Character Names, Details, and Introductions: In our own work

We've been looking at how to select character details and introduce characters.  Today, we're going to select some concrete details for the main character of one of the stories we've been working on and then next week we'll try out some introductions. Let's use the main character from our human-rights-attorney story: Set in the mid 1950’s, … Continue reading Character Names, Details, and Introductions: In our own work

A Particular Character Detail: Choosing Names

As Nancy Kress says, "Characters have to be called something. And since they do, you  may as well . . . make your names contribute to world building, characterization, and plot development."  To that end, here's what the craft masters have to say about choosing character names. Is this post on names really necessary? Dwight … Continue reading A Particular Character Detail: Choosing Names

Character Introductions: How the Masters Do It

In the last post, we listed seven techniques to use when introducing characters.  Most of the masters use a combination of techniques. Here's how. Method 1: Out-of-Viewpoint Description In this method, the narrator (not a view-point character) tells us about the characters. JKR uses this method to introduce the Dursleys at the beginning of the … Continue reading Character Introductions: How the Masters Do It