Characters Part Two

Do you ever have ideas for characters even when you don't have a story going for them? If so do you write it down to remember them?-- Jaysen27

Your question is really making me think here. I'm not sure that I never have a story that the character could be in. I usually have an idea of where they can come into the story or even in its sequel. Sometimes I might come up with a character trait I want to create a character with, and then in that case I do write them down.

Along those lines I did have a character without a book to be in. I was reading a story here on Wattpad and the main guy in it was cold and shut off. After reading the story I really wanted to write a character that was that way. I wanted to learn why he was like that.

When I read the prompt that led to Expiration Date, I knew it was my chance to create this character. He became the second character I introduced. His name is Erik, and he is one of the most important characters in the book. It has been amazing getting to develop and explore him and see him open up more as the story continues.

I think the reason why I usually have a story for them is because when coming up with a character and when you begin to know who they are, you get to discover a story. It works in reverse too.

I hope that answers your question and I hope my answer wasn't confusing. If it was, let me know and I will try to clarify more. Thank you for asking though. I really appreciate your question.

You can find more post on writing on my guide "A Need To Write" on Wattpad.

Characters

So my favorite part of writing is characters. Basically they are writers' imaginary friends. And if you're a published author you technically get paid to have them. I am probably going to do multiple parts on characters because there is so much to discuss when it comes to them. 

But where do we start?

Usually I come up with an idea for a character by starting with their personality. I then write a scene with them and they come to life from there. But if you want your characters to be deeper. If you want your readers to feel bad even for your villain you have to give them something that they love. It doesn't have to be a person or object. It can be a feeling. Maybe they love to live, and throughout the story they will fight for that right. 

Something else that is important for your characters to have is a secret. A character having a secret is an easy way to make them almost instantaneously deeper. 

What is the secret?

Why is it so important for them not to reveal it?

Is it there secret, or are they keeping it for someone else? If they are, why? What does this person mean to them? Are they blackmailing them?

See what I mean?

Characters are not why we start a story, but why we finish it. 

~~~~~

Remember to comment your questions.

The Beginning

Where does a story start? It starts long before the opening line, before the Once Upon a Time. A story doesn't necessarily start with an idea for a plot. The idea could come from an idea for a character. Maybe it's the antagonist. Or maybe it will come from an experience you had.

Never underestimate prompts. The idea for my story Expiration Date, which I wrote specifically for Wattpad, came from a prompt on Pinterest. I never could have imagined what this story would turn into, after reading only a one or two sentence prompt.

Maybe an object that you own will inspire you. Believe it or not, a blue necklace I own was the idea for another one of my novels.

Pay attention to everything, you never know when or where your next idea may come.

----------
Remember to comment your writing questions.