How to Create an External Plot Journey by Developing the Internal Plot Journey

Plotting has always been the most difficult aspect of storytelling for me to master. I used to wonder, how can I create a plot that is not only interesting, but that can somehow connect with the main character's inner struggles and desires as well? 

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Since this was a problem area for me, I spent extra time studying how I can create an external arc of my story by drawing from the internal arc of my character. In this new episode of Firsts in Fiction podcast, I share some of the secrets I learned and discuss how you, too, can weave together external and internal conflict to thrust your story into motion. Check out the discussion below!

Main points:

• Character-driven novelists, in particular, can benefit from discovering their story's plot by first establishing their character's inner journey. Once we discover who they are, then we can map out their external journey. 
• The external journey will cause problems and tension as the inner journey proceeds. 
• The overarching external goal of your main character, motivation, and story stakes can all be uncovered by first discovering your main character's inner need. 
• The external and internal journey that your main character undergoes needs to be woven together in order to deliver a well-rounded story.

How do you create the external plot of your stories? What are other ways that we can brainstorm plot ideas by first uncovering the inner arcs of our main characters? Let me know in the comments!

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Develop Your Story by Beginning with Character Backstory

As a character-driven novelist, I find it thrilling to discover my characters before I write their stories. I can get to know their hearts and their histories before I allow them to walk onto the page. Doing this not only enables me to present well-rounded characters to my readers, but it also helps me to develop the entire course of the story as well.

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Think about it: In real life, our past determines our present. The choices we made yesterday have brought us to where we are today. So how can we, as authors, expect to authentically slip into the shoes of our characters if we aren't first aware of why they are the way they are today? How can we expect to write in deep POV if we don't first allow ourselves to delve into our character's history? 

This is why, when I approach a new book, I like to first begin with backstory. Not only does this allow me to present flesh-and-blood characters to my readers, but it also helps me steer the entire course of our story.

In my first episode of The Firsts in Fiction Podcasts (an absolute favorite writing-craft podcast of mine, which I have recently joined as co-host--yay!), we've shared tips on how you, too, can develop your story by first beginning with backstory. Check out the video below! 

Main points:

• When we discover the history, then we can craft well-rounded, authentic characters.
• Our character's past influences his/her worldview, attitude, religion, personality, etc. Characters are who they are because of the decisions they made yesterday--just like all humans. 
• It's important for writers to understand the backstory between character relationships as well--relationships with humans, as well as with the story's setting(s). 
• When we understand their yesterdays, then we can understand the "whys" of their today. This can then shape a character's internal struggles, goals, inner needs, and flaws, which can influence the external journey of the plot. Our characters' pasts might come into play as they walk through the course of the story.

What are your favorite ways to discover your characters' backstories? Do you brainstorm backstory first, or do you discover it as you write? Let me know in the comments! (And don't forget to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it!)

Tweetable: 

Develop Your Story by Beginning with Character Backstory #writingcommunity #writingtips https://bit.ly/2FjkNcJ @TessaEmilyHall 

5 Sources for Character Names - Guest Post by JPC Allen

Creating names for characters is the one writing task I always find enjoyable. I’ve been fascinated with names since I was a kid, pouring through baby name books to look up the meaning of my name and those of my family.

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If you have run out of inspiration for new names, check out the sources below. But remember The Golden Rule of Characters Names: It must be easy to sound out. I invented a Slavic-sounding last name, Stalvochek. Although it’s long, it’s easy to pronounce, “Stahl-voe-check”. But if I tried something like Tziwowicz, my readers would give up and skip over it every time it reared its ugly head.


1. Family History – If you have an amateur genealogist in your family, take a look at her work. My sister fills that role in our family and has uncovered relatives named Moses, Minerva, and Oral. Among the last names, she’s found Bonar, Righter, and Talkington.

If you are planning to write about a family that covers several generations, studying your family’s naming patterns can help you build realistic-sounding names. In my family, we use middle names to honor someone while first names are usually ones the parents just like. Five of my parents’ grandsons are named after grandfathers or great-grandfathers. My sister gave her daughter the middle name “Brooke” in memory of a college roommate.


