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Hello! Here are my thoughts:
Replacements for look: Depending on the context, intention, and overall personal writing style, you could try:
– more formal: expression, demeanor,
– If the person is looking over at something or someone: glance (e.g., a judgmental, blank, or loving glance)
– You can also play around with things like, “Her face went cold,” or “his eyes softened.” Overall, I think variety is key. Sometimes using adjectives + noun (e.g., “cocky smile”), while other times using phrases/specific actions (e.g., “she furrowed her brow”).
Thoughts on ‘said’ replacements: I like the words you mentioned, such as, “hiss,” “growl,” “cackle,” etc. These words have a lot of strength behind them. I think it’s okay to occasionally use “said,” because using too many replacements can distract from the dialogue.
Facial Features: Parents: When having a character refer to their parent in introspection, do you use ‘his father’ or the father’s actually name? I tend to use both.
She said vs said she: I much prefer the former (the latter sounds like passive voice to me for some reason), but it also has a unique sound and sometimes I do like it. I noticed that older writing uses the latter much more often than newer writings, but what are y’all’s thoughts? Some of my cousins say they like a mix of both.
He gave a tight smile vs he smiled tightly: This is entirely a personal preference, but I like “tight smile” better.
Chapter Names: Again, there’s no strict right or wrong answer; but personally, I prefer to include chapter names because it provides new creative opportunities, so I’m not sure why authors don’t seem to use them nowadays.
Inches, feet, meters, etc.. in medieval fiction: I don’t write medieval fiction, but the words “pace” and “span” have a nice ring to them.
Voice Description: Similar to my answer on “said” replacements, I generally prefer descriptive verbs (such as “hiss,” “growl,” “cackle,” etc.) more than adjectives/adverbs (such as, “he said gruffly”).
Direct (italicized with I’s and me’s) vs indirect thought: Right now, I’m reading a book that uses both of these techniques, and I like the variety.
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
In my opinion, as long as you explain the reasoning behind these emotions, it will work. For example, go into detail about what she thinks are the worst case scenarios – both if she keeps the secret AND if she shares it. This will drive home the inner battle. Rather than just saying, “she’s having mood swings,” talk about the physical sensations (e.g., heavy weight on her chest, nausea, trembling hands, etc.) and the thoughts. Really emphasize the thoughts and specific worries that lead to the emotions. Sometimes, it’s easier to relate to the thoughts and physical sensations (e.g., “her throat went dry”) than emotion words (e.g., “fear” or “loneliness”). Drive home what all is at stake: make us really care about the protagonist as well as her loved ones. The more we love her & her loved ones, the more we care about them not getting hurt. Her love for others (and her own life) are what makes her emotions justified. Show WHY she loves her sister so much, WHY she wants to live – the specific dreams she has.
Also, you could try exploring her backstory. That might explain why she gets so upset about these things. For example, what specific difficult events from her past make this situation even more painful? What insecurities & fears already lied inside of her before she discovered the secret?
I hope this helps! 🙂
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
Hey Grace!
My protagonists practically are me, LOL – they tend to have a similar personality & interests, but under different circumstances (and usually a bit braver than me! Sometimes they end up being my ideal self.).
You can often relate your protagonist to the main theme/message of the book: for example, generosity vs. greed – make your main character have a hidden flaw of avarice in his/her life.
Also, you can try gaining inspiration for your protagonist the same way that you do it for side characters (for example, through observing others or yourself, maybe making a collage or Pinterest board).
Feel free to use yourself as inspiration: the things you struggle with, worry about; your own flaws & fears. Ask yourself: what would you think, fear, do in this situation?
If your protagonist is morally imbalanced (too perfect or too evil), then he/she can be difficult to relate to. If the protagonist is a hero, it’s easy to forget to give them flaws – infuse moments where they unexpectedly make a selfish decision, even if it’s for an ultimately good cause. If your protagonist is too “bad,” then they can also be difficult to relate to. Make sure that there is some logical reasoning or some other explanation behind their questionable behavior.
