Thursday 6 June 2013

Character Trait Tips Part 2...


  Here's the second part leading on from the traits you picked. It could also help with the whole story and not just characters :)


   Show and don't tell!

   Every writer must tell the reader something but many (including me) find it extremely difficult at times not to go into full-on describing mode. You must fight off the temptation to list all of your traits and back story.

   'Fred moans a lot and he is very clever and adventurous, but he was very stuck-up too.'

  Quite boring to read, yes? Let's try again showing and not telling:

   '"No. The Mathers' Waterfall was discovered on the 24th June 1292 by Henry Mathers not on the 25th." Fred moaned to Jo, looking down his nose at her. "I've climbed up there myself quite a few times on our family holidays. We could never stay here for longer than a month without going crazy."
Jo rolled her eyes as her mind started to drift.
"Oh please listen to me once in a while." He moaned again.'

  There; Fred has moaned a lot at Jo, talked about his adventures on holiday, shown off his cleverness and his dialogue and actions have shown how stuck-up he can be. Much more interesting! :)

   Short but sweet I hope :) More to come later.

   Remember, actions speak louder than words :)

~White Ravens~

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