Character Presentation

Characters Exercise Definition: a formal character sketch or descriptive analysis of a particular human virtue or vice as represented in a person or type. Three types of Characters:
Protagonists- Advance the plot in relation to the side the reader is in support of.

Antagonists- Advance the plot in relation to the side the reader is not in support of.

Neutral- Do not advance the plot directly, but have other background purposes. Types of Characters 1. Make a person, not a plot device.

This mostly applies to main characters and main supporting characters
One dimensional = Plot device
Two dimensional = Stereotype/General archetype
Three dimensional = CHARACTER!!! The top 11 things to make your characters not suck! 1. Mary Sue-ing Examples: Bella (The Entire Cast of Twilight), Cinderella, Eragon, Wesley Crusher

2. Making the power/theme/symbol before the character

3. Falling into a stereotype that serves no purpose or just doesn’t work

4. Exception to the rule for no adequate reason.

5. Angst

6. Doing something because it is “cool” The Six Traps of Creating Characters Make a character file.
Should include: Name, Age(s), Race (if needed), Any pertinent information, Character Alignment, Family History, Skills, Hobbies, Fears, Dislikes, Positive traits, and negative traits.

Or Write a Paragraph Describing your Character.
Use as much concrete and abstract information as
possible. My definition of Character A character is a Cog in the machine of your plot. Every character is to have a purpose. If that purpose is not met or does not exist, the character must be repaired (Revised) or removed. Furthermore, Characters are people and exist beyond their function. They have hopes and wants, fears and worries. A fleshed out Character should be treated as a human being, almost as if they were real. You as their creator must treat them as such. There are also Three Levels of Characters Three types of characters

One-dimensional

Two-dimensional

Three-dimensional The ultimate goal of a Character is Evolution 2. Archetypes are not bad, but stereotypes are.
Some Archetypes:
Hero- Luke Skywalker
Orphan- Harry Potter
Best friend- Sam
Ruler- Elrond
Mother Figure- Fairy Godmother
Mentor- Dumbledore
Innocent- Rue
Underdog- Rocky
Double/twin/brother- Murtag
Messiah- Aslan
Scapegoat/sacrificial- Snowball
Temptress/enchantress- Succubus/Siren/Yuki-onna
Monster/ogre- Frankenstein’s creature
Villain- Maleficent
Trickster/jester- B’rer Rabbit
Devil- Mephistopheles
Scarecrow- Scarecrow from Wizard of Oz/Data from Star Trek/Pinnochio
Damsel-in-distress- Sleeping Beauty
Warrior- Aragorn
(You get the idea) 3. Keep them Complex, but not complicated
Snape
Initially antagonistic
Turns protagonist after the reader gains new perspective
Aragorn
Starts as a Ranger
Ends as a King
SECRETS are good for characters to have.

4. Give them a Backstory 5. Character Alignment 6. Goals 7. Dialogue
Keep it natural
Make good small talk
Every word has a reason to be written
Be clever and witty (Don’t try to hard to be)
KEEP IT NATURAL 8. Have both Approachable and Ideal Characters.
9. Have them CHANGE! 10. Revise

11. KILL!