Do you have character?

Well maybe not you, but if you write fiction or plan to, your story needs characters. Maybe your storyline developed from a character you had in mind or vice versa. Whatever the case may be if your characters don't strike a chord and engage with the reader your storyline will inevitably feel flat.

Get to know your characters inside and out. If you don't know who they are and what makes them tick how can you expect your readers to. By building a vivid description of each character you not only get to delve into their world you have something to refer to as you write. This not only helps to ensure their eye colour won't change from blue to green it also helps to develop their backstory and motivations. Even knowing their likes and dislikes can help them develop into someone the reader can relate to.

Bringing your characters to life is an important part of the writing process so don't neglect them. Give your readers a reason to fall in love with the hero or despise the villain, but also remember that no-one is perfect. Give them strengths and weaknesses that could make or break them as your story unfolds.

Think of the characters that have inspired you to write, the ones you fell in love with or willed on to make it through to the end despite the odds being against them. If you take the time to get to know your own characters, your readers will get to know them know them too.

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