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A to Z Challenge: R

R is for Red pens and ReWrites.

It happens to all writers. You've written a fantastic story and it's time to send it off to your critique partner or editor. They return the manuscript with so many notes your story won't be the same.

It's time to ReWrite.

That's right. Get out the big, fat eraser and start deleting. Maybe you'll start with your MC. Character development is one thing I need the most help with, so I generally ReWrite my character, using the notes from my CP.

When I first began writing, I thought I could just sit down and write the story. For a beginner, that worked fine, I guess. I generally start my stories with a character in mind and a situation to work through. My stories ended very quickly because once my character got past the situation, that was it.


I have since learned that in order to make my character real and believable, I needed to create a CHARACTER for my character. It's like reading a biography. The person writing the biography learned as much about their character as possible, maybe even interviewing him or her more than once. Getting to know your character will enable you to write a better story. In order to do this, you MUST know the CHARACTER of your character. Who is she? What made her so happy? Angry? Bitter? Scared? What made him so strong mentally? What happened to him that caused him to be mean, insensitive, careless? Why is he such a gentleman?

Let's learn about your character. It's time to give your character some CHARACTER!

First step: Your character needs a problem he or she wants to see resolved or fixed. As an example, I will create someone, give them a problem, and together we will create a character. Someone who readers will want to read more about. Someone who will leap off the first page of your novel and capture the audience from the first page.

So, get your RED pen and ReWrite that character:)

Comments

  1. cleemckenzieApril 20, 2013 at 2:48 PM

    Since it's the weekend and I have Sunday off, I think I'll use myself as the character. I have several problems, so it should be easy to lock onto one and see if I can write a solution for myself!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookApril 20, 2013 at 3:13 PM

      Maybe we could duplicate ourselves and get twice as much accomplished?

      Delete
  2. Alex J. CavanaughApril 20, 2013 at 3:20 PM

    I always work through my characters in depth before I ever begin writing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookApril 20, 2013 at 3:29 PM

      I've learned, the hard way, character development is just as important as plot development!

      Delete
  3. Sharon HimslApril 20, 2013 at 3:51 PM

    I tend to write 'too nice' characters first draft. Have a lot to learn in that department! Just stopping by in the big A-Z.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ink in the BookApril 20, 2013 at 10:36 PM

      Me too, then I have to go back and make them mean...well, not too mean I guess!

      Delete
  4. Carrie-AnneApril 20, 2013 at 10:23 PM

    I've really grown to love rewriting. It demonstrates that I've grown and matured so much as a writer, to the point where I'm no longer vehemently opposed to altering a single golden word or just dumping gold on top of dross instead of just taking out the dross entirely. Character development is so important. You never want your character to come off like just some name who does things and says a bunch of lines. There's no depth to that kind of character.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Loralie HallApril 21, 2013 at 11:53 AM

    One thing I always have to rewrite is character motivations when it comes to revision. Even if I go into a story knowing what motivates them, I always lose it somewhere in the first draft.

    So I'm right there with you on that ^_^
    ____
    Find me:
    Blog: http://allysonlindt.com
    email: Allyson.Lindt@gmail.com
    Twitter: @AllysonLindt

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownApril 21, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    I started making a list for each of my characters to get to know them better; things like what they'd eat for breakfast to what clothes they're wearing. And deeper things, too. It helped them be real to me, so they'd be real to my readers, too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownApril 21, 2013 at 3:26 PM

    I'm trying to find your email to send you info about reviewing my book, but alas, I cannot. Please email me at Melanie@melanieschulz.com
    Talk to you soon, mel

    ReplyDelete

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