All Questions
Tagged with characterization or characters
1,239 questions
2
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is it too cliche to foreshadow a character's future using their given names?
in the book i'm currently working on, i'm thinking of using unconventional names (sometimes even words that aren't names) that are heavily symbolic and supposed to predict what they future should be.
...
- 104k
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2
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181
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What's the best way to visually sort data about characters?
I have a couple of characters that I want to group together on multiple pages. Each could be about different information.
Another example would be, with 1 page for each period of time.
Year 1: Alive:...
CommunityBot
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1
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103
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Is it possible to kill a character while in their POV? [duplicate]
I'm writing a fantasy book that has 4 main characters. While I was planning, I thought it would be interesting to kill off one of the characters. I was thinking about doing it whilst in said character'...
- 1,061
1
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4
answers
115
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Logical flaws with 1st person pov
Quick disclaimer: Sorry, if my phrasing is not accurate, English is not my first language (and the stories I write are not in English).
I am currently writing a short story that is giving me headaches ...
- 27.8k
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3
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77
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How do I accurately write a french character in America?
I want to include a character in a webcomic who moved from France to America sometime after college. He knows english and is mostly fluent speaking, reading, and writing, but I want to still show that ...
- 131
1
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1
answer
77
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Can the POV Change
So my question is if my POV can change like from one character (Ajax) to another character (his sister Storm) but it has their name at the top of each chapter so no one gets confused. Can I do that? ...
- 12.9k
5
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4
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934
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How to write Arabic in dialogue for an English piece?
I have a character who is a Syrian refugee to Canada. His first language is Arabic, but he's lived in Canada long enough that he's learned English and uses this as his primary spoken language. On ...
- 14k
-1
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3
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159
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Can I reuse my character?
So I have a character in one of many books I'm working on and I wanted to know if I can just reuse the same character in different books and media if I created said character but each one is different ...
CommunityBot
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1
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95
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How to write believable characters with deep motivations and strong voices?
I have two narrators for my story, both of them are polar opposites but they're best friends. The first one is a Victorian actress while the other one is a painter. I want to write a character that is ...
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-1
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2
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223
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Hello, so I'm writing a novel and I want to include a bunch of different skin tones and not seem rude, anyone got skin color names?
So far I have a few names like bastard-amber, latte and caramel skin tone names. Any names would be very helpful!
- 169
4
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6
answers
913
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How to write an Antagonist that is hot, manipulative, but has good reasoning for being the 'villain'?
I am writing a dark romantasy novel that I hope to publish. I have a character (the ML[male lead]), Ace, who is the prince of the shadow side. Ace is the son of the king and queen of the shadow realm ...
- 27.8k
2
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2
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259
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How do I accurately portray a character that has DID?
In a novel that I'm working on, one of the characters has dissociative identity disorder (DID), though this will not ever be explicitly stated in the aforementioned novel. I was wondering how to ...
- 4,198
2
votes
1
answer
1k
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How do I convey extreme speed to readers?
In my Urban Fantasy story, I'm trying to introduce and establish an antagonist with light-based symbolism. They're supposed to be the fastest character, referencing the speed of light. Every time they ...
- 104k
2
votes
6
answers
451
views
How to make my evil genius, evil and likeable?
I am working on a story from an 'Igor'/lab assistants' point of view. They work for a modern day 'Evil scientist', Dr Levo.
Igor has a good working relationship with Dr Levo.
I want the audience to ...
- 1,351
16
votes
7
answers
6k
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How should my protagonist refer to my male character who is 18?
I am writing a part where the sixteen-year-old protagonist meets a male character who is eighteen-years-old. I am not sure how to refer to him - boy or man.
The male character is legally an adult, he ...
- 1,351
17
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16
answers
6k
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Is there any point where an overpowered main character could be an interesting one?
I just read a novel where the main character is overpowered: he has unbeatable superpowers, many girls that are interested in him, enemies that get scared just by facing him, etc. I find it annoying ...
- 2,537
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0
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40
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Is my character too similiar to Jacks of the Hollow? [duplicate]
Okay so basically, the mmc of my story is a Fate named Nathaniel Thorn (name still tweaking).
