 Ever wondered how to keep writing a novel once you’ve started? Or how to keep going when you’re stuck? Then this post is for you.
I frequently have to create, whether I want to or not, because I write for a living. Whether I feel like it or not is irrelevant! On days when my head’s fuzzy, or I’m tired or have to work sick, I still try to be creative. This might mean I craft fewer sentences on a particular day. I might have to lie down a lot during the working day. I also get out into the fields near my house and ‘work’ while I walk. These things work for me, and they might for you. The following three things might also be worth trying out and they should help you to keep writing your novel. Give yourself small, achievable, writing goals. Taking the whole day to write fifty or a hundred words is absolutely okay. Give yourself a break! Then, on days when you can take on the world, go for three or four thousand. Stay creative. Whatever it takes. Make a point to do something creative every day. It could be writing, sketching, playing an instrument, cooking. It doesn’t have to be writing. Just create. Have fun. Enjoy your writing. Write without any specific purpose, from time to time. Try automatic writing, brain dumps, funny poetry, song lyrics, crazy short stories, a secret diary, or a blog based on your opinions or observations. Write yourself a letter to be opened in the future. Have fun! Always remember why you do what you do, and keep going. I know you can do it! JRx Did you like today’s post? Please ‘Like’ it, Tweet it, and Like my Facebook Author Page! Thanks!
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 A lot has been written about how to create good characters for a story. So, I’m going to make this guide more of a character creator checklist.
The aim of all best-selling writers is to build characters who are believable. That’s the same whether you want to create characters for a novel, a short story, a screenplay, a TV drama or a movie script. If you include the following elements, you will create strong characters who come alive on the page – even just using a few words! 1. Appearance - their face and features, head shape, hair, build, clothes and style, stance and gait (how they walk). 2. Communication - how they speak, tone of voice, how they use their hands, or greet someone. 3. Loves and hates – do they love tea but hate Coke? Love rain but hate the sun? Do they fear crowds? Why is that? 4. Relationships – who are their friends, who do they love, and who can’t they stand? 5. Experiences – what has shaped their character? Have they gone from poverty to riches? Did they live through a war? Have they suffered loss, or travelled the world? Script writers call all this a ‘back story’. 6. Responses – how does your person respond in different situations and why? Think: emotionally and spiritually as well as physically. In my 5fingers series of novels, I have created credible teenage characters like Rachel and Lake; rounded adults such as Caleb, Serena and Daniel, and villains such as Kumiko, Benson and Zed. With all of my characters, I’ve tried to develop them deeply, even if they only appear for a short time. So, watch people closely. Try to base your characters on real people. Ask loads of questions about your characters’ personalities. Put them in different scenarios in your head. And have fun! JRx Did you like today’s post? Please ‘Like’ it, Tweet it, and Like my Facebook Author Page! Thanks! |
