#character development

[ocprompts]

how many Exes/Ex-Situationships does your oc have? Do they still talk or interact with any of them?

.

#oc asks #oc development #character development #oc questions #character asks #anon

[deception-united]

Writing Tips Master Post

Character writing/development:

Character Arcs

Making Character Profiles

Character Development

Comic Relief Arc

Internal Conflict

Creating Distinct Characters

Suicidal Urges/Martyr Complex

Creating Likeable Characters

Writing Strong Female Characters

Writing POC Characters

Character Voices

Plot devices/development:

Intrigue in Storytelling

Enemies to Lovers

Alternatives to Killing Characters

Worldbuilding

Misdirection

Consider Before Killing Characters

Foreshadowing

Narrative:

Emphasising the Stakes

Avoid Info-Dumping

Writing Without Dialogue

1st vs. 2nd vs. 3rd Perspective

Fight Scenes (More)

Transitions

Pacing

Book writing:

Connected vs. Stand-Alone Series

A & B Stories

Miscellaneous:

Overcoming Writer's Block

1000 Follower Special

Writing Fantasy

Character Ask Game

#masterlist #masterpost #writeblr #writing #writing tips #writing advice #writing help #writing resources #author resources #writer resources #creative writing #character writing #character development #plot development #narrative #book writing #writers block #writer stuff #writer things #deception-united

[gotham-at-nightfall]

A Song of Ice and Fire: Character Evolution

Arya Stark

Bran Stark

Jaime Lannister

Jon Snow

Sansa Stark

Theon Greyjoy

Tyrion Lannister

By GabKT

#a song of ice and fire #arya stark #bran stark #jaime lannister #jon snow #sansa stark #theon greyjoy #tyrion lannister #fanart #then and now #character development #deviantart

[this-acuteneurosis]

You know it’s funny, in the early days of this fic I was interested in everyone knowing about Leia at some point. I’m less invested in that now. And if I had to pick one person I don’t want to know at this point, it would be Anakin. In the early stages of your fic, I think it would have been a wake up call that would prompt some major character changes. But over the course of the fic, he’s grown so much I don’t think he needs that hurt. I think it’s very unlikely at this point that Vader would happen. It’s simply not necessary in my mind. And he deserves to grow without that shadow over his shoulder.

People I do want to know include Shmi most of all. To a lesser extent I’d like Padmé, Bail, and Obi-wan to know, though that has more to do with progressing relationships with those people. Other characters I’d be interested in the reaction for the lol’s, like Mace Windu.

So you’ve changed my mind on the subject, at least. Good job, lol

I honestly cannot tell you how much this comment excites me. As is pretty obvious from how far we've gotten in this story with Leia keeping her secrets, I'm very partial to the "do people really need to know" line of thought, for so many reasons. But I really appreciate this observation, because I think it really is at the heart of why DLB Leia doesn't wan't to talk about her past. Part of it is her fear and worry. But equally important to her is how telling the truth will impact the people around her. And there is so much of her history that can really only hurt people. She's very aware of that fact. And while, like you, there may have been a point where she wanted to rub Anakin's face in Vader's choices, she is also getting to a point where she wouldn't want to hurt Anakin specifically by bringing those choices us. Because they aren't his choices or his mistakes to bear.

I feel like I got to explore the idea of a reveal a lot last October when I ran the Tricks for Treats prompts. It was fun to think about doing the story differently for a bit.

#people are so kind #writing #character development #Anakin Skywalker #Don't Look Back

[daily-prompts]

prompt 2428

You're on a hike in a national forest. You decide to leave the marked trail and now you've gotten lost. You're about to panic when you see an animal of a kind that you've never seen before. It approaches you. Write the scene.

#daily writing prompts #fiction #writing #writing prompts #writing practice #writing inspiration #creative writing #character development

[treason-and-plot]

OC Deep Dive Questionnaire Tag

I was tagged by @anamoon63 and @bool-prop, thank you very much! I chose Mia because I miss her dearly and I need to zip over to Isla Paradiso and visit her ASAP!

Subject: Mia Nichols

What uncommon/common fear do they have?

Mia’s uncommon fear is another one of her lovers dying. Her common fear is that something happens to her mother, Nanette.

Do they have any pet peeves?

Cookie’s existence.

What are 3 items you can find in their bedroom?

Her signature vanilla body spray and loose tampons and condoms 

What do they notice first in a person?

Their sex appeal.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how high is their pain tolerance? 6

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure?

