Show Notes Episode 2

Character Development Part Two

Co-hosts: Cheryl McNeil Fisher and Dr. Kathleen P. King

Character Arcs
What changes have your characters made during your story?
What will your proposed characters do?

We know from our own lives that people change. As authors, we need to create the twists, surprises and vivid sweeps of transformation which capture readers. Youngsters, teens, young, mid-life, and mature adults all have unique stages, conflicts and opportunities for dramatic or gradual change. What will happen in the unfolding journey of your character? And how will you keep the arc moving?

Writing and Discussion
1 Select a character arc of someone you’ve read, or you’re developing.

2 Jot down notes about their development and the arc. Timeline, critical events, etc.

Traits
In your writing, are there character traits you find more or less universal? What do you find is necessary to make them come alive to your reader?
What do you find you need to include? Speech style? Accent? Specific jargon or word choices?
Mannerisms? Behaviors? How they walk, their gait?
characters. Enjoy the discussion and examples.

Revelation
How do we reveal character traits in our stories? What strategies do you use to weave them into our writing? Examples of techniques include metaphor, flashbacks, a journey, lessons, when they described described by others, etc. Think of your favorite work and consider what our authors suggest.

TRIVIA
What if you were to play trivia as your character? How many of these questions could you answer? Give them a try.
What is your character’s?

• Birth place?
• Occupation?
• Biggest secret?

Favorite or worst

• Pet
• Vacation
• Type of food
• Neighbor or friend
• Sport
• Hairstyle
• Technology
• Type of movie
• Music style
• Reading material!

Our authors have interesting insights from this activity.

RESOURCES WE MENTIONED
Story Planner Help-sheets at https://www.storyplanner.com/

Unique name generator https://blog.reedsy.com/character-name-generator/

Writers helping writers http://writershelpingwriters.net/

Text to speech resources – In addition to VoiceOver, etc.

• Total Reader (iOS app)
• Natural Reader (iOS app

Contact Information:

Podcast e-mail: WritingWorksPodcast@gmail.com

Website: https://writingworkswonders.com

Cheryl McNeil Fisher – Author, Keynote Speaker, Educator and Coach. Seminars and Workshops Adults and Children. https://www.cherylmcneilfisher.com/ Submit your work for publication on our site. Guest blogging, poetry, short stories at: https://www.livinginspiredfullyeveryday.com/

Dr. Kathleen P. King– Author, Author Coach, Speaker & Professor (Ret.). https://www.transformationed.com/ Interested in technology and adult learning? Check out Dr. King’s newest book from Wiley: http://bit.ly/King2017

Visit the podcast website for more episodes and resources: https://writingworkswonders.com

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