inner-city youth football team that helped revitalize a Minneapolis park now needs the help of the community to write the ending to a true Cinderella ...

and more »


New York Times

Madison Ave. Sees the Writing on the Wall
New York Times
Jim Wilson/The New York Times The British advertising agency Mother will sponsor an exhibit next month in New York of the work of the ...

and more »


Cassidy: Former Silicon Valley CEO settles into the writing life
San Jose Mercury News
Writing is not Raffel's first career. Way back in the 1990s, he started Upshot, a No surprise then that Ian Michaels, the startup executive protagonist of ...

and more »

Google News

Home | Articles Site Map