25 Ways To Plot, Plan and Prep Your Story I’m a panster at heart, plotter by necessity — and I always advocate learning how to plot and plan because inevitably someone on the business side of things is going to poke you with a pointy stick and say, “I want this.” Thus you will demonstrate your talent. Even so, in choosing to plot on your own, you aren’t limited to a single path. And so it is that we take a look at the myriad plotting techniques (“plotniques?”) you might use as Storyteller Extraordinaire to get the motherfucking job done. The Basic Vanilla Tried-And-True Outline The basic and essential outline. The Reverse Outline Start at the end, instead. Tentpole Moments A story in your head may require certain keystone events to be part of the plot. Beginning, Middle, End A Series Of Sequences Chapter-By-Chapter For novel writers, you can chart your story by its chapters. Beat Sheet Mind-Maps Happy blocks and bubbles connected to winding bendy spokes connected to a central topical hub. Zero Draft AKA, “The Vomit Draft.” Index Cards
The Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test Stuck with a case of massive writer's block? Has your muse gone on indefinite hiatus? Or are you just bored? Check out the random generators - with a click of a button, you can create characters, names, settings, items, and more for your creative works! The Universal Mary Sue Litmus Test How to use this test: First, if you're unsure of what a Mary Sue is, please read this page. Answer all questions for which the answer is 'yes' or 'technically yes' unless the item mentioned is so commonplace in the universe you are writing for that it doesn't really make your character remarkable or unusual. If your character is a role-playing character and the only reason you can answer 'yes' is because of other players acting of their own free wills (IE, everyone has their characters throwing themselves at your character's feet and you've done nothing to force this) do not answer yes to the corresponding question. Part 1 - All Characters Questions that pertain to all characters everywhere.
Character Traits Meme by pichu4850 on DeviantArt Random Generators! - LOTS Run out of ideas for your latest novel or roleplaying game? Has your writing or artistic muse abandoned you? Does your creativity just need a kick in the pants? You've come to the right place - with the click of a button, new ideas are yours for the taking. Tip: If you want to use a random generator on a computer with no Internet access, save the file to a portable drive. Right-click on the page it's on and click Save As/Save Page As, and choose Webpage, HTML Only. Randomly-Chosen Random Generator Let random chance take you to your destination! Fandom-Relevant Generator Index Browse a list of popular fandoms to find generators relevant to your interests, be they Doctor Who, The Avengers, Sherlock, Dungeons & Dragons, or many, many more. Worldbuilding-Relevant Generator Index Browse a list of random generators useful for building worlds and cultures. Name GeneratorsNames for characters, places, and more. Item & Artifact GeneratorsGenerate fictional feelies and/or crafting and art ideas!
Seven Common Character Types Seven Common Character Types by Terry W. Ervin II Fiction writers employ a variety of characters while weaving their tales. Beyond the standard definitions of protagonist (the main character in a literary work) and antagonist (the main character or force that opposes the protagonist in a literary work), recognizing the types of characters and the parts they play while reading an interesting story can add to the experience. Confidante- someone in whom the central character confides, thus revealing the main character’s personality, thoughts, and intentions. Example: In a story, Melvin Sanders is a detective on the trail of a serial killer. In this example Chops is a confidante. Dynamic Character - a character which changes during the course of a story or novel. Example: Ebenezer Scrooge, in A Christmas Carol by Dickens, was very stingy with his money. In this example Ebenezer Scrooge is a dynamic character. In this example Louis Drud is a flat character. In this example Betty is a foil.