Infuse flaws, fears, struggles, losses, and difficult decisions into the characters & story. Where there is humanity, there is relatability. Don’t be afraid to expose your own vulnerability. Sometimes as writers, we’re tempted to hide behind our characters, forgetting that we have worries, thoughts, problems, internal battles that can inspire our stories. You might not have slain a dragon, but you’ve slain a pile of homework. You might not have journeyed in the middle of a remote desert, but you’ve been thirsty & exhausted & hot. You might not have committed a serious crime, but you’ve had a taste of guilt or shame after making a small mistake. In other words, when you can’t relate to the situation, you can at least relate to the feeling behind the situation (at least a hint of it). In addition to fantastical feats, give your protagonists some ordinary problems (e.g., a night with little sleep, a petty squabble with a sibling, a lie they regret telling, an itchy sweater, etc.). Intersperse these moments amidst the adventurous moments.
It can be summed up in this: try to find the “you” in “them.”
I hope this makes sense 🙂
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
Anything concerning the overarching plot, theme and/or aesthetic of the story. Maybe even something the character likes & what they learn from it (if that makes sense).
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
@naiya-dyani You’re welcome! Sounds like a good story 🙂
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
Thank you for tagging me in this 🙂 Here are some ideas (some of these may have already been mentioned):
- These characters often show, rather than tell, how much they care. They could sacrifice themselves. Have them secretly perform an act of kindness or faithfully watch out for someone without saying a word.
- Microexpressions. Stiffened posture. Slight pauses after being asked about a certain person/topic. Changes in vocal tone (“fake” laugh, different pitch, forced vocal control, etc.). Tightening the grip on the steering wheel. Eyes that widen a few centimeters while the rest of the face remains stone-cold. Subtle winces or nervous tics that other characters barely notice. The little tells they give when they think no one’s watching or paying attention. Or maybe BIG tells, such as seeming unemotional when they’re with others but crying or throwing things as soon as everyone leaves the room.
- Sarcasm, jokes, sighs, & passive-aggression.
- Have them let their guard down for a moment with a particular character. In this vulnerable scene, they share a bit more of themselves, whether verbally or nonverbally.
- Physical signs of certain emotions: paleness, quickened breathing, sweaty palms. Accidently dropping something or tripping when a certain topic/person is mentioned.
I think the reason why outwardly-unemotional characters’ emotions seem more powerful is because of contrast. Their emotional expressions stand out because they’re so rare, and it shows how even the most (seemingly) cold hearts can change.
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
@naiya-dyani “Original Characters or OCs are the characters in a fanwork that are not in the source media, but have been created by the fanwork’s author.” https://fanlore.org/wiki/Original_Character
I just Googled it; I didn’t know it had to do with fanfiction.
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
Here are some ideas (don’t expect much, XD):
When I look in their eyes/The Plea In Their Eyes
Faces That Changed Me
Hunting Injustice
Facets of Mercy (the looks that they give him show different aspects/facets of morality)
The Lengths We Go (double meaning: the lengths the tribe goes to achieve their goal and the lengths that the boy goes to follow his convictions)
Maybe you could incorporate the tribe’s name into the story.
Hope that helps to give you some ideas 🙂
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
YES, I agree about the friends-of-different-races-just-because-they’re-friends trope. I don’t think the color of someone’s skin should be a big deal (I’m biracial, by the way). Great ideas! I often forget to incorporate minority races/ethnicities in my stories (the protagonist is frequently – if not always – a white female, and I didn’t even give it a second thought until the past year). GREATÂ point about Middle Eastern & Iraqi-American Christians!
Incorporating diverse characters, even if the story isn’t only about diversity, is important and opens the doors for more creativity & conversation-starters. Maybe that’s part of the reason why people prefer secular over Christian fiction: the characters are more varied. As Christian writers, we can also work to spread the concept of unity through our stories and help readers to develop empathy for those who are different from them.
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
I’ll take a stab at it. As at least one other person said, our morality or lack thereof. The fact that we all need a Savior and the ability & opportunity to have a relationship with Him. The ability to be creative & express ourselves through the arts (music, painting, writing, poetry, etc.), the ability to philosophize and wonder about these sorts of questions 🙂 and the ability to problem-solve/reason. In general, the fact that we are special beings made to be set apart from the rest of creation.
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
Hi Naiya! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you. That’s a neat idea! Would you mind giving a little more detail into the story? Are there any analogies or aesthetics that you incorporate? They might provide some title-inspiration.
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
I’m 17; my birthday is in April.
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
Mine is The Throne of Smoke and Glass.
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
@deeprun Do you mean a steampunk book title generator? I haven’t seen one, but that would be neat.
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
@morreafirebird At the bottom it says to format it like this: “The (your birth month) of (first letter of your first name) and (first letter of your last name).”
"May it be mercy I show for it is mercy I've been shown." - Written to Speak
