When we write novels, we often encounter situations where we feel very boring while writing. At this time, we will struggle with whether to continue writing.
In fact, the key to the problem is that the characters and plot of the novel you are writing cannot be organically combined and interesting. Dry and boring writing will naturally make you lose the motivation to continue writing.
In a story, the description of the characters and the arrangement of the plot are the most important. They mutually promote the development of the story.
A novel with distinct characters will not be an interesting work, and no matter how choppy the plot is, it will not be called interesting if the characters are pale and mediocre.
It is the characters that support the plot. To support a broad story, the characters must be fleshed out and fleshed out. This is like the foundation of a house. It is strong and wide enough to build tall buildings on it.
How to create such a character? Try these 13 tips:
1. Be good at conveying atmosphere and don’t rely on numbers and proper nouns
It is very important to describe characters without relying on numbers and proper nouns.
For example, when describing a person you meet for the first time, never write "This is a man, forty years old, office worker." This will cause the character to be too blunt and not fleshed out enough, and the reader will not be able to figure out whether the character is important. The character is still a walk-on.
Please try to conceive a specific image of the character in your mind, that is, create an atmosphere.
Let’s change the above example. Since it’s the first time you meet, you won’t know the other person’s age right away. You may have this impression:
The “atmosphere” of the character It is created through this information, and the description of appearance and clothing cannot do this. The key is to find words that can make the image of the character vivid and three-dimensional. You can try using an acquaintance as a model.
2. There must be a reason for the characters to appear.
There will be various characters appearing in the novel. Generally, there are male, female protagonists and villains. They are the main axis of the development of the story.
For example, when writing a villain, it is not enough to simply write a cruel and ruthless villain, because in fact there are both tragic villains and villains who do not want to do evil, but whose position forces them to do evil.
In other words, the characters who appear in the story must have a reason, rather than appearing suddenly out of thin air. For novels, this is crucial.
3. Pay careful attention to details
In dramatic performances, there is a system called "Method Acting".
When an actor gets a script, he knows the role he plays. For example, if your role is a white-collar worker who falls in love with the protagonist. At this time, you can't just read the script and memorize the lines. You must also create a life for your character that is not written in the script. For example, are your parents still alive? Are there any siblings? Is the family wealthy? ...
This is also called an actor's self-cultivation. For his own role, he can be more specific and realistic about details that are not written in the script.
The same is true for the characters in the novel. The more important the character, the more details should be done, otherwise it will be impossible to create a distinct and three-dimensional character image.
The ability to write a character that is lifelike and vivid on the page depends on whether the character has a distinct personality and seems to be truly living in your mind.
As long as this can be done, even a character with only one shot or no detailed description can make the reader truly feel that the character is vivid and alive.
4. Make the protagonist changeable
A life that is smooth sailing and lacks ups and downs is actually the most boring, and such a story will not be attractive.
The novel must allow the characters to change as the plot develops. There is no novel in which the protagonist remains unchanged from beginning to end. The protagonist will change as the plot develops.
< p> The storyline will cause other characters to change, and only through this process of change can readers become emotionally involved. It is very important to make readers respond to the emotions and emotions felt by the protagonist.Writing about characters is to let the protagonist encounter things that can make readers emotionally involved, and to accurately convey the protagonist’s feelings to the readers, making them resonate.
No matter what accident the protagonist encounters, if the reader cannot sympathize with the protagonist's feelings, they will only think that the protagonist is "really pitiful".
There is an essential difference between such novels and novels that can make readers cry along with the protagonist.
Therefore, when writing novels, you should always pay attention to allowing readers to invest emotionally in the story and the protagonist. A story in which the protagonist remains unchanged from beginning to end will not impress people.
When conceiving the plot, please pay more attention to this aspect and know how you want the protagonist to change. The so-called organic combination of character and plot is reflected here.
5. Create impressive and unexpected characters
What does it mean to leave a deep impression on readers? He is a surprising character.
For example, a character that readers always thought was a good guy turns out to be a bad guy. This is an accident. This pattern has been used frequently a long time ago.
On the other hand, "seemingly bad but actually good" can also be used. The person who made the protagonist suffer a lot turns out to be the protagonist's help. As for the truth, it can be fictionalized from all aspects.
This kind of "seemingly bad but actually good" setting can give depth to the story and leave a deep impression on readers.
6. Everything starts with observation
How can we create a charming character that leaves a deep impression on readers? The key is to observe, observe others, that's all. Any outstanding writer is a very clever observer.
When we are at work, in life, commuting to get off work, taking the bus, etc., we observe and imagine the people around us:
For example, whether the other person always wears the same clothes? Are you reading a book or listening to music, what is your job, married or single?
On the train after 11 o'clock in the night, people who have worked hard all day will become defenseless, and then you can get a glimpse of the essence of human beings.
Did this person get into the cold bed without even taking a shower after returning home, or did he change his clothes and go to the lively places in nightclubs like a different person?
Please try to imagine the other person’s life, background and other intangible elements. However, there is no need to confirm with the other person whether you have guessed correctly, so as not to be considered abnormal. In short, please keep observing and imagining as much as possible.
A better way to observe others is to look at the end of the other person's line of sight. By observing the line of sight, you can understand the other person's interests.
7. Describe strong emotions
Giving characters strong emotions is also a way to create characters. We usually use the expression "stunned" very naturally.
But when people really see something incredible happening in reality, how will they be stunned? This is in daily life. Often rare to see.
What expressions do people show when they feel strong emotions, such as anger, shock, or sadness? What kind of sound does it make? What words did you say?
For example, how would a mother react if she witnessed her child being involved in a car accident? Some people may not be able to help but think: Is it okay? Are you injured?
But in reality, the mother's reaction should be completely different, and she may not even be able to make a sound. If you have the opportunity, please carefully observe how people react when they are hit by strong emotions, and then try your best to imagine and write it out.
I will write this first today. Because there is a lot of content, I will write it in two parts, the upper and lower parts. Look forward to the next part.
Your support is the motivation for me to continue writing!
If you are too vague about how to improve your writing skills, you might as well take a look at these articles:
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