2. Social Security Baby Names – With this site, you can search baby naming trends back to 1880. I wanted to use popular names for a wealthy family as a signal that they follow social norms and are boring. The father, born in the 1970’s, is Jason, a top-ten name from 1971-1983. His teenage son is Jacob, a name that soared in popularity around the turn of the millennium. This site does have one drawback. It doesn’t combine spelling variations. “Aiden” is much more popular than you would think from this site because parents spell it so many different ways, and each of those ways is listed separately.


The next three categories are aimed at writers of fantasy and science fiction. But contemporary writers might still find inspiration. Maybe you have a professor of Celtic mythology who named all her children after the gods in those myths.


3. Scientific names for animals – Get a field guide. Flipping through my husband’s book on birds, I find Calidris, Striatus, Thula. Asio, Strix, and Zenaida. Tyto Albo is the name for barn owls. It also sounds like a great name for the hero of an epic. If I change it to Tyta Albo or Alba Tyto, I have a heroine.


4. Mythology – A search through less well-known Greek, Roman, and Norse myths can provide names. I recommend dipping into mythologies that aren’t as well-known in America, like Celtic and Slavic. Just a few names I’ve found from Celtic and Slavic stories are Bres, Korrigan, Sadko, Morevna, and Caradoc.


5. Reverse and tinker with well-known names – I take a name like William and write it backwards, Mialliw. That’s unpronounceable. But if I take off the “iw”, I have Miall. Changing the “i” to “y”, I now have Myall, a name any English reader can sound out.

Where do you find inspiration for characters’ names? Let us know in the comments!

Tweetable:


5 Sources for Character Names https://bit.ly/2HAoJWX #writingtips #amwriting

JPC Allen chose initials for her pen name because she thought it had to be more memorable than “Jennifer”. She is a 2016 semi-finalist in the ACFW’s Genesis contest for her contemporary YA novel The Truth and Other Strangers. An English major and former children’s librarian, she loves to introduce tweens and teens to the adventure of writing through her workshops. She offers writing tips and prompts for beginning writers at JPCAllenWrites.com and Facebook.com/JPCAllenWrites. A lifelong Buckeye, JPC Allen has deep root in the Mountain State.

Sitting Down With Your Characters - Guest Post by Leah Meahl

We all know how it goes. Boy. Girl. Best Friend. Villian. Hero. Sidekick. 

One of the best things about writing stories is that we have the luxury of building a person from scratch. But once you’ve chosen the names, the hair and eye color, now it’s time to focus on their inner being. 

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Your characters psyche maybe easy to pinpoint at first, but when you start writing, you’ll realize that some initial ideas lack depth. Here are some ways to sit down with your character and get to know them. 

1 - Do your research 

As with all solid writing, research can go a long way. If your character has a medical condition, physical or mental disability, phobia, etc, you should have a good understanding of what those details involve. How will a mental disability affect one’s thoughts? How would a phobia affect a lifestyle? When you find the nuances of traits you want your characters to have, you may see or understand them better. 

2 - Solidify your image 

You may have a fuzzy idea of what your character looks like, but sometimes it’s better to look them in the eyes. One way to do that is to look up pictures that closely identify your character’s features. Pictures may help you establish vividness and consistency in your descriptions. 

3 - Ask them questions 

Interviewing your characters can be the most fun. After taking a playwriting workshop, I learned that even the most random questions can help you feel out your character. An example of some inquiries are: what genre of books would they read, what alcoholic beverage would they choose to drink, what is their go-to music? Even if these answers aren’t featured in the story, each fact helps mold who they are as a whole. 

4 - Find a real life example 

Some of the best models for characters come from the people around us. When you see the dark spots on a man’s knuckles or the bounce in a child’s step, your descriptions become accurate and relatable. When you have conversations with others, you can write natural dialogue. If someone reminds you of your character, a personality manifests before you. Your job is simply to observe and write down. 

