Bestselling Author, Jennifer Blake: Jennifer's Journal

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Writing Tip of the Day-Characters

Avoid the heroine who flares into temper for no reason except to display her "feisty" nature. This taps too easily into the stereotype of the over-emotional female. A truly tempestuous heroine should be given distinct and meaningful motivation for her attitude.

Labels: creating heroines, Motivation, temper

Monday, January 18, 2010

Writing Tip of the Day-Characters

The backstory of the heroine should not be mere window dressing. The events from her past should add depth to her personality. They should also have direct bearing on both her motivation and her ability to gain her heart's desire.

Labels: backstory, creating heroines, Motivation

Friday, November 13, 2009

Writing Tip of the Day

Character motivation can change as your story develops; it need not be set in stone. Real people change their minds and attitudes according to their circumstances. Characters are free to do the same.

Labels: characters, Motivation

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Writing Tip of the Day

The motivation for your main character should never be self-serving. If your romantic heroine's goal is marry a rich man, for instance, it should be for an altruistic or sympathetic reason, something beyond her own wants and needs.

Labels: character development, Motivation

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Writing Tip of the Day

Character motivation often comes from the background or back story given them. It can be based not on what they are doing, but on what happened to them in the past and on who they are because of it.

Labels: Motivation

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Writing Tip of the Day

Motivation for all characters should be clear and understandable, but particularly for the heroine. The TSTL (Too Stupid to Live) heroine is one who does things, or believes things, for no good reason, sometimes against all common sense. Strong, reasonable motivation is an indicator of intelligence in any character.

Labels: characters, intelligence, Motivation

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Writing Tip of the Day

To discover the Goal, Motivation and Conflict for your characters, ask yourself these questions: What does she/he want? Why does she/he want or need it? What prevents her/him from achieving it?

Labels: Conflict, Goal, Motivation

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Writing Tip of the Day

The Holy Trinity of plotting is Goal, Motivation and Conflict. Construct these three things for your characters and everything else will usually fall into place.

Labels: Conflict, Goal, Motivation