I'm a published author and I can honestly say that in every book I've written, my characters have become real to me--they have done things that I wouldn't do or didn't expect, but when I get to the end I realize that their actions are truly in THEIR character.
For me, at the beginning of every book I try to force my characters to behave the way I think they should behave, but inevitably, they take over.
If your characters don't seem real to you, the author, they won't seem real to the reader. But characters that walk off the page, characters you would recognize if you pass them on the street--those are the ones readers remember.
2007-08-22 16:26:33
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answer #1
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answered by Allison Brennan 2
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There are definitely such things as "short novels." You might not want to hear it, but if your having trouble with the novel length and plot, I would go back continually to practice with your short stories. Being able to pull off a longer and longer short story will trim you up for the novel, until eventually, the novel form works for you. It's like training for a marathon. Vocabulary is something that I firmly believe can be improved only over time--with a lot of reading and writing. One can make some flashcards with common SAT or GRE words to help speed up the process. And books are sold with the aim of vocab. increase--with mini-quizzes, et al. But much of this won't sink in the same way that it will through reading immersion. On the bright side, I wouldn't worry too much about your vocabulary. A well-written book doesn't need a broad vocabulary. One can write well using all the words a ten-year old knows. Think about Hemingway--his syntax and vocabulary was quite simply; it was the execution of imagery and character and plot and language patterns that made for brilliant work. My biggest advice for now, besides "just keep writing," would be to read what some other great writers have to say in their book on craft. A few of my favorites: Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott On Writing, by Stephen King Writing Fiction, by Janet Burroway And if I could sum up much of what they say 1.) Write regularly, e.g., every day, at approximately the same time 2.) Don't listen to your "inner critic" until you are in the fine editing stages 3.) Have complex and active characters and 4.) Avoid cliches. Good luck!
2016-05-20 05:04:11
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answer #2
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answered by ? 3
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Yes. I have written a novel, (soon to be published) I found that my characters came to life, and grew as I wrote about them. I never understood before I wrote my own book, when authors said they were surprised themselves about the ends of their books. Things happen that you never plan to happen, and characters grow through the stories.
2007-08-22 15:22:25
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answer #3
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answered by Anonymous
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Not usually, but one character found himself in a situation and took a way out I had not considered. It surprised me to write it, but that was the way the character went. You know, that just sounds insane.....:)
2007-08-22 15:19:22
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answer #4
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answered by AllGrownUp 3
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Actually I'm in the process of writing a fantasy novel and am experiencing that very thing myself. It's certainly a unique experience, and one I wouldn't trade for the world. :)
2007-08-22 15:25:22
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answer #5
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answered by K.K. 5
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Many times. Ain't it great? That means you're doing it right. You have fleshed out your character and made them a real person. Their decisions and they way they respond are theirs not yours. That is how good writing works. Pax - C
2007-08-22 16:07:50
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answer #6
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answered by Persiphone_Hellecat 7
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well yes thats the thing about writing that makes you proud.
But mines also completely differrent aswell.
Firstly who ever I write or imagine about I always later picture its me,then the crazy thing is I really want to do it and sometimes act like her.Weird I know
and thats why I like Highschool musical it was actually something like that to happen to me in my Highshool the adventure well not really but the excitment! lol
2007-08-22 15:22:49
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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yes it was a very good one earned alot of points
2007-08-22 15:20:18
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answer #8
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answered by kin ogas 1
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