First of all, thank you all so much for your time and wisdom! Celia, I have a question for you – will you be accepting manuscripts from WriteOnCon attendees for any period of time?
Hello! This question is for Natascha and Celia. Who was your favorite PB character as a child, and who is your favorite now? Thanks!
aneeqah
3 years ago
Hey all, thanks so much for taking the time to be here! 🙂 My question: Who are your favorite memorable characters, and what about them makes them so memorable?
Hallie
3 years ago
In your opinion, what traits, arcs, etc, make the most interesting characters?
Hello, thank you for giving us your time today! I’m sure there will be a lot of talk about main characters and protagonists, but what advice do you have to make memorial villains/antagonists?
When a main character has gone through excessive trauma, and she doesn’t have a lot of agency early on, what are some ways to still grab the attention of a middle grade reader in those first pages?
Also what are some ways to help the character have more agency as the story progresses?
What advice do you have when your novel/series contains a large cast? How do you make a big cast memorable?
janewrites
3 years ago
Hi! My middle grade fantasy has a classic fairytale feel. Think Karen Cushman, or the Girl who Drank the Moon. How can I make my story and characters stand out in the current market? Thank you!
Shanice
3 years ago
Hello! Thank you for being here to help!
I have a question about my WIP. I have mapped out my characters, down to the last serviceman, who has no lines.
But, one of my characters fall short. I am finding Donovan to be a handful. He isn’t like any of my other characters, which is great. But it’s not so great because he is really lacking. He is boring and rarely shows up, even though he fills kind of a sidekick purpose.
I don’t know how to give him a role outside the three other secondary characters who are Liv’s friends without making him fall back in this novel. If I do that, how do I push him forward in the rest of the series, as he will be an integral part to the conclusion of the whole series.
Thank you again for helping!
Thank you all so much for being here! I have a few interrelated questions. First, how do we find the balance between making a main character stand out, and making them relatable? And second, how do you recommend we make secondary characters memorable while making sure they are three-dimensional? Finally, do you have any advice on making sure a ‘scooby crew’ set of MG characters jive together while coming across as unique?
Hannah
3 years ago
Hi!
How do you guys suggest handle developing memorable villains?
My answer follows on Jennifer’s. For a middle grade audience, how complex should a villain be? I would like mine to have a backstory that explains his behavior — but perhaps this isn’t necessary for that age group?
Any suggestions on interesting ways to introduce characters? (Main character or secondary characters)
Tasha
3 years ago
Celia and Nastascha How do you feel about characters that are not children (a tree, a rock, a crayon etc)? Is this a harder sell in general, or would you be open to it?
Biggest tips for finding your characters’ voices (especially protagonist)? I myself found that I don’t fully grasp who my MC is until after several rounds of revisions, but I know I would save so much time getting to know them more earlier on.
R. Lille
3 years ago
What makes a character’s voice memorable and any tips for differentiating this, especially with dual POV?
Deirdre Mander
3 years ago
Hi! How do you create characters that are a balance of realistic and relatable as well as unique and interesting? Is there one that should outweigh the other? Thanks!
Lisa Katzenberger
3 years ago
Hi everyone! What are some efficient ways to tackle character development in picture books when you need to be so sparse with words? Thanks!
do think a character’s flaw make them stand out more so than their virtues?
Gwendolyn
3 years ago
Hello!
This character is for Charlie.
What is your favourite fictional couple and why were the memorable? And how do you think that they shaped your writing?
For Charlie and Lisa – How do you go about creating memorable characters? How do you make them memorable?
For Natascha and Celia – What kind of memorable characters do you look for in submissions? What makes a character memorable for you?
Rhea
3 years ago
Charlie and Lisa, when creating your characters, do you make a character sheet with a profile and traits before you start writing? Or do just write and see what develops? How can you be sure you are making a character that is memorable and not two-dimensional or cliche?
Kathy
3 years ago
Ms. Lee, Are you accepting any queries now? My series would be a fit for Branches. Thank you.
Jenni
3 years ago
I have a YA Fantasy in the works and am having trouble making Cupid’s Sister seem tangible. Her well known brother we all know. Cupid’s sister is named Portia and she doesn’t have the touch of creating strong unions but is eager to improve. How do I make a believable character that has many flaws she needs to overcome?
I write across and genre (picture book, early chapter book (Branches-styled books), and memoir. Right now, I have links to each “voice” on my website with a disclaimer that my memoir voice is very different from that which I use for kidlit. Is this a mistake? Should I completely separate the two and potentially use a pseudonym for picture books? My first PB will be published next year, so I feel like I need to make that decision soon.
Hallie
3 years ago
What do you think of making the villain related to the main character? (Like a brother) Do you think it’s too over done and a cliche?
Kris
3 years ago
When doing a character’s backstory, is jumping between past to present doable, or is it just too confusing for a reader to follow? I have a character that is no longer alive, but my main character does not know this yet (it’s the twist in the end). To make my dead character feel like he’s still alive my novel switches between present and past. What’s the best way to make this flow or is this something to stay away from and find a new direction in explaining his death?
Dawn
3 years ago
Do you think that there is still a place for omniscient voice in Middle Grade or Young Adult?
Any advice for a character who starts out as timid and fearful, then grows into herself by becoming the strongest and best in the series? I don’t want the readers to write her off as wimpy or boring when she has such an incredible journey ahead. She has a lot of growing to do with the readers.
Thanks — I’ve very briefly had another character tell his backstory so that we understand why a “good” character fell in love with him.
Emma
3 years ago
What are some good ways of dealing with a main character that’s unintentionally a Mary Sue, and transforming her into a more likable/realistic character?
