Five Things You Need to Know About Your Characters

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In the years I've been a publisher, I've found that even people who know they have been called to write stories for children and teens struggle with doubts and fears about their writing. I did, when I started to write! Who would want to read what I’d written? Was it any good, or was it rubbish? Who was I, to be a writer?

We all need tons lots of encouragement and support – and we need training too, to give us confidence in our skill – and that’s what Write for a Reason is all about.

Whether you are brand new to writing, or already well in to a story, I hope these writing tips will help you in your journey. Here’s something to set you off:

Five Things You Need to Know About Your Characters

The better we know our characters, the better we can share them with our readers. Whether you’ve already started a story, or haven’t yet begun, thinking about the following five points will help you get to know your characters better.

So get yourself a writing journal and a nice pen, and find a quiet spot to jot down some ideas for each of your characters, in each of the following categories:

1. Physical characteristics 
2. Temperament and personality 
3. Back story: what has happened in the past to bring your characters to where they are now? 
4. Current story: who do they live with? What are their hobbies? Where do they go to work/school/college? What do they love? What do they hate? 
5. Hopes and dreams for the future. This often gives our characters motivation to act.

Write as much or as little as you like – you may not use it all in your book, but it will make sure your characters are engaging for your readers.

Hope that helps! I’ll be back soon with another writing tip… in the meantime, keep writing, because only you can write your story.

Grace and peace,

Janet

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