Mia is a fighter.

Do they come from a big family/are they a family person?

Mia is the only child of a single mother.

What animal represents them best?

Bichon frisé- because of her fluffy hair and friendly nature (unless your name is Cookie!)

What is a smell that they dislike?

The smell of overflowing ashtrays. When she was a waitress this smell always used to make Mia dry-retch.

Have they broken any bones?

She broke a couple of ribs while out surfing with her fiancé Luke one day.

How would a stranger likely describe them?

Blonde, bubbly and chatty with legs for days.

Are they a night owl or a morning bird?

A night owl. Mia does NOT like getting out of bed early.

What is a flavor they hate and a flavor they love?

She hates the taste of aniseed and loves the taste of potatoes deep-fried in goose fat.

Do they have any hobbies?

Sex, video games, watching soap operas, going to the movies, socialising, fantasizing about her wedding to Raj.

Boom, surprise birthday party! How do they react to surprises?

Mia loves surprises and would be thrilled! She detests routine and monotony. The more surprises life can throw at her, the better!

Do they like to wear jewelry?

Mia’s pride and joy was her engagement ring, which was lost during an altercation with a creep called David. Even though she still mourns its loss, it did enable her to move on from Luke’s death. But no other piece of jewellery has ever been so important to her.  

Do they have neat or messy handwriting?

Messy. Mia is self-conscious about her handwriting as well as her lack of literacy skills. She will go to any lengths to avoid her handwriting and poor spelling being seen by others.

What are two emotions they feel the most?

Excitement and desire.

Do they have a favorite fabric?

Not really, but Mia isn't into housework so any fabric she did prefer would be drip dry and non-iron.

What kind of accent do they have?

Mia was born in bred in Isla Paradiso, but it would be hard for anyone in Sim nation to discern a particular dialect or accent as coming from there.

I would like to tag @papermint-airplane @changingplumbob @windermeresimblr @streetlites @wannabecatwriter @profoundlyburningsimscollection and @stargazer-sims. No pressure ever, feel free to ignore!

#oc ask game #OC Deep Dive Questionnaire #character development #my ocs <3 #sims 3

[nocturnalazure]

OC Deep Dive Questionnaire Tag

A set of 20 questions to get to know your OC!

I was tagged by @anamoon63 and I thought I'd do Anh!

What uncommon/common fear do they have?

Public disgrace. She's very attached to her reputation and the way she's perceived. If people saw her as someone unreliable or worse, unethical, she would die of shame.

Do they have any pet peeves?

Self-entitlement and machismo.

What are 3 items you can find in their bedroom?

Figurines, video games and her bulky, wide frame glasses.

What do they notice first in a person?

The way they move and take up space.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how high is their pain tolerance?

Anh is quite sensitive but she's also determined not to show that she's in pain. I'd say it's a 7.

Do they go into fight or flight mode when under pressure?

Anh will FIGHT. Not to say that she's not scared, but if you pressurize her, her response will always be to defend herself.

Do they come from a big family/are they a family person?

She's not close to her mom (Fei is quite the opposite of whom Anh wants to be), and she's not particularly maternal or caring. But she's very close both to her dad and her sister, the first on an intellectual level and the second on an emotional level. The notion of 'family' is important to her, but she sees it more as a duty than as a support system.

What animal represents them best?

Anh is a hedgehog. Showing her spikes when teased, but actually cute and lovable once you get to know her.

What is a smell that they dislike?

She's disgusted by any body odor.

Have they broken any bones?

Nope. Hopefully that won't happen.

How would a stranger likely describe them?

Uptight and not accommodating. Seems smart but putting on airs.

Are they a night owl or a morning bird?

All members of the Wong family are early birds out of habit.

What is a flavor they hate and a flavor they love?

She's not a fan of acidic food and she's got a sweet tooth.

Do they have any hobbies?

She's a bit of a geek, so: video games, manga and anime. :) And birds. She loves birds and knows how to care for them.

Boom, surprise birthday party! How do they react to surprises?

No one would throw her a surprise birthday party. Seriously. She's not close enough to anyone besides her sister. Who would even be invited?

Do they like to wear jewelry?

She's got plain pearl earrings that she wears almost all the time. And cute, flower earrings for special occasions. She loves them but won't wear them too often because she doesn't want to be seen as girly.

Do they have neat or messy handwriting?

As expected, she's got a precise, clear handwriting. ;)

What are two emotions they feel the most?

