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Character Sketch
Many beginning
writers wonder what's a character sketch. A sketch for a novel is
when the writer jots down information about the
protagonist, antagonist, and other characters in the book.
A character sketch
is important because the way you introduce your character determines
whether or not readers will be drawn into the story. That said, the
character sketch is just that - a sketch, a snapshot. As a result,
you don't have to write a full description, outline every single
aspect of the character's personality, or discuss all of your
character's view.
Tips for Creating
a Character Sketch
Before you start a
character sketch, complete a character profile or draw up your own
pre-writing questions. Having an understanding of who your character
is and what makes him/her tick makes it easer for you to write a
sketch.
Determine the
attitude you want readers to have with your character. Do you want
readers to love, hate, or have sympathy for the character?
As a writer, you
owe readers the courtesy of coming up with their own views about the
characters. So don't spell out everything. Give enough information
for readers to make up their own minds about how they feel.
Develop a character
sketch that allows readers to get a mental picture of your
character. Describe your character's quirkiness, mannerisms, way of
speaking.
Not all characters
are created equal. When you write a character sketch, readers see
the differences between the characters you develop. Some are an
integral part of the story, others play minor roles.
Ask pre-writing
questions before you put pen to paper. For example, determine your
character's motivation, personality, and physical attributes.
Character sketches
come in handy, especially when you are writing a character-driven
novel. But as mentioned in the beginning of this article, you don't
need to write a character sketch to create a solid story.
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