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Creating Compelling Characters

Published on Aug 29, 2019

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PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Creating Compelling Characters

"My characters write my stories for me. They tell me what they want, and I tell them to go get it, and I follow as they run, working at my typing as they rush to their destiny." –Ray Bradbury

Character

  • A story highlights a break in what was supposed to be or what was expected to be
  • A story shows changes in characters, especially in their values or in their intentional actions
Photo by bealla

WORLD

  • World of the character: Where does this character spend a lot of time? How does that world affect the character and how does the character affect that world?
Photo by Ben White

ACTION

  • Action of the character: What does the character do during a regular day (routine actions)? What does the character do in pursuit of the goal shown in this story (exceptional actions)?
Photo by Shane Rounce

GOAL

  • Goal of the character: What does the character want? What does the character need (this is often different from the character's goal)?

STAKES

  • Stakes of the goal to the character: What bad things does the character think will happen if the goal is not reached? What makes the goal worth pursuing and grappling with the obstacles and confrontations put in the way of attaining that goal?
Photo by Ruud Onos

Fredricksen, J. E., Wilhelm, J. D., & Smith, M. W. (2012). So, whats the story?: teaching narrative to understand ourselves, others, and the world. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.