PLANNING YOUR BOOK CHARACTERS 👩✏️ preptober, nanowrimo prep

[@HeartBreathings]

Big weekend coming up! If you want extra time to prep or write, our final Virtual Writing Retreat of the year is coming up starting tomorrow morning! Check the Google Calendar on this page for all the times and links: heartbreathings.com/heart-breathings-writing-community/

[@Cat-jn2fz]

Thanks for the reminder!

[@charlie5by5]

I'll be there with bells on xx

[@elizabethdelafield7533]

Yes, please to a series on character profiles & character arcs!

[@SummerSaysSo]

I second this!

[@mlbullbooks]

I like the triangle concept for character arcs. Makes it more simple and easier. Usually, I know how at least my main characters change over the course of a story.

[@luisaraegan3849]

I struggle with visualizing my character ahead of writing so I found the triangle arc examples super helpful!

[@valeriacpla6320]

love the pinterest boards for characters, i get lots of ideas that way!

[@FireTember]

I love your videos, you’ve helped me understand so much about writing because you’ve covered so much. The only thing I don’t think you’ve ever covered though is Researching for a novel. I would be super interested in hearing how much/how little research you do for your novels and answering other related questions like, What’s the best way to research?, how do you stay focused while researching? Etc.

[@HeartBreathings]

Such a great topic thank you

[@mariajromaley]

magic triangle. Thx, it was really helpful !

[@releko10]

This was hugely helpful! In my first novel, I knew something was off with my protagonist, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on what…the triangle metaphor really helped! I see now that my protagonist never had a mirror moment, which is why her transformation felt kind of off/sudden/unearned. I will definitely include this method in the planning of my NaNo novel! Also, as a writer of romance, I really appreciated those genre-specific examples. Thanks, Sarra!

[@sarah_c_brody]

I love the idea of a series on character building! The Heroine's Journey really opened my eyes and sparked my creativity. I was so inspired by that book. As for character planning... I spend a lot of time with some of my characters in my head before I start writing. By the time I do, I feel like I've known my main characters for ages so I usually just list out the key things I want to highlight in my story rather than create detailed character profiles, but I might do it next time to see if having a full bio helps with my writing process.... Another great video, Sarra. Thank you!

[@bethcox3226]

I love, love, LOVE The Heroine's Journey. (It's also a great resource for my own spiritual journey, what with all the great Goddess archetypes and their journey's.) I write Women's fiction, so The Heroine's Journey makes SO MUCH more sense for those stories than The Hero's Journey. (Not that it's a gendered thing, Harry Potter is probably one of the best-known Heroine's Journey of our time.) Your discussion of how you create characters, and their journey is SO helpful!

[@juliemahamed4784]

This was amazingly helpful. I've always struggled with character arcs and this video really helped unlock a few things for me - I feel like I'm finally starting to grasp what a character arc is, how it relates to the plot, and which of my characters needs one. Thanks so much!!

[@HeartBreathings]

You are so welcome!

[@HeartBreathings]

And THANK YOU for 57,000 subscribers!!!

[@constancegoldwing5867]

We love you Sarra - you're a beautiful soul and you help to keep me on track with my dreams :)

[@authorannettepalmer]

Totally well earned. Love you! ❤

[@HaliaStone]

This came at a good time! I’m brain dumping everything out about an idea I have (not for NaNo) and I need to flesh out my characters a lot more

[@HeartBreathings]

Hope this helps!

[@HaliaStone]

@@HeartBreathings it is. :) And glad I heard the thing about police procedurals kind of having flatter character arcs because they’re more plot driven, since I was worried my main from that didn’t have the same character arc I keep seeing everywhere (since it needs to last 3 books)

[@nicolemiller9437]

3 minutes into the video and you sparked an idea to fix a plot hole. Thank you. lol You never know what prompts ideas!

[@nicolemiller9437]

24 Minutes in, you finally placed one of my scenes as the mirror moment. You're helping me a lot today. lol

[@HeartBreathings]

Woohoo!! That's so awesome!!

[@nicolemiller9437]

@@HeartBreathings Okay, I have a question. In a series, do you resolve the full arc in book one, then create a new arc for book two+? Or is this a point where multiple arcs are devloped and one is solved per book?

[@inkandpenadventures]

I never used to plan out my characters, but have for Nano. And I was going to ask you about whether you use the Hero's Journey - I just picked up the Heroine's journey and I'm so excited to read it.

[@ngtskynebula]

Thank you so much for this video! ❤

[@NORDICbyB]

Love your videos. Discovered them a week ago snd have seen 4-5, adding more to the playlist as we speak! Have you done any videos about «SIGNIFICANT DETAILS» as I call them? Those tiny details while building a story that turn out to be a clue, a solution, an answer etc later on? I struggle with integrating them seemlessly into the story without making them too visible, cause I don’t want the reader to know, at that stage, that this is significant! (Sorry, my english is not perfect, but I hope you understand!)