5 - Practice hearing them 

Call me crazy, but we’re writers. Practicing your character’s dialogue out loud can be helpful. Not only does it open up ways for natural speech and choice of words, but also it supports the direction of the scene in your mind. From an editing point of view, reading aloud will confirm the fluidity of your words. So, get in touch with your inner actor and have fun with it! 

We writers have been given the gift of creating by the one and only Creator. He has woven so many beautiful and unique characteristics into His children and now we have the privilege in using His models to help with our own designs. 

If you have a project and a direction in mind, grab a cup of coffee, sit down one of your “friends” and start getting to know them. 

About the Author:

Leah Jordan Meahl is an aspiring author having graduated from North Greenville University concentrating in creative writing. She loves to share her experiences with Jesus in hopes that people will find hope, inspiration, and blessings while growing in a deeper relationship with Him. She helps people see God at work through her blog at www.meahltime.com. On the side, she also has a love for the theater as an actor and singer. In her spare time, she likes to drink coffee while diving into a captivating story. 

~ ~ ~ 

Thanks for stopping by, Leah!

Readers: What's your favorite way to create characters? Do you have any tips to share with us?

Tweetable:

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Sitting Down With Your Characters - Guest Post by Leah Meahl #writingcraft #amwriting @leahjordanmeahl @tessaemilyhall http://bit.ly/2G9D23S

The Art of Storytelling P. 2: Crafting Memorable & Likable Protagonists

Last week, we discussed the definition of the art of storytelling, as well as the three basic ingredients that build a story. Today we're going to discuss one of my favorite aspects of writing: Creating the protagonist. 

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First, if you really want to learn how to craft an intriguing main character, here's what I would advise:
Write a list of your favorite main characters. Then ask yourself:

1. What is it that I find intriguing about these characters?
2. What are their strengths and weaknesses?
3. How are they different from the protagonist of other books? What sets them apart?
4. How can I relate to this character? And is that why I like them so much? 
5. What qualities do they possess that make them likable? 

Every element of a book -- the setting, protagonist, and the plot -- plays a specific role in storytelling. 
But out of all of these components, the protagonist is probably the most important ingredient. 
If your book has a nice setting and a strong plot but an under-developed main character, then your reader won't care what happens to the protagonist. They won't be interested in following their journey.
So how can you craft your protagonist in a way that is compelling and draws your reader into the story?
I highly advise that you get to know your character before you set out to write their journey. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind:
    1. Protagonists need to be likable (or at least sympathetic).

If your character is unlikeable, it's important that you at least give your reader a reason to feel sympathy towards them.

Saving Mr. Banks movie still

In the movie Saving Mr. Banks, the protagonist, P.L. Travers, could come across as unlikeable. However, since her backstory is woven throughout the film, the viewers understand that she is not an "evil person"; rather, there is a reason as to why she is the way she is. 

As her backstory progresses, the viewers begin to feel sympathy towards her. (Another thing to note is that, even though she might not be a friendly person, the screenwriters showed her personality in a way that came across as humorous rather than harsh.)  

Whether or not your protagonist is naturally likable or unlikable at the beginning, your readers should understand why they behave the way that they do and why they make certain choices. 

To craft a likable character, give them admirable traits, such as: humility, self-lessness, optimistic, etc.

However, keep in mind that your main character should not be perfect. They need flaws as well, which brings us to point #2:

    2. Protagonists need strengths and weaknesses.

Although your main character should be likable, they should not be perfect. Give them flaws. Show that they are human. Doing this will help enable your readers to relate to them, and it will help your character to come across as realistic.

However, be careful that your protagonist doesn't come across as weak either. Although they should definitely grow and become stronger by the end of the book, show a bit of this strength at the beginning.

For instance, here's one comment I received by a reviewer for my novel, Purple Moon (via Amazon):

Selena from my novel, Purple Moon

"I was immediately drawn to Selena and her plight, she was honest and easy to relate to. She wasn't perfect, she had her struggles and her flaws and it would have been easy to make her someone to pity, but she had a certain spark and strength that truly brought her to life."

When crafting your protagonist, keep in mind that when it comes to strengths and weaknesses, it's all about balance. You don't want them to come across as pitiful or weak, but you also don't want them to be perfect, either. 

