Characters Essays

Every character has one, but writing a backstory is not always as easy as it sounds.

How do you create humorous characters? Here is a step-by-step guide to help you make a start.

A series looking at common storytelling tropes in literature. This essay looks at absent parents, and how to use, avoid or subvert them.

Finding character names can present considerable challenges. Here are a few tips to help you to surmount those hurdles.

A series looking at common tropes in storytelling. This essay looks at kicking the dog and how to use or avoid it.

A series looking at common tropes in storytelling. This essay looks at Mary Sues and how to use, avoid, or subvert them.

A series looking at common tropes in storytelling. This essay looks at The Chosen One and how to use, avoid, or subvert it.

Characters are more than the sum of their parts, and so to understand them you must know them as well as yourself.

A series exploring storytelling techniques. This essay looks at hamartia as a plot device, and how to effectively use it.

A story wouldn’t be worth telling without a protagonist undergoing a character arc of some kind. Here are the four different types.