The writing of many students is strong on plot but weak on character. This unit starts the story writing process from character, building it up until the characters write the story themselves. Many authors tell of how the characters guide the writing and object if the writer gets it wrong. Using anecdotes from the unit writer’s own novel, you will be guided to find your characters, get to know them so well they become real, and only then, start to write their story.

Choose your genre

Meet your protagonist

Enduring characters

Grab bag of people

Choose your time and place

Your protagonist needs family

Your protagonist needs people

Finding people

Grab bag of names

Now you need some conflict

This unit consists of a series of exercises, some long, some short, designed to take you through the process of creating a whole mob of strong characters who thrill your readers. But even before that, they will make the writing of the story so much easier.

So start with the first link, and start meeting an amazing group of people - in your imagination!

Meet your antagonist

An antagonist needs family

An antagonist needs a motive

Then they all must react

The plot is emerging

Up the ante

"Man with a gun"

The opening sentence

Write the story!

(c) content: Lynne Kelly, 2006

(c) format: EUMY Education, 2006