    3. Protagonists should be relatable (to your readers as well as yourself).

Readers like to identify with the character they’re reading about. They want to feel a connection with them. To establish this connection, give them similar struggles and insecurities that your reader might be dealing with as well.

This is my favorite part about writing a book: Connecting personally with my main character, and finding ways for her to connect with my readers also. 

When I went into writing Purple Moon, I wanted to craft a protagonist that could easily identify with the majority of teens. 

To do this, I gave her several of my own struggles, insecurities, passions, etc. (Fortunately, that connection came across, because the one comment that I receive the most on Purple Moon is that Selena seems genuine and relatable.)  

I'm not saying that your protagonist should be an exact replica of yourself; however, it is possible to identify with your character, even if she is the complete opposite from you. 

Give her a similar personality. Or hobbies. Or style. Or family dynamics. Then, while you're writing, try to bring out this connection as much as you can. 

Not only will doing this cause your protagonist to come across as realistic and relatable, but it is also a very fun way to express yourself through your characters. =) 

    4. Protagonists need to be unique in their voice, interests/hobbies, dialect, as well as their style.

There are so many books on the shelves today. How in the world are we going to craft a protagonist that is unique, one that stands out in the crowd?

Well, think about it: There are no two humans alive today that are an exact replica of another.

photo credit: Frauen via photopin (license)

We all have different backstories. God has given each of us a certain appearance, personality, family dynamics, dreams, passions, hobbies. We each have a specific way that we speak, a unique way that we dress, certain behaviors and mannerisms, habits and quirks, etc. 

Filling out a character chart might help to organize the details of your protagonist, however it's not going to truly bring them to life. 

When you want to really get to know a person, do you read a fact sheet about them? Or would you rather have a conversation with them over coffee?

If you truly want to craft a unique protagonist, it's important to first get to know your character by sitting down and having coffee with them. Allow them to speak to you, to come to life in your own imagination first. 

photo credit: P1000156 via photopin (license)

Then, when you write, highlight on the specific details that sets your character apart and shows who they are. (Do they wear the same key necklace every day? Do they have a strange obsession with rocks? Do they only listen to 80s music?)

Doing this is the only way you will be able to craft a genuine, unique, and 3-dimensional character.

    5. Protagonists need a backstory.

photo credit: Katie T via photopin
 (license)

Every person that we meet has a story. 

Our history--the things we have struggled with, the decisions that we have made, the people we have met, the places we have seen--they all contribute to the person that we are today. 

There's a reason why that man is afraid of flying: Maybe his parents were killed in a plane crash when he was younger. There's a reason why that teenage girl won't wear a bathing suit: Maybe she was bullied for being "fat" as a kid. There's a reason why that college student is afraid of dating: Maybe she was in an abusive relationship as a teen.

Just like real life, it's hard to really understand why a person is the way that they are until you hear them speak about their past. 

So when you're crafting your protagonist, begin with their backstory. That way you will see how their past has shaped them into the person they are today.  

 à Conclusion:

Readers fall in love with characters. I don't remember every plot twist of Anne of Green Gables, but I do remember the red-headed, optimistic, and imaginative orphan girl who was in love with stories. 

One great way to create 3-dimensional characters is by "studying" the people around you (in a non-creepy way ... haha!). Why do you like the people that you like? What are their flaws? Insecurities? Habits? Are there any unique traits or quirks that they have? What are their mannerisms?

If you want to craft characters that stay with your readers long after they've read your book, I would recommend spending as long as you can developing a protagonist that comes to life, one that will be unique, memorable, likable, relatable, and realistic. 

It is only when you really get to know your protagonist(s) should you then begin to write their story. 



! Challenge: In the comments, discuss your favorite characters by answering the questions presented at the beginning of this post. Be sure to respond to other comments as well!

Thursday's Thought: Do You Prefer Character-Driven or Plot-Driven Stories?

