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Character writing

Protagonist examples: Creating memorable main characters

What makes a protagonist or main character interesting and able to carry an entire novel or series? Explore protagonist examples from classic and contemporary fiction below, including tips to make your main character memorable:

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Character writing

Good character flaws: Create complex antagonists

Good character flaws are key to a believable character. Flawed characters create suspense – we wonder whether their flaws will get the best of them. The imbalances in their natures may create weaknesses that give others the upper hand. Here are tips to create flaws for antagonists or villains (i.e. characters who stand between your main character(s) and their goals):

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Character writing

Character flaws: Creating lovable imperfections

Character flaws serve multiple purposes. Often, they’re the faults and shortcomings that create conflict between key players in a story. Yet flaws are also useful for creating attraction between characters. Without them, characters feel wooden, ‘too perfect’. Without them, attraction might seem too instant. Here are types of flaws that make characters interesting:

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Character writing

Creating villain motivations: Writing real adversaries

In fiction, villains come in all guises and disguises, from scheming rulers to domineering family members or peers. Learn how to write villain motivations that make sense:

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Character writing

Character motivation examples: 7 tips for clear motives

Believable character motivations drive all of literature’s most famous characters. Characters, like real people, have desires, wants and needs. They have motivations they’re aware of and ones they aren’t. These all impact the choices they make.  Here are 7 tips for creating character motivation:

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Character writing

Novel characters: 15 top character creation tips

Great novel characters share common features: Distinct, authentic voices, character development, clear goals and motivations, strengths and flaws. Here are 15 of our top character creation tips gathered from some of the best writing blogs and websites:

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Character writing

How to write a character unlike you

In this guest contribution by ESL teacher Ethan Miller, Ethan shares ideas for creating characters who are completely different from yourself.

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Character writing

Famous characters teach us about characterization

From Anna Karenina to Jon Snow, Don Quixote to Harry Potter, famous characters from fiction worm their way under our skin. Here are lessons from several memorable characters in classic and modern novels:

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Character writing

Inner monologue examples: Characters’ hidden lives

Internal or inner monologue is a useful literary device. Dialogue reveals character relationships, their converging or competing goals. Inner monologue gives readers more private feelings and dilemmas. Learn more on how to use inner monologue effectively

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