Suzy's Writing Corner - Lesson 2- Creating Your Characters Part 1

Reach for the Stars! Writing Workshop for Kids

WORKSHOP LESSONS

WRITING CERTIFICATE

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OUR STORIES!

AMY (BOOKLOVER)

MARGO MARGOLIA

ANGELHORSE

STORY MAIDEN

WRITING "STARS"

Suzy's Writing Corner

Welcome to my writing workshop for budding young authors. Learn how to create your characters and "show don't tell" their feelings. Write beginnings that "hook" your readers. Learn to use a "writing camera" to freeze a scene, and more! Download free worksheets. Click LESSON 1 on the left sidebar to begin.
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Sep. 11, 2007

Lesson 2- Creating Your Characters Part 1

Welcome back to Reach for the Stars writing workshop. This week we're going to start thinking about CHARACTERS. Why? Because without a character, you haven't got a story. It's the character whom readers like to follow along on adventures. A fun, believable hero makes us want to join in and (in our imaginations) become that character. Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating believable characters for your story:

1) Most stories have one "lead" or "main" character. (I know, I know. Some have more, like the Chronicles of Narnia. But for our purposes, we are going to stick with one main character for now, to make it easy). This is the character with whom you as a reader identify. Usually this is the "good guy."

2) Your main character has something to gain or lose in the story. In other words, all the action and adventures happen to her as she seeks to solve a "problem." (remember the 5 elements of a story?)

3) Your main character does not have to be a person.
It can be an animal ( The Black Stallion)...

...a toy (Toy Story)...

...an alien from outer space...

...or almost anything you can think of.

When you make up a character for your story, you need to really get to know him. That way you'll know how he'll react when things happen to him. To help you learn how to get to know your character, we're going to do some "character exercises." I want you to think about some of your favorite characters from books and/or movies. What makes you like a certain character? Is it how he/she looks? Is it what he says? Or is it how they act and what they do? If your favorite character is Aslan, WHY is he your favorite character?

In addition, why do some characters scare you or make you mad? Do you know a character from a book whom you don't like or are afraid of? What is it about that character that makes you shiver or feel disgusted?

The worksheets for today's lesson give you a chance to do some "character exercises." You get to write about your favorite character and your least favorite character. There are examples to show you how to do it, also. Once you have finished the exercises on the worksheet, do it again on your own paper with new characters. Do it a lot! This exercise helps you "get inside" the characters and find out what makes them real. It is a great skill when it's time to get inside your character's head and make him or her real.
CHARACTERS PART 1

Share with us! Either post your character exercise in a comment or on your blog. Sign Mr. Linky. I'd love to read about your favorite and least favorite characters! Have fun!

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Comments

Sep. 26, 2007 - I've got mine up.

Posted by MountainPrincess

Come and see!

Mountain Princess
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MountainPrincess/398223/