[@charlie5by5]

I am a planner; I always know exact things about my characters. I feel that the more I learn about them in advance, the better I can just let the story flow. Thank you, as always, for giving us great advice for improving our writing; I love the Hearties community! Roll on the weekend, so I can catch up on my word count for the month xx.

[@staceyshillingburg7966]

I am a discovery writer (pantser) so for me a part of the fun, and sometimes frustration, is learning my characters as I go. I have kind of a murky idea but nothing really set in stone.

[@HeartBreathings]

Yes! I can totally understand that, which is why I always want to acknowledge that you don't have to have it all figured out if that doesn't feel right!

[@pamdwriter]

This is exactly me. I love Sarra's videos. Must watch for me!

[@catherinedean3796]

Same! I made a promise to myself that I'm not going to write a single word of my draft until Nov 1 so being a discovery writer and trying to plan everything before writing is really HARD. I like to write things out to see where it goes and I can only plan so much before I just have to see it in front of me to see if it works. It's Oct 17, I can't wait!

[@diannecook1971]

Thank you for another super helpful video! You are so inspirational and really make me feel like I can finally grasp hold of my destiny and become a full time author. Thank you for putting yourself out there and remaining raw and authentic. P.S. I hope your hand feels better! ❤️

[@HeartBreathings]

So happy to hear this! You can do it!!! And my hand is much better! Almost healed now

[@crystalmorrison4463]

Another winner! If you did a video series expanding on the character building tools-I for one wouldn’t be disappointed! 😊Any how-to series rocks!

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you Crystal! Maybe a full series idea for 2023 🎉

[@feelswriter]

My stumbling block is creating the steps in the characters' growth, and matching them to external events. However, I just discovered One Stop for Writers "Character Builder" and that might get me over the difficulties (the thesaurus folks)... But if you felt like sharing, I bet your explanation would rock!

[@rosannebowman8557]

I always sit down and acquaint myself with my characters, but I don't really know them until I write them.For instance, in a recent book I wrote, I went into it thinking the MC was a clear Enneagram 7 but as I wrote her, it became really obvious she was really an 8. Some characters come into my head fully fledged and their voice is super clear, but others I have to write a bit before I can "hear " them. It's always fascinating. :)

[@ACESEnglishparaViajar]

Absolutely fantastic video. Thanks so much. Is the planner you use in the video the one available for purchaseon Etsy?

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you! No, the plotting planner I use in this video is totally free to anyone who joins my newsletter. I have a bunch of free resources I created to help writers plot and organize!

[@knottyneedle]

Maybe an idea for a future video - how to utilize your iPad more for planning, reading, note taking, etc.

[@plumstone4982]

Thanks so much for sharing all this valuable information with us. I’ve learnt so much from you, Sarra. Question: can I ask the brand of the pink pen you used to write the descriptions on the triangle? It looks very comfortable to write with. Thanks!

[@ShayALaMode]

I’m trying to prep for my writing and completely forgot some of my key points from book one. So, I think I will have to start another idea that I have for Nano. Making me so frustrated because I wanted to do book two. Will just be doing a stand alone. I’m thinking a Christmas story.

[@amberbarnes2868]

I'm so behind on prepping. I usually have a notebook started, gah. I only have a handful of notes.

[@bdup159]

Also something I find very helpful for my characters is to create playlists for them of their journey or personality and then listen to those songs while I write about them, hope that helps someone out there :)

[@raefields304]

This was fantastic. I've heard it all in different places, and read most of your the resources listed, but the way you've explained it unlocked something in my brain and really made the whole concept of HOW the arc happens concrete. This pantser thanks you!

[@HeartBreathings]

So happy to hear that!!

[@ACESEnglishparaViajar]

I agree completely. She broke it down beautifully.

[@mushrikaquadir2904]

Huh, my first time being early to one of your videos

[@bdup159]

I've learned so much in just one weekend from your channel. Thank you so much, so the workbook comes via email when we sign up ?

[@HeartBreathings]

So glad! Yes! When you click to confirm your email the first workbook should download automatically. After that I'll send you a link to my Google folder with all my other workbooks

[@QueenViolet]

hey sarra. love your video. I was wondering if you could do a video on self-inserts and how to tell if you're writing one . also, how would you write a character arc for a series?

[@HeartBreathings]

If you check out this video in my series on how to write a series, it goes deeper into character arcs across a series! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6bCkIacgbCnfrM

[@Cat-jn2fz]

Hi Sarra, I just saw this video drop from you and instantly click on it. I am about to watch it and I already know Im gonna love it!

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you so much Cat!!