Every story should have a plot, and every protagonist should have a character arc. So what, exactly, are character-driven and plot-driven stories? I believe that a character-driven novel is one that mostly centers around a character's inner journey (example: The Christy Miller Series by Robin Jones Gunn). In a plot-driven novel, the story focuses more on the series of events (example: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins). This doesn't mean that a character-driven stories lack a plot, or that plot-driven stories lack character arcs. I've noticed that character-driven stories are a bit more relaxing to read than a plot-driven story, which seem to be a bit more page-turning.

However, I have heard that there is no such thing as character-driven or plot-driven stories. I don't necessarily agree with this. Of course, every book should have a mixture of both. Plot and character are the elements that create a story; they should never be separated. A story is not a story unless there is a plot that involves the protagonist striving to reach his/her inner and outer goals, and growing during the process. I personally prefer to read/write character-driven stories. I love relating to characters and going on a journey with them--especially an inner journey--as they learn throughout their struggles and have ultimately changed by the end of the story.

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What do you think? Do you prefer to read/write character-driven or plot-driven stories? 

People & Characters Weren't Meant To Fit Into Boxes

This is something I see so regularly with Christians, as well as authors: stereotyping people. Fitting people/characters into boxes.

Sure, there are people (and characters) who consider themselves a certain label. If a character of mine is black from head to toe and has several piercings on their face, then it might be safe to describe them as goth. And in this case, I think it's fine to describe to the reader what kind of "label" they would be considered. The same goes for real life as well. If there's a guy who plays sports and whose life revolves around working out at the gym and his athletic ability, he himself would probably consider himself a jock.

But that doesn't mean we should fit people/characters into boxes. And by this I mean, don't make stereotypical judgments without getting to know a person. Someone who homeschools may be considered a "homeschooler". But someone shouldn't automatically think that person is sheltered because of that label. And it can go both ways - not everyone who goes to public school is a troublemaker.

There are several things we should consider before automatically placing someone in a box:

• Not all of us have been raised the same way.

We each have different morals and backgrounds. For example, not all Christians are going to have the same beliefs on tattoos and piercings as you may have. The same goes with a Christian who listens to secular music. Something that is wrong for you may not be wrong to someone else.

God has made each person differently.

We're unique. And because of that, we shouldn't all follow the same kind of pattern. No, I don't believe that every Christian should homeschool their kids. But I also don't think that all kids were meant to attend public school.

God works in many ways. His plan for our lives will not be the same as others.

For example, not every teenage dating relationship is wasteful. Most of them seem to be. But this does not mean that everyone is supposed to wait until they're in their twenties to find the one they're going to spend the rest of their lives with. And, no, I do not believe that it is wrong for Christian couples to be only friends/court and stay completely clear of "dating". However, you may think so. And that's okay. Just keep in mind that God has written a different story for each of us, and focus on your's alone - not on someone else's.When I read a YA book, I can't stand it when I can tell that the author is putting all teenagers in a box by having their characters do/say things that is not what normal teenagers these days would do/say, or when an author seems to be "talking down" on us and apparently assumes that every teenager is naive. I'm sure if you're a writer you have heard somewhere to avoid giving your characters a label, but rather make them all unique. However, I believe it's alright to give them a label. Because that's real life. But don't let that be all. Make them unique, because we all are. That's what makes a character and a person different in real life. We aren't all carbon copies of one another. Thank God. =)

