How to Develop Characters

[@birjisafroz8886]

About the 1st golden rule: Yes, every person does have a unique outlook on life. However, for plenty of people, that outlook is similar enough to toe the line between similar and identical. Their worldview may be unique under a microscopic lens, but broadening that lens makes things a lot less so. As someone else has already said in another comment, it's practically impossible to write a character never before seen, because we ourselves are amalgamation of the people we've met. Instead, showing how a character puts their own spin in a common and mundane trait, how they make it "theirs", is much more plausible and natural. Anyway, that's my takeaway. I don't agree with the 1st rule, but all in all, great video! 😊

[@MrWarrenjc]

I think what our instructor was hinting at was cliché tropes

[@michaelcain9324]

Thank you. I literally used what you just taught me to make my new heroine better. Thank you.Oh, and I gave her a cold-I’m getting a cold as I speak. I think showing how it messes with her is universal and makes her ... more. Thanks again.

[@kenny8969]

Thank you for all your helpful writing advice videos! You manage to get the information across in such a short time and efficient way and I've always loved that about your videos. They're so informative and get straight to the point. Keep up the good work!

[@namelesssturdy4676]

How to write an overpowered character as a the protagonist

[@Jazzadrin]

Thank you for your contributions to the subject of writing and helping people learn. I hope love and light find you and give you great strength

[@The_Open_Book]

Nice quick take on characters, and it's got me thinking. You mention there needing to be an internal and external conflict with your character and the best ones are linked or affect one another. When I think about the kinds of stories I don't generally enjoy reading like romance etc. it's because I find one or both of the conflicts they're facing either not intense enough or mundane. I never really thought about that before, because there are outliers for sure but generally speaking I think that's what keeps me away from some genres.

[@ewabrzakaa6395]

The "first golden rule" is something simply impossible. If you didn't hear about character like this before - they just never made it big. Yes, it's important to make character and not just use staple protagonist and give them characteristics to make them interesting, but it's fools hope to make them someone never written before. Wait... actually it might happen if you write someone with distinctly non-human mentality created by adding mental traits instead of subtracting them since most people writing alien minds just takes human and then subtracts some characteristics, but this is something only fantasy and science fiction writers might use, and even this nook will likely be filled sooner rather than later.

[@Reedsy]

Every person alive sees the world in a unique way. It's definitely possible to give your character this quality as well!

[@merlinsteindorf-elsner1150]

You can pack everything in boxes. I can't google "character archetype" or "basic plots" without that I couldn't sort something into these lists. And when I start to analyze my favorite films / series / books / anime / novel / manga, I realize how unoriginal they are in truth. So why do I like them? My favorits are my favorits cause they let me feel something with the characters and drag me into another World. Not because the characters or the situation is so unique. I think basic human emotions are very similar for most of the people and very simple. So I think I can only be truly original or "outstanding" in the details and the spelling / in the way how to convey something. PS: Sorry if I made any mistakes, English is not my mother tongue. :)

[@Anti-HyperLink]

@@Reedsy Unique from literally every other character in existence?

[@PhoenixCrown]

@@merlinsteindorf-elsner1150 Great comment. I like seeing it from both sides: 1) No one can tell your story; you have a unique perspective to share, and 2) The stories that have the most lasting impacts on us are those that connect us with something deeply human, that we can relate to, that we all have in common.

[@sovietta133]

Could future potential outcomes, affect a character’s view of the world? Or does it have to be in the past? (Also, love the videos!)

[@jascrandom9855]

Only if they are shown as Prophecies or some form of Clairvoyance.

[@BrittanyArtPoetry]

Only if they are aware if that potential future outcome. If they are dreading an upcoming choice that could effect them. If they have a prophecy and are aware of it. If they know they will need to eventually face something but are trying to ignore it. If they don’t know about it however they aren’t able to be effected.

[@PhoenixCrown]

I disagree with the other replies here. Take religion as an example: Many people believe that they know when the world will end--and why. This absolutely shapes a person's world view.

