Writers' Digest hosted a free webinar this past week given by suspense author and writing teacher James Scott Bell.
Bell has written several books on writing (see his website). The one I have on my shelf (and maybe you do, too) is Plot and Structure.
He has a new book soon to be released called Revision and Self Editing for Publication. The webinar was designed to showcase ths book and was all about revision. It was great!
I wanted to highlight just one brief tidbit of Bell's webinar--how to craft unforgettable characters. It's short, sweet, but very powerful.
So here is Bell's list of traits to give unforgettable characters. Keep them close by and use them to analyze your latest hero or heroine, to see whether you've created characters that jump off the page.
So, are your characters...
UNPREDICTABLE
WOUNDED
YEARNING
PASSIONATE--They have their blood boiling about something.
COMPLEX--inner conflict--This means emotional. Remember, readers aren't analyzing their way through your story, they're FEELING. So give them something to feel about!
RESOURCEFUL
GUTSY WHEN THEY'E CHALLENGED
Isn't this a great list?
Do you have any other traits to add?
For more on James Scott Bell, visit jamesscottbell.com.