[@cindyannrogers]

This is so great and full of useful information. Working on my characters for my upcoming book! Thanks

[@elf1709]

Can you do a video about how Buffy the vampire slayer influenced your books

[@HeartBreathings]

Oh my gosh that would be such a fun video!

[@tlrusslifestyle]

Wow, I have been trying to figure out the outline for the sequel to my Nano novel from last year since January and this video just helped me see a HUGE part of it. Thanks so much. Ideas are now popping all over the place. Too bad I have a different story I’m already working on. Still, I have a feeling when I get back to this one it is going to be amazing!!

[@woodlandlady7011]

Another great informative video, Sarra! Can't wait for Sunday's video! I know this is off topic, but what colour is your lipstick? It complements you well!

[@cassiemerson7789]

The timing of this is perfect, I just spent the morning watching other videos on character development on YT 😆 Stories always develop in my head strongly plot focused, character arcs are a struggle for me. This is a great help ~ thank you!

[@karmenrichardson7289]

I do NaNoWrimo and I agree with Sarra, your work will flow more with the preparation of an outlining and also with those profiles and arcs😅👍❤️

[@evanlorenzo8878]

Oh snap! I think I thought about interviewing my character before BUT I've never thought about em sending me a letter. 🤔 I love writing letters. 😁

[@stephaniecarter973]

Theses ideas are great. I’m stuck on my current WIP because I don’t have a real sense of the main character. I tend to write character driven stories so this will help for my nano planning. (Writing romance)

[@Zoe-uj2vu]

Totally random question here @HeartBreathings … what kind of pencil are you using in this video?

[@nildam.bonilla5849]

I really like to have a big idea of how they look, their perceived personality and their real personality if necessary, their family structure, status etc and now I will add where I want them to start and end in their arc and note any ideas of how can they overcome their struggles. Need to dedicate more time to my world building brainstorm before actually deciding on things

[@dorotheemackenbach4808]

Wow! What a great one! Thank you so much for all the help you're giving.

[@michellej1372]

I was just searching for videos on characters yesterday. How fortuitous!

[@alycia7870]

This was IMMENSELY helpful thank you so much!!

[@CaseyLynn75]

KM Weiland also has a podcast that went into a character arc deep dive that lasted several weeks. It's called Helping Writers Become Authors.

[@karencarnahan3612]

I normally do just the main character, but in book three I am now realizing I need to do it for two thanks to this video. Thank you.😏

[@jolyne7652]

I love that question: "What do they truly need even if they don't realize it yet?"

[@danicabays8274]

Your explanations are so clear, its always super helpful to listen to you!

[@mgtogno]

Love ur videos Sarra I always dance with ur intro song, please never change...also i always thought character profiles were bullshit but after ur explanation i feel like i need to make one for my main character (im writting a power ranger type of story kkk)

[@HeartBreathings]

Oh that sounds really interesting!!

[@mgtogno]

@@HeartBreathings the first act follows all the typical story beats of a usual power rangers type of show "meteor, teens get powers blablabla" second act does a time jump 20 years later and it follows one of the heroes trying to retire cause "cant be 35 and jumping around in spandex" so she does all she can to retire and leave the team, im having fun plotting it and i feel it will be funny in the end haha

[@k.ldouglas401]

You are an amazing teacher. If I had 1 wish to come true, it would be to have you as a mentor!

[@HeartBreathings]

Thank you! This is so nice to say!

[@candaceuncontained4455]

This is perfect timing for me! I'm working on character backgrounds and arcs right now for NaNoWriMo. Thanks for the video!

[@fralou_sind_kreativ]

This, again, was such a helpful video! Thank you, Sarra

[@annelyle5474]

I usually don't plan my characters very much at the beginning of a project (e.g. the first book in a new series) - I let them develop on the page as I tell the story. But in revisions, and for subsequent books in the series, I do plan, because now I have a foundation of ideas to work with.

[@francineh.7825]

This video was very helpful! Such great information!

[@SummerSaysSo]

I prefer to have as clear an understanding of my characters as I possibly can before I get started. The better I know them, the easier everything flows.

[@giuliaddd]

Thank you for this video! I used to underestimate character profiles (because I thought I had all I needed in my head!) until I found out I actually described my MC's eyes in three different colors over the course of my book🤣 This Is Just to Say that even something as simple as physical appearance needs to be stated first and kept as a reference for us writers..not to mention their internal journey😃 Anything that helps them (and us) stay consistent during their arc really does the job☺️

[@sherrihollister5588]

I am a discovery writer who does some planning. I usually do a little essay or short story about character’s backstory. It gives me a better understanding of the character and a place to start.

[@heavymetalelf]

I think I finally got a grasp on character arcs thanks to this video. Thank you!

[@DreamingTruth.author]

For my MC, I know the inner conflict and occupation. I build the outer conflicts as i write the story