Annoyance and determination.

Do they have a favorite fabric?

Not particularly, but it needs to be breathable.

What kind of accent do they have?

None.

I'm tagging @kimmiessimmies, @nekrophoria, @papermint-airplane, @heldhram and @danjaley!

#sims 3 story #oc ask #character development #anh wong #tagged

[physalian]

Exposition 2: Naming New Characters

This post is brought to you by one of the worst line deliveries in the history of Supernatural: Sam’s reveal of Ruby 2.0 in “Lazarus Rising”. Also a companion post to not playing The Pronoun Game.

—

Introducing new characters to a scene and figuring out the precise moment to announce their name without sounding clunky can be very tricky. So let’s break it down into three scenarios:

Name is known by the narrator to be given in narration

Name is either known by the narrator, to be given in dialogue, or known by another character

Name is not known to anyone in the scene but the new character

Scenario 1: Name via narration

Personally I don’t have any problem whatsoever with: “This is character, they do X.” It’s quick, inoffensive, and doesn’t need to get convoluted and over complicated.

Now, if this is meant to be a reveal to the audience, you’ll have to play the Pronoun Game for a bit until you pull the trigger (so long as it is motivated and reflects back on the characters and isn’t just because the author is bad at suspense), but I’d recommend reworking the scene so your narrator discovers this information with the reader for the lowest risk of confusing your audience.

Generally I think if you introduce a new character into a scene via epithet, then in the next paragraph have the narrator use their name, I think the audience is smart enough to pick up on: “new entity has arrived on stage = unfamiliar name must belong to them” so you can even skip the exposition tag entirely.

The cook returned from the dining room, freshly traumatized by a wild Karen. Tyler took a breath, steadied themselves, and resumed their station.

Scenario 2: Name via other character, or dialogue

This is the aforementioned Supernatural blunder. There doesn’t appear to be a clip for this specific scene on YouTube so the moment in question:

Ruby: [Walks in through the back door] “Getting pretty slick there, Sam. Better all the time.” Sam: [Sighs, and contemplates all his life choices that led to this moment] “What the hell’s going on around here, Ruby?” [Pause for dramatic effect and damn-near looks into the camera]

Ruby’s “Sam” is delivered seamlessly and is flavored with some dry wit, in character for Ruby.

Sam, on the other hand, not only pauses before saying her name, but emphasizes her name in a completely unnatural way. I didn't do it justice here explaining how clunky this is, just trust me.

Nothing sounds or reads quite so juvenile like awkwardly tacking on a new character’s name to dialogue when no real person would talk like that. The line serves purely as exposition and it’s glaringly obvious and uncreative?

How to fix? As I said in my other exposition post: Make it motivated. Have the name reveal come with either inflection, tonality, or dual purpose so it’s not just exposition.

Meaning:

Have speaker be trying to get the person’s attention, and call their name

Have the speaker admonish the person, using their name

If this is a happy reunion, have the speaker excitedly exclaim the name

If this is a bad reunion, have the speaker mutter, growl, whisper, or grumble the name

If this is a surprise reunion, have them speak the name like a question

Have the speaker use a nickname the new character doesn’t like, prompting a correction to their real name

Have the speaker blank, prompting the new character to supply it, while offended that they forgot

Have the known character introduce the new character after a few exchanges that isolate the narrator, prompting an explanation a la “Sorry, this is X, they’ve been my friend for years.”

Scenario 3: Name via new character

Very similar to above with the same advice: Make it motivated and double as clueing us in on something either about the new character, or about the characters’ relationship with the scene, or how they see themselves, or how they expect this meeting to go.

If they’re bold, sassy, or snarky, they introduce themselves like they expect their audience to be impressed

Or, if they expect that name to already be known, and are surprised or irritated that they must introduce themselves

Straight up, have someone ask them who they are if they’re not supposed to be there

Or have someone ask them in a social faux pas, blurting out the question and then being embarrassed by doing so

Have the asker be rude, demanding an introduction where it might otherwise not be appropriate

Have them introduce themselves with uncertainty, if they’re shy or unsure about where they’re supposed to be

You get the idea? Whatever it be, make it be in character, and you’ll pull double-duty (as most exposition should) both naming your character and immediately establishing a relationship between your characters.

Scenario 4: When plot demands you must wait

Bonus! This happens when asking for a name would ruin the pacing and be wildly out of place in whatever’s happening (like mid-fight scene), or the narrator is unable to ask for plot reasons.

