Chapter 01 / Summary
1. Compelling Characters Are the Foundation of Great Fiction
Characters are to a novelist what lumber is to a carpenter and what bricks are to a bricklayer.
Create rounded characters.Develop three-dimensional characters with complex motives, conflicting desires, and rich inner lives. Go beyond stereotypes by giving characters contradictory traits and unexpected qualities. Build detailed character biographies, exploring their physiological, sociological, and psychological dimensions.
Identify the character''s core.Uncover each character''s ruling passion - their central motivating force that drives their actions throughout the story. This passion should be rooted in their backstory and inform their decisions and conflicts. Characters should be determined and well-motivated, operating at their maximum capacity within the bounds of their established traits.
Examples of compelling characters:
AI-generated summaries are a companion to the original book and may miss nuance. Spoilers may be included. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the author or publisher.
