Questions tagged [characters]
Questions that involve people in a work of fiction, including character development, motivations, design, points of view, and representation.
1,239 questions
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is it too cliche to foreshadow a character's future using their given names?
in the book i'm currently working on, i'm thinking of using unconventional names (sometimes even words that aren't names) that are heavily symbolic and supposed to predict what they future should be.
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Is it possible to kill a character while in their POV? [duplicate]
I'm writing a fantasy book that has 4 main characters. While I was planning, I thought it would be interesting to kill off one of the characters. I was thinking about doing it whilst in said character'...
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Logical flaws with 1st person pov
Quick disclaimer: Sorry, if my phrasing is not accurate, English is not my first language (and the stories I write are not in English).
I am currently writing a short story that is giving me headaches ...
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Can the POV Change
So my question is if my POV can change like from one character (Ajax) to another character (his sister Storm) but it has their name at the top of each chapter so no one gets confused. Can I do that? ...
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How do I accurately write a french character in America?
I want to include a character in a webcomic who moved from France to America sometime after college. He knows english and is mostly fluent speaking, reading, and writing, but I want to still show that ...
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How to write believable characters with deep motivations and strong voices?
I have two narrators for my story, both of them are polar opposites but they're best friends. The first one is a Victorian actress while the other one is a painter. I want to write a character that is ...
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Hello, so I'm writing a novel and I want to include a bunch of different skin tones and not seem rude, anyone got skin color names?
So far I have a few names like bastard-amber, latte and caramel skin tone names. Any names would be very helpful!
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How do I convey extreme speed to readers?
In my Urban Fantasy story, I'm trying to introduce and establish an antagonist with light-based symbolism. They're supposed to be the fastest character, referencing the speed of light. Every time they ...
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Can I reuse my character?
So I have a character in one of many books I'm working on and I wanted to know if I can just reuse the same character in different books and media if I created said character but each one is different ...
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How to write an Antagonist that is hot, manipulative, but has good reasoning for being the 'villain'?
I am writing a dark romantasy novel that I hope to publish. I have a character (the ML[male lead]), Ace, who is the prince of the shadow side. Ace is the son of the king and queen of the shadow realm ...
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Is my character too similiar to Jacks of the Hollow? [duplicate]
Okay so basically, the mmc of my story is a Fate named Nathaniel Thorn (name still tweaking).
Similarities
Blond
Tall
Fate
Cursed to never have happily ever after
Selfish, rude, etc
Fmc is true love
...
user67825
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Why do people say putting a "." (full stop) inside "" quote marks is grammatically correct/right?
The question I'm asking is why people put a "." (full stop) inside "" quote marks, why is this grammatically correct/right for English?
From my computer coding knowledge, I think ...
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Why do writers rarely use a name from another work even when it's allowed?
Why do writers rarely use a character name from another work for their original characters, even if it is legal (i.e. there is no copyright in names)?
user66536
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If my character has the same name as a character from another story, will the publisher tell me to change it?
If my character has the same name as a character from another story, will the publisher tell me to change it?
Whether the answer is yes or no, can you explain why?
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How can you type 3 paragraphs about being prompt and present at school?
How can you type 3 paragraphs about being prompt and present at school?
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Regarding the rule of introducing a narrative change of character with a new paragraph: Does this still apply if the action is minor?
I am editing a novel. I generally follow the widely endorsed rule of using a new paragraph when introducing a change in dialogue, action or subject.
However, would this still apply when said action is ...
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When I am writing dialogue, if the character speaks childishly, would people think I am a bad author?
I am writing a novel right now, so I need some clarification for this.
When writing dialogue about a childish character that will grow and become more mature, will people assume I couldn't write ...
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I'm worried that people won't take my animation series seriously because of the fandom
I'm currently working on my own Indie animations series, Space Hazard, but don't know if anyone will take it seriously.
For the most part I was inspired by series like Murder Drones, Helluva Boss, The ...
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Is my oc too similar to a fictional character, if so, What can I do to change it? Will I get hate? [duplicate]
I have an OC that looks very similar to Nimona: same hairstyle (kinda), matching personalities, and lots of spike/studded accessories.
I'm afraid that my OC is too similar, and that I'll have to ...
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Character is called by their initials. Do I spell it out?
I have a character who is referred to by another character by their initials TP, do I spell it out (teepee/tepee/tipi) or just use the initials TP. It is supposed to add humour and show their fun ...
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Tips on writing a transgender character?
I have a transgender oc, Rocky, born Rochelle. He's like eight. He doesn't know anything about LGBTQ+ people or that his twin sister Rosamie (Rosie) is a lesbian and has her own struggles and will ...
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How do I tell if a relationship is becoming too toxic and how do I counteract this?
A key relationship I'm developing is a father-daughter like bond between my 17 year old protagonist (Nefeli) and my early-forties side protagonist (Cadoc). A common theme I expand on is that Nefeli ...
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How to efficiently mislead readers and catch them by surprise
I am working on a murder mystery and want to mislead my readers and create a false sense of security for them as to who the murderer is, but I have absolutely no idea how to start.
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Showing that a character is unsentimental and arrogant
How do I make my protagonist appear unsentimental and arrogant in a matter of showing rather than telling?
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Misleading readers on the motives/true personality of a character
My protagonist meets a Queen who is incredibly beautiful, acts very flirtatiously and is naive on most topics despite the fact she is a young adult. In short, she fulfils every stereotype of what a ...