In which case, this still can pull double-duty by having your narrator come up with their own way of identifying the person: maybe they come up with a cute or insulting nickname, or a unique feature stands out that they’re jealous they don’t have, or there’s an identifiable piece of clothing or uniform to call them by their profession (works well for a group of distinct unknowns), or they’re acting in a suspicious fashion and can be labeled with a derogatory adjective.

At which point, narrator can either sleuth out their name themselves or it falls into one of the previous three scenarios.

Point being, once again, you are establishing a relationship between these two characters as soon as they’re on page together. Your exposition is pulling double-duty.

#writing advice #writing resources #writing tips #writing tools #writing a book #writing #writeblr #character development #exposition #naming characters

[develop-your-villain]

You're stuck in a dark forest with no way to contact anyone you know, but you can summon one of your characters to help you out! Who do you summon and why?

#oc #character development #oc tag #original character #tag your oc #characters #story prompt #character prompt

[saraswritingtipps]

Good Traits Gone Bad

Exploring good traits gone bad in a novel can add depth and complexity to your characters. Here are a few examples of good traits that can take a negative turn:

1. Empathy turning into manipulation: A character with a strong sense of empathy may use it to manipulate others' emotions and gain an advantage.

2. Confidence becoming arrogance: Excessive confidence can lead to arrogance, where a character belittles others and dismisses their opinions.

3. Ambition turning into obsession: A character's ambition can transform into an unhealthy obsession, causing them to prioritize success at any cost, including sacrificing relationships and moral values.

4. Loyalty becoming blind devotion: Initially loyal, a character may become blindly devoted to a cause or person, disregarding their own well-being and critical thinking.

5. Courage turning into recklessness: A character's courage can morph into reckless behavior, endangering themselves and others due to an overestimation of their abilities.

6. Determination becoming stubbornness: Excessive determination can lead to stubbornness, where a character refuses to consider alternative perspectives or change their course of action, even when it's detrimental.

7. Optimism becoming naivety: Unwavering optimism can transform into naivety, causing a character to overlook dangers or be easily deceived.

8. Protectiveness turning into possessiveness: A character's protective nature can evolve into possessiveness, where they become overly controlling and jealous in relationships.

9. Altruism becoming self-neglect: A character's selflessness may lead to neglecting their own needs and well-being, to the point of self-sacrifice and burnout.

10. Honesty becoming brutal bluntness: A character's commitment to honesty can turn into brutal bluntness, hurting others with harsh and tactless remarks.

These examples demonstrate how even admirable traits can have negative consequences when taken to extremes or used improperly. By exploring the complexities of these traits, you can create compelling and multi-dimensional characters in your novel.

Happy writing!

#character traits #writing #writing tips #character development #writer on tumblr #writerscommunity #writer tumblr #writblr #writing advice #oc character #writing help #creative writing

[cityandking]

oc asks: not-so-nice edition

alone: How does your OC deal with loneliness? Have they ever been completely alone before? How do they act when there's no one around to see them?

betrayal: Has your OC ever been betrayed by someone they thought they could trust? Has your OC ever betrayed someone who trusted them?

bound: Has your OC ever been imprisoned or captured? What happened? How did they get out? Did the experience leave any scars?

break: What would cause your OC to break down completely? What do they look like when that happens? Has anyone ever seen them at their lowest?

desire: What's one thing your OC wants more than anything in the world? Are they open with that desire? Why or why not? What would they do to fulfill it?

failure: What's your OC's greatest failure? Have they been able to move past it? Does anyone else know about it?

fear: What is your OC's greatest fear? What do they do when confronted with it? Are they open with their fear, or do they hide it away?

future: What's the worst possible future for your OC? Are they taking steps to avoid that outcome? Are they even aware it's a possibility?

ghost: Who or what haunts your OC? What happened? How do they live with their ghosts?

guilt: What is your OC guilty about? How do they handle their guilt? Do they try to avoid guilt, or do they accept it?

hate: What does your OC hate? Why? How do they act towards the object of their hatred?

heartbreak: Have they ever had a relationship that ended badly? Experienced some other kind of heartbreak? What happened?

hide: What does your OC hide? Why do they hide it?

hunt: Who or what is your OC hunted by? A person, a feeling, a past mistake? Is your OC able to let their guard down, or are they constantly alert?

mask: Does your OC wear a mask, literally or figuratively? What goes on beneath it? Is there anyone in their life who gets to see who they are under the mask?

