Source: Free Digital Photos by Simon Howden
With Nanowrimo almost upon us, I’ve been brainstorming a new story, while trying to frantically finish writing Cursecaster. I’m getting there. I have a rough idea for the new plot, the setting, and the world-building are starting to take form, plus there are the two main characters needing more development. With the recent course I did, I’ll be nutting out their Incorrect Core Beliefs, their backstories, their mannerisms, their individual goals etc etc… the list goes on. So to make the writing easier, I thought I’d do some research on existing character sheets to make sure I don’t miss out on anything.
My plan for this story is to plot out a lot of the details, events, turns, the black moment, including the characters, with a romantic subplot. (Just in case you’re curious – no, my story has nothing to do with sheep). I want to have a synopsis written before I begin writing the first draft. There’s a lot to do, but it’s all doable, if I stop slacking off…hehe.
Source: Free Digital Photos by Simon Howden
Anyway, as I’m knee-deep in sorting out the new story, I thought I’d share three cool character building sites I found that I know will come in very handy.
Character worksheets over at Adventures in YA & Children’s Publishing. There are also a number of links to other character creating sites.
Writers Store explains the secret to a great character – when I look at it this way, it makes so much sense.
Basics – Holly Lisle gives us the basics.
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I’d love to know how you approach your character creations? Are you participating in Nanowrimo?
It can really, really suck to have to create whole new characters–personalities, physical appearances, mannerism, etc.
Sounds like you have a lot to do to get ready for NaNo – but you’re very organized with links, plans and worksheets, so I think you’ll definitely have everything under control.
Thanks:)
Its going to be a challenging month for you I guess, but I’m sure you would enjoy it. I’m not a writer nor an amateur so I’m staying far from NaNoWriMo
I wish you best of luck in your writings.
Many thanks:)
World building and character creating is the fun part of writing! Try sitting your characters down and interviewing them.
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
Good suggestion… I’ve done that in the past and it paid off:)
Sounds like you’re almost ready! I’ll be doing NaNo too. I have some rough characters notes done, and the background of the world. Those are great links. Thanks for sharing.
We’ll both be ready to go…:)
I’m thinking about pounding out a short story regarding space vampires for Halloween. No big plan for nano though (aside from working on my sequel).
I like it… I want to know more about these space vamps
Yay for helpful links! Thanks! I’m not doing NaNo, but I WILL be writing up a storm!!! Good luck!
Sounds perfect…
This is perfect timing! I’m currently digging in to the world-building and characters of my new series/new book. While I don’t use a traditional method of profiling the characters, somehow it’s coming together. These worksheets are great. Maybe I’ll put all of my sporadic character thoughts into some semblance of organization now. Thanks!
Most welcome.
Thanks for the links! I’m always up for a character worksheet, but I’ve never tried to create a character without him already being there to tell me the answers. My characters seem to arrive whenever they feel like it, and then never leave!
I wouldn’t miss Nano for anything. It’s so much fun to write as much as I possibly can and completely lose myself in the story. This year I’m working on Book One of a trilogy. I wrote Book Two for Nano last year, and I have a few world-building issues that I’m hoping Book One will help me fill in.
Have fun with this! I’m looking forward to reading about your progress.
Best of luck with NaNo too… we can push each other along:)
Oh, I love a good worksheet:-) Good luck with your new story!!
Thanks.
I taking part for the first time this year. I am not preparing at all (I’m a pantser at heart), but the more posts like this I read, the more I realise I might just be setting myself up to fail! Good luck with it. And I might check out those links.
Just give it a go in a way that works for you:)
Just thinking about Nanowrimo makes me break out in hives, so no, I won’t be doing it! But I envy those who are brave enough who will do it! I double dare you to throw a sheep somewhere in your story…
Hmmm… I might just have to do that now… challenge accepted:)
Then you will be well prepared for NaNo! Now, no slacking. And glad it’s not about sheep. Not that I have anything against sheep…
Hehe… all I can think of now is that movie – Black Sheep…hehe
I haven’t decided if I’ll participate. I hope to be starting a new project around that time, but not sure I can handle the pressure of NaNo. I wish you luck.
Thanks:)
Thanks for sharing these! That character sheet is very extensive and I like what Bonnet there is saying about quintessence in heroes. I have enormous trouble writing solid characters. I almost always create settings first before characters start to emerge but I am recently seeing the benefits of starting with a character. It’s easier to situate them and get to to know them because you are exploring how they feel about a situation, which is useful.
My last NaNo rough draft is so terrible, that if I do NaNo again, it will have to be rewrite of my latest effort. I am thinking of using my rough draft as the road map and rewrite the whole thing because I did not plan it very well, and I have had time to see how I can improve it. So it’s a maybe on doing NaNo. I am moving house mid November so it will be difficult but I laugh in the face of difficulty. Cheers
I really liked the article about quintessence in heroes… makes so much sense. Best of luck with your NaNo.
Thanks for these links. I do voice journals and write as the characters before I begin a draft.
I’m not doing NaNo. Maybe another year.
Voice journals is a good idea.
Good stuff! I’ve been working on fleshing out my characters, too. I love that worksheet from the Children’s Publishing blog. Good luck getting ready for NaNo!
Thanks for the link to the Children’s Publishing blog… you encouraged me to get moving…:)