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Where would I debate a character?
This isn't really a question for this site specifically. Does anyone know where I would be able to post an analysis of a character from a piece of pre-existing fiction on Stack Exchange? Specifically, ...
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How do I use the 'Show don't tell' rule with a blind character?
I'm writing a story in a first-person format, where the main character is blind, and I'm struggling with the 'show don't tell' (SDT) rule. I was wondering if there was any way I could kind of work ...
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Writing a believable, and sensitive depiction of a mixed race relationship as someone who is culturally unfamiliar
Like many other people I've found through researching the topic I'm trying my best to depict someone who is of Indigenous American decent without falling into any harmful stereotypes and insensitivity ...
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Self-contained fictional narrative consisting of only about 150 words, and without conflict between the characters [closed]
The title describes the goal. Below is one attempt to achieve the goal.
My question: Can I say that there's no conflict between the characters, or is that just my opinion?
There's an obvious ...
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How do I portray a character (child) that has had their consciousness spontaneously transferred to a different person (adult)?
In a screenplay I'm writing, one of the characters, a four-year-old girl, has her consciousness transferred into the body of a 25-year-old woman. How do I go about doing that? What is the mental/...
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In my polytheistic world, how should I prevent people fighting over which god to worship? [closed]
Remember when I set the protagonist, Berta Newton (Issac Newton's incarnation into isekai), as an angel? As the accepted answerer aptly said, people will be interested in her magics themselves, rather ...
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Can I write a character that does not technically exist? They are an alter identity(?) of another character
I’m currently planning my characters, and wanted to grab some opinions.
I’m planning to have three main-ish characters, where the third character is more of an alternate identity of the second ...
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How do I accurately portray a character that has DID?
In a novel that I'm working on, one of the characters has dissociative identity disorder (DID), though this will not ever be explicitly stated in the aforementioned novel. I was wondering how to ...
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How can I fit a protagonist and his character arc to an existing world and plot?
I began my project with world-building. Afterward, I decided on the overarching plot, and now I'm trying to populate it with characters, starting with my protagonist. I've figured out his core driving ...
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How can I make a character memorable and not stereotypical?
I am planning a novel and am currently developing the characters. I have written one sentence for each character that defines them, come up with the roles they would play in the story, as well as ...
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How to format a script when the same character says two lines one after another?
I'm writing a script for a school project and I forgot when you can have the same character's lines right after another. For example:
Bob: Hey joe, how are you?
Joe: I'm good.
Joe: I could be better.
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How to describe a character dealing with a betrayal from one of their closest friends?
The character who gets betrayed is my main character, who is practically left to die by her closest childhood friend. My MC is the type of character to wholeheartedly believes and trusts in her ...
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How and when do you reveal information about your character?
Similar to my previous question 'How/when do you reveal a big secret to the reader,' I'm looking more specifically at the first few chapters and when to reveal anything, not just big secrets.
For ...
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How do I include a woman on her period in a Fantasy novel?
One thing I want to see more of in Fantasy exploration books is mentioning the necessity for 'emptying ones bowles' and women on their period - human reproductive systems will generally not change ...
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How do I make it CLEAR there is no sexual tension?
Both for the book I’m writing right now, but also for the future, how do I make it COMPLETELY clear that there is not, nor will there ever be sexual tension?
The relationship I’m focusing on currently ...
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How do you write a character who can only communicate with one person?
In my sci fi story, the main character, whose perspective the entire story is told from, underwent a failed brain surgery. As a result of the failure, he can't speak. He can communicate with his ...
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How do I write a major character from scratch?
I've designed loads of characters, most remaining in my head, some being written down on paper and others even having the honor of being in a book/short story. I'd like to pride myself by saying I'm ...
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A cool side character who knows their place
I have a question that may shake my story up a bit.
So I'm going for a mix of Faust and Dorian Gray with a very violent tone that's set in modern times. Now nearing finishing my outline/synopsis, I ...
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How/when do you reveal a big secret to the reader using first person or third person viewpoint?
How and more importantly when do you reveal a major secret about the character?
My character is a mythical species, highly valuable for both intel and magical properties, however she is humanoid and ...
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How do you show the audience that the 3rd person limited narrator is deluded/wrong?
My character's home, both her family and society, are toxic, but in a way that she doesn't realise. They manipulate and essentially brainwash the inhabitants. It's not an evil place just a little ...
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How do I keep a villain's menace after they've suffered so many defeats?
I've noticed in many long-running stories that it's common to have a villain who's a genuine menace to the heroes become impossible to take seriously after they've gotten defeated or died so many ...
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How to make sure the reader knows the MC is a different species (not human)?
How can I hint that the main character is a different species (still mostly human shape) without directly telling? I could mention specific traits, but I'm not exactly sure how to incorporate them ...
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How should I switch between different pronouns when writing a nonbinary/genderqueer character?
(For refrence, I'm trans, and have done my research on this stuff.)
A character from a story I'm writing is nonbinary/genderqueer. Basically, they just don't care about gender. I really want to write ...
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Can I write a story based in a world without humans?
I have this world I'm building that I want to write a story on, but there's absolutely nothing human in the world.
It's entirely built around elemental creatures including the protagonist.
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How do I portray therians in a way that's relatable and not weird?
I'm writing a story on therians, for therians themselves to enjoy and for people to understand them better, but it's turning out kind of weird. I was making this more for people to stop hating ...