midnight: What keeps your OC up at night? Do they have nightmares? Fears? Anxieties? What do they do in the small hours of the morning when they should be sleeping?

mistake: What's the worst mistake your OC ever made? What led to them making it? Have they been able to fix it? How have they moved on?

monster: Is your OC monstrous in any way? Is there something that makes them monstrous? Are they aware of their own monstrosity? Do they accept it or reject it?

nightmare: What does your OC have nightmares about? How do they deal with their nightmares? Do they tell people, or keep it to themself?

pain: What's the worst pain your OC has ever felt? Do they have a high pain tolerance?

secret: What's one secret your OC never wants anyone to know about them?

skin: How comfortable is your OC in their skin? Do they grapple with anything that lives inside them—a beast, a curse, a failure, a monster? How do they face the smallest, weakest, most horrible version of themself? Are they able to acknowledge it at all?

torture: Has your OC ever been tortured? Would your OC ever torture someone else?

wound: How does your OC handle being wounded? Are their wounds mostly physical? Mental? Emotional? What's the worst wound your OC has ever experienced?

#whump #whump ask #oc asks #oc ask game #oc ask prompts #oc ask meme #ask meme #ask game #character asks #character development #mine; ask meme #meme resource #please feel free and encouraged to reblog! or to send asks but I probably won’t get to them til next week #now with minor edits for clarity!

[ocprompts]

what time does your oc go to sleep?

#oc asks #oc development #character development #oc questions #character asks

[tanaor]

Want quick tips to add instant chemistry to the relationships of your characters??

(🥳With examples🥳)

First of all, I want to say that you can also use most of them for platonic/ non-romantic relationships, so feel free to use this tips however you think they might work better in your story. So, without further adue, let's get to the tips!!!

Make your characters LISTEN to each other. Like, if A tells B they're not a morning person, B could make some coffee for A or lower the volume of their alarm.

This might sound quite obvious, but show that you characters care for each other. It might be as simple as one of them giving the other a glass of water when they feel a little dizzy, but it works wonders!

Make your characters physically close. When you are emotionally close to someone, you tend to be physically close too. But here is the thing. Make your characters react like it's second nature: "how would I not hug B when I haven't seen them in days?" or "Of course I'm gonna take A's hand when I feel insecure".

They don't have to be constantly thinking about each other, but when they do, MAKE IT MATTER!! For example, character A is out shopping, and they see B's favorite cookies. B didn't have a good day, and A knows that. But A also knows B is gonna fucking love the cookies, so they buy some.

Let them believe and trust each other. Also applies if one of them is a little distrustful: let your characters rely on one another, even if at the start they aren't as comfortable doing it. For a distrustful character, letting the other one help with chores might be a HUGE thing.

Other tips for writers: previous | next

#writeblr #writing #writer #writers #writers of tumblr #writers on tumblr #writerscommunity #original character #character development #character dynamics #main character #chemistry between your characters #writing tips #tips for writers #character tips #tips #creative writing

[deception-united]

Get to Know Your Character

Here are some questions to consider for character development:

What parts of their childhood trigger them?

How do they treat themselves when they're feeling sad?

What parts of themselves do they tend to hide?

How do they punish themselves when they make mistakes?

Who are they loyal to? Why?

Who do they avoid? Why?

What emotions or situations do they try to avoid? Why?

What angers them?

What are their insecurities?

What are their emotional triggers?

How do they feel about love?

What are their fears?

What is their relationship with their family like?

What kind of people do they tend to gravitate towards?

What do they like/dislike about themselves?

Happy writing ❤

#writeblr #writing #writing tips #writing help #writing resources #creative writing #character development #oc development #ask game #deception-united

[sepublic]

Lilith accepted that she wasn’t an inferior sister, and finally got recognized for what she could do.

Camila realized the way she was treated was wrong, and by loving her daughter, she got to love herself.

Hooty was a misfit among misfits, but was finally valued by the rest, and got another misfit as a friend.

Vee recovered from her trauma and didn't have to hide who she was, finding her own face without having to copy others.

The Collector learned they couldn't force friendship from others, and gained a better understanding of life.

#the owl house #lilith clawthorne #camila noceda #the owl house hooty #vee noceda #the owl house collector #character development

[daily-prompts]

prompt 2430

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were: any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee.

John Donne

#daily writing prompts #fiction #writing #writing prompts #writing practice #writing inspiration #prompt #creative writing #character development