EPUBBING with NICOLA FURLONG

Intro: I occasionally teach a writers’ workshop at our local Camosun College on how to write a mystery novel. The students eat it up, telling me that they’re learning lots of practical and usable tips and techniques, so I thought I’d offer bits and pieces of the workshop in my Friday Mystery Writing blog posts.

The information is gleaned from my little non-fiction e-book primer called Youdunit Whodunit! How to Write Mysteries and offers my tips, techniques and information suitable for crafting of all types of genre writing.

So, even if you write romance, sci-fi, fantasy or horror, please keep reading and learn with us crime writers.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT (Part 18)

The last group of posts have focused on the point of view (POV) from which to tell your tale.

Most recently, we’ve moved into creating the people who populate your story. I nicknamed this step: Haven’t We Met Before?

There are three types of CHARACTERS who populate fiction: Major, Secondary and Minor.

Obviously, your major characters are the most important and require the bulk of your thoughts, so take some time and get to know them…intimately.

Don't Be Shy

This is simplified if you ask a lot of questions, moving from broader basic information, to more intimate details and finally into fun and quirky stuff. In episode 16, we began by musing about personal details.

You’re Invading My Personal Space

Today, we did deeper and get even more personal.

Armed with your budding characters, begin to flesh out their temperament and PERSONALITY TRAITS, choosing four interesting ones that help determine speech patterns, thoughts and actions.

These four traits will help you bring your character to life when you are writing their dialogue, movements, reactions and feelings. (more…)