Episode 112: Before you write (part 2, characters)

Notes:

In case you’re unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo, here is some information: https://nanowrimo.org/what-is-nanowrimo

Both Fable and the Verbivore mention a variety of methods for connecting with and developing characters, some they’ve discovered through trial and error, discussions with other authors, and through research. Here are some articles that look at character development and a few articles that touch on some of these methods:

https://blog.reedsy.com/character-development/

https://blog.reedsy.com/character-flaws/

https://blog.reedsy.com/character-profile/

Lessons from the Screenplay - The Soul of Good Character Design - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM3IQFgP-d8

Diane Callahan - Quotidian Writer - Creating Captivation Characters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrkY3WrJ_v8

Diane Callahan - Quotidian Writer - Writing Exercise: Fleshing Out Your Characters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwJGon94Sx4

Pixar in a Box: Character Development - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngZQUebMSEg

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/27/majority-of-authors-hear-their-characters-speak-finds-study

https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2018/12/14/writing-with-tarot-how-the-cards-point-the-way-to-your-story/

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/character-development-questions-to-ask-your-characters

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/how-to-make-ordinary-characters-compelling

https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/using-physicality-to-bring-your-characters-and-your-fiction-to-life

https://www.novel-software.com/character-questionnaire/

https://fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment.tumblr.com/post/50825149893/character-sheets-and-character-creation

The Verbivore references some of the legal aspects potentially connected with character development. First, when borrowing character attributes from another author, make sure you’re not infringing on someone else’s Intellectual Property (IP) and Copywrite as individual characters can be covered by this law. Second, when creating a character inspired from someone you know in real life, make sure that the elements and details you use aren’t readily identifiable as that specific person as this could open yourself up to a libel lawsuit. These are just good things to be aware of when you start writing. Here are a few articles on these subjects:

Protecting Fictional Characters Under U.S. Copyright Law - https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/protecting-fictional-characters-under-copyright-law.html

Protecting Your Stories -[Description of Copyright Law and the Protections in place for Authors] https://www.marklitwak.com/protecting-your-stories.html

When Art Imitates Life: Suing for Defamation in Fiction - https://www.dmlp.org/blog/2010/when-art-imitates-life-suing-defamation-fiction

Our friend and writer Jo Mercer is hosting a NaNo prep month on Instagram @jmercerbooks under the hashtag #nanoprepandwin. It has some great story preparation prompts and questions. If you’re preparing to write a new story, we’d highly recommend checking it out!

Books Mentioned:

- Elements of Fiction Writing: Conflict and Suspense by James Scott Bell

Music from: https://filmmusic.io
’Friendly day’ by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
Licence: CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)