Characters Types in Fiction As a writer or reader of fiction, you'll encounter many types of characters. From round characters and flat characters to stock characters and protagonists, all characters have their place. As a writer, you may want to avoid or handle some of these character types delicately. If you receive critiques telling you that your character is flat, take it as a challenge and see how emotionally complex and detailed you can make your characters. Flat Characters In fiction, flat characters are minor characters who do not undergo substantial change or growth in the course of a story. In some instances, they may be more parts of the setting than characters. Static Characters A static character doesn't change. Perhaps your main character lives in a building with a doorman, and to develop your character, you show the kind of small talk she engages in with the doorman each time she enters or leaves. Round Characters Round characters are the opposite of flat characters. Dynamic Characters Stock Characters
Chaotic Shiny - mannny generators How to Create Fictional Characters Character Bio Sheets A bio sheet is a way of keeping track of a character’s physical description, traits and attributes. This method is familiar to anyone who enjoys role playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons. Using a Bio Sheet gives you an excellent reference point to go back to when you need to remember key information about your character. There are specific roles that characters fall into when you are writing a story. Building a Character Using Multiple Perspectives This technique helps you to build relationships. Key Questions This is a simple list of questions that provide insight into your character and how your character fits into your story. Basing Characters on Real People We often draw inspiration for fictional characters from people we know in real life. A Day in the Life Once the events of a story kick into motion, main characters are pushed outside of their boundaries and comfort zones. Interview This is a classic method of creating a character. Biography Possessions
Character Chart FAVORITES Color: Music: Food: Literature: Expressions: Book: Quote: Expletive(s) (swears): Mode of transportation: HABITS Smokes: What? How often? SELF-PERCEPTION One word character would use to describe self: One paragraph description of how character would describe self: What does character consider best physical characteristic? Immediate goal(s): Long range goal(s): How does character plan to accomplish goal(s)? How character react in a crisis (calm/panic/etc.)? Jewelry? Owns a computer? © (c ) copyright 1990-2011 Rebecca Sinclair ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Authors Note: I worked hard on this. ~ Permission is granted to LINK TO the Fiction Writers Character Chart. ~ Permission is granted to print out a copy of the Fiction Writers Character Chart FOR PERSONAL USE ~ Permission is NOT granted to copy and/or use the Character Chart in print and/or electronic form (including the internet) without express written permission)
Fantasy Place Name Generator for RPG players and authors Naming Your Geographical Features This name generator generates names for geographical features, town names and village names. Names vary from the amost normal to the downright bizarre. Its good for when you are stuck for an idea. Please note that because this data is based in part upon existing place names you may well find some that already exist. Should you not find the place name you want then you can try again and get a different set. Please select how many names you want to generate,and if you want any dark wierdness, and press submit. Recent NamesGenerated
Handling a Cast of Thousands - Part I: Getting to Know Your Characters by Will Greenway Few writing challenges are greater than doing justice to a large cast of characters in a novel or story. In fact, the difference between simply doing them justice and handling them well is a significant level of effort in itself. Sadly, this is one of those writer conundrums that is often best resolved with a "Don't do that if it hurts" solution. If having too many characters is causing a headache -- then don't have so many characters! For the obstinate and stalwart ready to strike into turbulent seas, however, read on! Getting a grip on your cast Cast members are reoccurring characters who are pivotal to your story. Aside from your main cast, there will be supporting roles, and often dozens of walk-on or cameo characters. Least significant, but always necessary, are walk-ons and cameos. Because of the limited time these characters spend in the frame, writers tend to make them more exotic, giving them odd quirks or ticks in order to make them interesting. Unique names.
Writing Fiction: How Long is a Chapter? A reader asked me today about chapter length. "My book is currently 45,675 words and I am starting on Chapter 30. Do you have an opinion on chapter length and word count?" It can depend on the kind of book you're writing. But a novel can be any length, and so can a chapter. My own chapters tend to run to maybe 5,000 words (20 double-spaced pages in manuscript). That is, the reader should understand that the characters are in a hell of a fix, and maybe the characters themselves know it too. Every scene in the chapter should do something like this as well. The technical term for this is anagnorisis: "ana" is Greek for "up," and "gnorisis" or "gnosis" means "knowledge." On the level of the scene, we simply present some characters with a challenge and see how they handle it: Indiana Jones is resourceful robbing a tomb, but then panics at the thought of a snake. It may take four or five such scenes to build up to a major flash, or just one or two.
Fantasy Name Generator By Samuel Stoddard - Version 1.5 One of the perks of creating fantasy stories -- whether by writing a story or game or by role-playing -- is you get to make up the names. Some people relish the task while others are frustrated by it. Some like it but can't seem to create names that are diverse enough. Fantasy Name Generator is a tool that can help you. It can generate an endless number of random names (of people, places, or anything) that would be suitable for use in a fantasy setting. In addition, this tool can be fairly amusing to use even if you don't have any name creating to do. You can use the fantasy name generator below.