[@Alejandrolocane]

tremendous video, tons of information delivered quickly and forcefully. I loved it

[@Anti-HyperLink]

It would take a lifetime to craft a wholly unique mindset. That would mean that the character would be completely unlike the author, or anyone he or she has ever met or known of.

[@Reedsy]

A character doesn't need to be 100% novel in every way, they can certainly have traits we've seen before, but it's important to identify something that is unique about them.

[@improvementTime10.3.17]

3:33 general idea of backstory but have specific experiences that are clear For Ex, gen idea of childhood But know certain events, people, experience, etc that really affect how they view the world

[@andrewah15]

Thanks for uploading this. It’s extremely helpful. 😊

[@ngtskynebula]

Thank you for this 😊

[@HD_Simplicityy]

What about the protagonist starting with a complex goal, and halfway he or she goes through obstacles that simplify it?

[@Reedsy]

It's not conventional, but if you'd like to try it there's no reason not to!

[@HD_Simplicityy]

@@Reedsy Sure!

[@Mungo658]

This type of character development in a sense is used or could be Psychology and therapy... I would know because i have a therapy session a day before my birthday ha ha ha

[@ksorangeeee840]

I'm stuck with the character. I don't know what this character's motivation or who he really is. Okay, I shall cry.

[@alexman378]

I know it’s been a while, but here are my two cents; before writing your piece, make sure you thoroughly explore their past and their use in the story. Narrow it down by looking at archetypes and where your character falls. One’s past defines their present, mannerisms and pieces of knowledge they’ve obtained, they’ve done so through experiences specific to them. Their motivation usually stems from who they were raised as. Someone who was raised to be timid and reserved will not be outspoken and vocal in their opinions unless something strong happens to them, to shake them out of it.

[@ksorangeeee840]

@@alexman378 oh gosh, now that helps me a lot! Thank youuuuu so much!! I haven't even started even now because of this problem 🤣

[@alexman378]

@@ksorangeeee840 You should get to it then! If you’re so stuck even after making sure who your character is, what his purpose is and what his arc will be, maybe find books, shows or films (depending on what you want to make) with similar characters and take notes. There’s also a channel called “Hello Future Me” that details things that will very likely help you snap out of your block. My father always said that eating gets your appetite going, and I’ve found that to be true with writing as well. I just force myself to do it initially, and after a few minutes, I get into it and things I didn’t even consider start making their way to the page, because events I’ve established would shape the characters this way. Try it if you think your story and character are worthwhile.

[@ksorangeeee840]

@@alexman378 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 your thoughts and suggestions are melting my heart ❤ Thank you for helping me, it helps a ton! I will surely take your suggestions especially that channel you mentioned "Hello Future Me". I haven't feel excited writing again for a while now so I thank you thank you thank you thank you for inspiring me again!! I hope you and your famoly are well and healthy when reading this reply 💖🥺🥺🥺

[@SHInangli]

@@alexman378 Words can't express how greatful I am, but-thank you so much. I am in the same shoes as the original commenter. I don't know who my character is, what I can do with them, and what steps should I take or what should I do but I just have this feeling that I shouldn't abandon the character because same thing happens with my other main character but I worked them out so amazingly. I'm ganna try that I hope it works :D

[@Soroosh.S83]

I'm happy that I found your channel your channel is helpful

[@sblwsytsmsyco161]

Ibn Umar reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, bad character spoils deeds just as vinegar spoils honey.” Source: al-Muntakhab 799

[@timed3618]

Thank you for the insights.

[@shankerr9163]

Hey nice video,so detailed insight? Thank you ,I am struggling to figure out other characters than the protagonist any help?

[@TylerHollenbeck-py1xx]

I appreciate all these tips and taking these tips but i also have to say you are beautiful

[@u_t_d_s_h-1_a]

Hey, I tried some of your tips on how to write faster, The tip not to look at the screen while writing, is sooo hard, How is it even possible if one needs to write with speech recognition software ? I'm having a hard time trying to. . . But, it's a good tip though.