Labeling someone automatically is considered judging, no matter what way you look at it. And by judging someone you are acting as if you're holier than that person. No, just because a person wears tons of makeup and clothes that are in style doesn't mean they are materialistic or immodest. It may just mean they like expressing themselves in their appearance, or they may just be using fashion as their creative outlet. There's usually a lot more to a person than what meets the eye. So instead of trying to fit people into boxes, let's do as Christians should do and show love, focusing on our own paths rather than judging another's.

~~~

While reading, have you ever felt as if an author
was putting a certain group of people (or their characters) in a box? Why do you think people try fitting others into boxes, even Christians, even though the Bible clearly says not to judge (Luke 6:37, Matt. 7:1)?

Thursday's Thought: Are Character Charts Useful?

Character charts are a tool that fiction writers use to help develop their characters. Authors fill out detailed questions such as the character's DOB, strengths, weaknesses, etc. on this chart and refer back to it as they write their story. Click here for an example of one of these forms.

Some people, however, believe that these charts are unnecessary and would rather develop their characters organically. I have used these charts myself before, but sometimes a character changes on their own and I find that filling out the charts took longer than than it was worth in these cases.

What do you think? Do you use character charts? Are they beneficial to the writing process, or just an unnecessary use of your writing time?

Introducing Supporting Characters 1, 2, 3 & 4

Imagine that you've recently moved to a new town and have only made one friend so far. For lunch one day, your new friend offers to take you out to a restaurant with five of her other friends so you can begin meeting new people. When you arrive, your friend introduces you to everyone else at the table. She gives their names, how she met each one of them, and how long she's known them. You struggle to follow her introductions, hoping that you'll be able to somehow remember all of these new names, faces, and details. Wouldn't it be a lot easier meeting only a few people at a time in a memorable way rather than several people in a group?

For some reason, many authors love to introduce these "new friends" in a group. They assume that just because they know all of their characters then the reader will automatically know who they are also, and will remember them throughout the story - not just remember who they are, but also what they look like, their names, and how these supporting characters met and relate to the main character. In the first chapter of many novels that I read, the author gives a full-out detailed description of each "friend" of the main character. There are usually about five of these SC's (supporting characters). I find myself skimming over this part, hoping that eventually I will find out who they are myself without the author having to tell me right at the beginning of the story. At this point, I barely even know much about the main character, so when I "meet" the others they blend together in the back of my mind and don't come across to me as unique. This is also another form of telling instead of showing and gets in the way of the action of the story.

Isn't it much more memorable when you meet characters through an interesting incident that highlights their personality? How is it possible to do this in a way that doesn't get confusing to the reader?

Let's say that two of your characters are Jade and Kim. They have been best friends with your main character (MC) since junior high. Jade is really artsy and sort of a ditz. Kim, however, is very intellectual, neat, and organized. There are three main ways you can "show" these characters without having to introduce them:

1. Setting. Place them in an atmosphere that will "prove" your SC's personality.
   
   In the situation above, you could have MC, Jade, and Kim in a pottery class. The way they respond to this setting will highlight who they are. The reader will learn that Jade is artsy and ditzy by the way she's so enthusiastic about the pottery, but keeps making silly mistakes. Kim is taking her time and carefully designs the pottery - although it's really difficult for her to do this, considering she's not artsy.
   
2. Dialogue. This is probably the best way to show who they are and how they met your MC (if it's even necessary to include those details).
   
   Maybe during the class, you could have them bring up times in middle school when they were in art class together. Now the reader knows that they have all been friends for a while. You could also show their personality by the way they talk. Kim can mention how much she doesn't like art and that she doesn't know why she always lets her two friends convince her to go to class with them. Jade, on the other hand, could keep giggling, ignoring her friend's sincere remarks as she continues to sculpt intently, reminding them how much fun they're all having.
   
3. Appearance. The way someone dresses is how they express themselves, therefore it's a great way to "show" a character.
   
   Usually the description of a character's appearance is at the beginning of an "introduction". However, try not to go on forever about the way they look. Only show a few details that will really bring out SC's personality. For example, Jade could be wearing eclectic clothing, colorful dangling earrings and about a thousand bracelets that don't go well with the outfit that she wears. Kim could wear conservative clothing, glasses and have her hair pulled back neatly into a bun. The reader gains automatic insight just by showing their appearance at the beginning of an "introduction".

Of course, there will be more supporting characters that you will have to introduce - but now the reader has met Kim and Jade in a memorable way, and their personalities will stick with the reader throughout the story.

If it is necessary that you introduce a "group" of your supporting characters to the reader at the same time, at least try to make it memorable. Make sure that each character is unique in the way they act, dress, talk, and even the way their name fits their personality.

*Remember: Just because you know your characters, doesn't necessary mean your reader does, too.
~~~
Have you ever been introduced to characters in a large group right at the beginning? Was it a little difficult to remember who each person was later on? What are some other ways you think would be helpful in developing supporting characters instead of shoving the details and introducing them all at the same time?