First of all, thank you all so much for your time and wisdom! Celia, I have a question for you – will you be accepting manuscripts from WriteOnCon attendees for any period of time?
Natascha, I know that you like lyrical picture books. Do you also like lyrical board books?
Hello! This question is for Natascha and Celia. Who was your favorite PB character as a child, and who is your favorite now? Thanks!
Hey all, thanks so much for taking the time to be here! 🙂 My question: Who are your favorite memorable characters, and what about them makes them so memorable?
In your opinion, what traits, arcs, etc, make the most interesting characters?
Hello, thank you for giving us your time today! I’m sure there will be a lot of talk about main characters and protagonists, but what advice do you have to make memorial villains/antagonists?
Ugh, memorable, not memorial.
When a main character has gone through excessive trauma, and she doesn’t have a lot of agency early on, what are some ways to still grab the attention of a middle grade reader in those first pages?
Also what are some ways to help the character have more agency as the story progresses?
What advice do you have when your novel/series contains a large cast? How do you make a big cast memorable?
Hi! My middle grade fantasy has a classic fairytale feel. Think Karen Cushman, or the Girl who Drank the Moon. How can I make my story and characters stand out in the current market? Thank you!
Hello! Thank you for being here to help!
I have a question about my WIP. I have mapped out my characters, down to the last serviceman, who has no lines.
But, one of my characters fall short. I am finding Donovan to be a handful. He isn’t like any of my other characters, which is great. But it’s not so great because he is really lacking. He is boring and rarely shows up, even though he fills kind of a sidekick purpose.
I don’t know how to give him a role outside the three other secondary characters who are Liv’s friends without making him fall back in this novel. If I do that, how do I push him forward in the rest of the series, as he will be an integral part to the conclusion of the whole series.
Thank you again for helping!
Thank you all so much for being here! I have a few interrelated questions. First, how do we find the balance between making a main character stand out, and making them relatable? And second, how do you recommend we make secondary characters memorable while making sure they are three-dimensional? Finally, do you have any advice on making sure a ‘scooby crew’ set of MG characters jive together while coming across as unique?
Hi!
How do you guys suggest handle developing memorable villains?
My answer follows on Jennifer’s. For a middle grade audience, how complex should a villain be? I would like mine to have a backstory that explains his behavior — but perhaps this isn’t necessary for that age group?
Thanks — I’ve very briefly had another character tell his backstory so that we understand why a “good” character fell in love with him.
Any suggestions on interesting ways to introduce characters? (Main character or secondary characters)
Celia and Nastascha How do you feel about characters that are not children (a tree, a rock, a crayon etc)? Is this a harder sell in general, or would you be open to it?
Biggest tips for finding your characters’ voices (especially protagonist)? I myself found that I don’t fully grasp who my MC is until after several rounds of revisions, but I know I would save so much time getting to know them more earlier on.
What makes a character’s voice memorable and any tips for differentiating this, especially with dual POV?
Hi! How do you create characters that are a balance of realistic and relatable as well as unique and interesting? Is there one that should outweigh the other? Thanks!
Hi everyone! What are some efficient ways to tackle character development in picture books when you need to be so sparse with words? Thanks!
do think a character’s flaw make them stand out more so than their virtues?
Hello!
This character is for Charlie.
What is your favourite fictional couple and why were the memorable? And how do you think that they shaped your writing?
why were *they memorable
For Charlie and Lisa – How do you go about creating memorable characters? How do you make them memorable?
For Natascha and Celia – What kind of memorable characters do you look for in submissions? What makes a character memorable for you?
Charlie and Lisa, when creating your characters, do you make a character sheet with a profile and traits before you start writing? Or do just write and see what develops? How can you be sure you are making a character that is memorable and not two-dimensional or cliche?
Ms. Lee, Are you accepting any queries now? My series would be a fit for Branches. Thank you.
I have a YA Fantasy in the works and am having trouble making Cupid’s Sister seem tangible. Her well known brother we all know. Cupid’s sister is named Portia and she doesn’t have the touch of creating strong unions but is eager to improve. How do I make a believable character that has many flaws she needs to overcome?
I write across and genre (picture book, early chapter book (Branches-styled books), and memoir. Right now, I have links to each “voice” on my website with a disclaimer that my memoir voice is very different from that which I use for kidlit. Is this a mistake? Should I completely separate the two and potentially use a pseudonym for picture books? My first PB will be published next year, so I feel like I need to make that decision soon.
What do you think of making the villain related to the main character? (Like a brother) Do you think it’s too over done and a cliche?
When doing a character’s backstory, is jumping between past to present doable, or is it just too confusing for a reader to follow? I have a character that is no longer alive, but my main character does not know this yet (it’s the twist in the end). To make my dead character feel like he’s still alive my novel switches between present and past. What’s the best way to make this flow or is this something to stay away from and find a new direction in explaining his death?
Do you think that there is still a place for omniscient voice in Middle Grade or Young Adult?
Any advice for a character who starts out as timid and fearful, then grows into herself by becoming the strongest and best in the series? I don’t want the readers to write her off as wimpy or boring when she has such an incredible journey ahead. She has a lot of growing to do with the readers.
I just want to fangrrl over how awesome Paper Magician was. Fabulous conversation & insight from everyone! 🙂
How do you guys develop your character’s backstories?
Thanks — I’ve very briefly had another character tell his backstory so that we understand why a “good” character fell in love with him.
What are some good ways of dealing with a main character that’s unintentionally a Mary Sue, and transforming her into a more likable/realistic character?