Similarities
Blond
Tall
Fate
Cursed to never have happily ever after
Selfish, rude, etc
Fmc is true love
...
CommunityBot
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1
answer
89
views
How can you type 3 paragraphs about being prompt and present at school?
How can you type 3 paragraphs about being prompt and present at school?
CommunityBot
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2
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1
answer
88
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How to describe a character dealing with a betrayal from one of their closest friends?
The character who gets betrayed is my main character, who is practically left to die by her closest childhood friend. My MC is the type of character to wholeheartedly believes and trusts in her ...
- 354
1
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1
answer
81
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Why do people say putting a "." (full stop) inside "" quote marks is grammatically correct/right?
The question I'm asking is why people put a "." (full stop) inside "" quote marks, why is this grammatically correct/right for English?
From my computer coding knowledge, I think ...
- 14k
0
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3
answers
152
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Why do writers rarely use a name from another work even when it's allowed?
Why do writers rarely use a character name from another work for their original characters, even if it is legal (i.e. there is no copyright in names)?
- 14k
5
votes
2
answers
2k
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If my character has the same name as a character from another story, will the publisher tell me to change it?
If my character has the same name as a character from another story, will the publisher tell me to change it?
Whether the answer is yes or no, can you explain why?
7
votes
8
answers
3k
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When writing a tragic hero for a tragedy, do the readers have to sympathize with the characters?
I've been told that a tragic hero is a protagonist with a tragic flaw or a character defect that ultimately leads to their downfall and that the audience should sympathize with the character, even as ...
- 1,082
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1
answer
4k
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How to make my roleplay responses more lengthy/detailed?
How can I make my roleplay responses more lengthy and detailed?
For the recent months I've been roleplaying with several friends. our replies are normally two or three sentences. While I've shown ...
2
votes
2
answers
77
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Regarding the rule of introducing a narrative change of character with a new paragraph: Does this still apply if the action is minor?
I am editing a novel. I generally follow the widely endorsed rule of using a new paragraph when introducing a change in dialogue, action or subject.
However, would this still apply when said action is ...
- 13.7k
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1
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151
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When I am writing dialogue, if the character speaks childishly, would people think I am a bad author?
I am writing a novel right now, so I need some clarification for this.
When writing dialogue about a childish character that will grow and become more mature, will people assume I couldn't write ...
- 3,226
7
votes
7
answers
651
views
I'm looking for advice on character development
I'm currently working on a team based story with a lot of characters and am looking for ways to really make their personalities stand out from one another.
When I'm writing out their character ...
- 1,082
2
votes
3
answers
137
views
Showing that a character is unsentimental and arrogant
How do I make my protagonist appear unsentimental and arrogant in a matter of showing rather than telling?
- 9,338
-3
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3
answers
354
views
How do I portray therians in a way that's relatable and not weird?
I'm writing a story on therians, for therians themselves to enjoy and for people to understand them better, but it's turning out kind of weird. I was making this more for people to stop hating ...
- 11k
0
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1
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142
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I'm worried that people won't take my animation series seriously because of the fandom
I'm currently working on my own Indie animations series, Space Hazard, but don't know if anyone will take it seriously.
For the most part I was inspired by series like Murder Drones, Helluva Boss, The ...
- 23
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0
answers
35
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Is my oc too similar to a fictional character, if so, What can I do to change it? Will I get hate? [duplicate]
I have an OC that looks very similar to Nimona: same hairstyle (kinda), matching personalities, and lots of spike/studded accessories.
I'm afraid that my OC is too similar, and that I'll have to ...
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1
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95
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Where would I debate a character?
This isn't really a question for this site specifically. Does anyone know where I would be able to post an analysis of a character from a piece of pre-existing fiction on Stack Exchange? Specifically, ...
CommunityBot
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26
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6
answers
6k
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How to write a homosexual character, whose homosexuality isn't the point of the story?
I'm writing a modern fantasy novel, with a female protagonist whose principal romantic interest is another girl. How can I write her without having her homosexuality be the predominant aspect of her ...
CommunityBot
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3
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2
answers
130
views
Writing a believable, and sensitive depiction of a mixed race relationship as someone who is culturally unfamiliar
Like many other people I've found through researching the topic I'm trying my best to depict someone who is of Indigenous American decent without falling into any harmful stereotypes and insensitivity ...