[@dieselsnout]

I've found that with my unique style of writing using just the fore finger of each hand and my forehead causes me to really have to concentrate on aiming for the right keys. I can go days without seeing the screen.

[@selina5619]

Thank you

[@Captain-mz6mg]

So my main character’s goal is to kill a monster, and he does this because he wants to protect his friend. The arc is him trying to become more of a leader.

[@thelaboratory7723]

Question: Can a prologue take place in the middle of the story if it sets up the world I'm creating?

[@Jay-fj9eq]

I know you asked this a year ago and that I'm not Shaelin, but here's my two cents: I've never seen it done before in other people's works, but I included an interlude in my own novel one time and I thought it was cool. I'd say go for it, if you think it's important to your story!

[@mikewright3029]

Thanks! :D

[@agniflame9812]

Uh, thank you for the video ^^

[@andrewextros5872]

Thank you ❤

[@rashmisrivastava9961]

Good

[@mehmetasimsimit2806]

Golden rule #2: Character must have goals, Me writing the drama of a Clothes Hanger:REEEEEEEE

[@kailashmendiratta6178]

I want to read that book

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Since the paper was allowed to be delivered here, it wouldn’t be a travesty to let me read.

[@alexman378]

Interesting how you use Frodo as an example. He’s probably the weakest main character in a popular franchise we’ve seen, both externally and internally. Starting off, he’s a wimpy weak willed boy, and by all means, if there was a proper arc for him, he’d grow out of it, but when the time for his character defining choice comes, throwing the ring into the lava, he doubles down on where he started, deciding to keep the ring after all. Gollum literally makes that choice for him, albeit unwillingly, falling with the ring after stealing it back. So I don’t get why you’d use him as a model for developing characters, seeing as he never actually develops.

[@alexman378]

@CyberPup 22 No, he’s a very weak character. Static characters can be great, Charles Vane in Black Sails immediately pops to mind, a fantastic and static character. Frodo is particularly weak for a main character. Again, in his defining moment, he just does what he’d do in the beginning of the journey, and exactly what was done the last time someone tried to throw it. Someone needs to accidentally make that choice for him.

[@imaginethat8673]

Respectfully, you are missing the entire point of the book. Not only did Frodo take the ring exactly to where it was meant to be taken in order for it to be destroyed, but his character arc also changed as well throughout the book only not in the linear way we all expect from a main character. His arc was in his purity in the beginning that he of all people; elves, wizards, dwarves and, humans is the ONLY one who could have gotten it as far as he did. He had nothing in him that the ring could use to immediately turn it against him and get it back to Sauron/the bad guy. However the rings power did eventually break down his resolve slowly and towards the end even making him doubt himself and his longtime companion. Him putting on the ring at the end of carrying it does not suggest his weakness it speaks to the power of the ring and the evil it contains and just makes Frodo that much stronger that he was able to resist it for so long. His arc is in that he did fail he was unable to ultimately resist and destroy the ring of his own accord which is why he was not able to return to the carefree hobbit he once was and chose to go with the elves on the final ship to the undying lands.

[@alexabesadubitrusbyanyiko6742]

❣️❣️❣️

[@taufiqramli7670]

flashback??hmm..thats what's happening in popular anime

[@annabellemoore4214]

1 Character must not have been seen before 2. Characters must have goals (external and internal goals) -what they are willing to risk and what will happen if they dontb

[@adnanahmed3504]

Pls make a video on minor characters

[@oblong050]

me who's writing a script of an inverted au: 👁👄👁✍

[@user-ik7vm1kt6q]

shaelin writes? whatarya doing here???

[@mithicl12]

Fun fact: your being used for someone’s character development

[@anisha5697]

you kinda look like how i imagined my character lol

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Mikhaila Peterson removed from the operations. Please don’t ever let her meet me.

[@gerardoguchi1367]

She is pretty