- 2,796
9
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8
answers
3k
views
How can I make dialog sound like that of a six year old?
I'm a contemporary romance author writing a romance Christmas book.
The hero in my story has a six year old girl. There are lots of conversations with the six year old, but when I read my story back ...
- 4,198
1
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3
answers
135
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Character is called by their initials. Do I spell it out?
I have a character who is referred to by another character by their initials TP, do I spell it out (teepee/tepee/tipi) or just use the initials TP. It is supposed to add humour and show their fun ...
- 14k
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1
answer
113
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Tips on writing a transgender character?
I have a transgender oc, Rocky, born Rochelle. He's like eight. He doesn't know anything about LGBTQ+ people or that his twin sister Rosamie (Rosie) is a lesbian and has her own struggles and will ...
- 104k
4
votes
3
answers
298
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Pronouns for a character that body hops?
I'm currently writing a paranormal thriller novel where people can inhabit other peoples' bodies -- regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexuality. I'm currently in moral turmoil over how to use ...
2
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1
answer
963
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How do I tell if a relationship is becoming too toxic and how do I counteract this?
A key relationship I'm developing is a father-daughter like bond between my 17 year old protagonist (Nefeli) and my early-forties side protagonist (Cadoc). A common theme I expand on is that Nefeli ...
- 14k
5
votes
3
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1k
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Misleading readers on the motives/true personality of a character
My protagonist meets a Queen who is incredibly beautiful, acts very flirtatiously and is naive on most topics despite the fact she is a young adult. In short, she fulfils every stereotype of what a ...
- 2,124
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2
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164
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How to efficiently mislead readers and catch them by surprise
I am working on a murder mystery and want to mislead my readers and create a false sense of security for them as to who the murderer is, but I have absolutely no idea how to start.
- 14k
31
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5
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3k
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Avoiding repetition when there are two unidentified individuals
The tall figure was overwhelmingly tall. It stood in the corner of the
room. The skinny figure right beside him sat on a chair. It wasn't
moving at all. The tall figure moved to the opposite side ...
5
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4
answers
3k
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How do I use the 'Show don't tell' rule with a blind character?
I'm writing a story in a first-person format, where the main character is blind, and I'm struggling with the 'show don't tell' (SDT) rule. I was wondering if there was any way I could kind of work ...
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2
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487
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How to write a character with a bipolar personality?
I need some help. I am already deep into 2 stories that involve composers and in both stories there is a character based on Ludwig van Beethoven. Here is what I have trouble getting across:
Friendly ...
0
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1
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97
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Self-contained fictional narrative consisting of only about 150 words, and without conflict between the characters [closed]
The title describes the goal. Below is one attempt to achieve the goal.
My question: Can I say that there's no conflict between the characters, or is that just my opinion?
There's an obvious ...
- 14k
0
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1
answer
69
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How do I portray a character (child) that has had their consciousness spontaneously transferred to a different person (adult)?
In a screenplay I'm writing, one of the characters, a four-year-old girl, has her consciousness transferred into the body of a 25-year-old woman. How do I go about doing that? What is the mental/...
- 14k
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vote
3
answers
184
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In my polytheistic world, how should I prevent people fighting over which god to worship? [closed]
Remember when I set the protagonist, Berta Newton (Issac Newton's incarnation into isekai), as an angel? As the accepted answerer aptly said, people will be interested in her magics themselves, rather ...
- 9,338
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2
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103
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Can I write a character that does not technically exist? They are an alter identity(?) of another character
I’m currently planning my characters, and wanted to grab some opinions.
I’m planning to have three main-ish characters, where the third character is more of an alternate identity of the second ...
- 25.7k
7
votes
3
answers
942
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How can I fit a protagonist and his character arc to an existing world and plot?
I began my project with world-building. Afterward, I decided on the overarching plot, and now I'm trying to populate it with characters, starting with my protagonist. I've figured out his core driving ...
- 104k
4
votes
5
answers
343
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How to show a character with multiple personalitites?
To preface this, I have seen the question multiple personalities characters speech in text and I feel that my question is different enough, to warrant a separate question.
In my book, a character has ...
- 4,198