The Prize We Sought
The Prize We Sought
The Prize We Sought
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

The Prize We Sought

This is a creative writing + art community for anyone and everyone. Welcome in!
 
HomeLatest imagesSearchRegisterLog in
Welcome to the Prize We Sought! Be sure to check out our sister role-playing site, pathlesstraveled.forumotion.com!
The winner of May's writing contest is MaybeiwasOddandOdd! Be sure to enter August's contest!

 

 Killing Mary Sue

Go down 
AuthorMessage
pjkio03
Admin
pjkio03


Posts : 133
Join date : 2014-05-09
Age : 28
Location : Somewhere in the US

Killing Mary Sue Empty
PostSubject: Killing Mary Sue   Killing Mary Sue Icon_minitimeWed May 14, 2014 11:33 am

For those of you who don't know, "Mary Sue" is a term used to describe a flat character. The ideal character is one that comes off the paper. Their personality needs to be believable. Even if you're writing fantasy and your character is a troll, he or she needs to have depth. 

Alright, so first things first: the idea for the character.
Here are some ways to get inspired:

People-Watch
Don't be creepy, but just examine the people around you. Observe their actions and mannerisms. How do they speak? Do they seem intelligent? Maybe they're wearing a wedding ring. What is their partner like? Their relationship? The questions you can ask about the person next to you are infinite. 

Newspapers
Okay, maybe they're a little out-of-date, but newspapers cover everyday people in interesting situations. What do you think made that man commit that robbery? Maybe he's a single father and has three children to feed. What will happen to him now? What will happen to his kids? You can also get ideas from the obituaries, too. Read what their family thought of them. Oh, so he was a devoted christian and loved children. Maybe you could write about how he came to God, or why he likes kids. Or, for a more twisted twist, maybe his family has him all wrong. Maybe this church-going family man was a crack addict or a murderer who buried his guilt in going to church and caring for children. 
Remember: Though the names and maybe situations are real, the characters you invent aren't. It doesn't matter if the person is/was nothing like you imagine. You're just making your own person off of a template that you've been given.

Names
Picture a man named Richard, a man named Thomas, and a man named Elijah. Completely different pictures, right? Just pick up a phonebook and look through. Jen, Aisha, and Monica are totally different pictures in your head. Another way I like to find names is going through old cemeteries. I've always had a taste for older names. 

Use Your Existing Characters to Make More
Okay, so you made Richard and he's a murderer that goes to church and likes kids. Which particular kids? Maybe Elijah is his little nephew whose innocence makes Richard believe that maybe everything will be okay. Maybe he can be forgiven. Who's his preacher? His preacher's family? Maybe Richard's preacher, Thomas, is married to a woman named Jen who is the perfect mother to their daughter, Monica, who Richard dotes on. 

Do you see what I mean?

I'll post developing characters separately. I don't want a wall of text to be too distracting.
Back to top Go down
https://prizewesought.forumotion.com
pjkio03
Admin
pjkio03


Posts : 133
Join date : 2014-05-09
Age : 28
Location : Somewhere in the US

Killing Mary Sue Empty
PostSubject: Re: Killing Mary Sue   Killing Mary Sue Icon_minitimeWed May 14, 2014 11:37 am

To develop a character, give them traits and aspects to their lives. Here's a template for creating your character. You can add whatever you like to it if you decide to use it, and you can take away some of it, too. 

 -What's the character's job?


- What's the character's family like?


- Is the character in a relationship?  What's his or her partner like?


- What is the character's home like?  His or her neighborhood?


- Does your character have hobbies? What does he or she enjoy doing?


- What are your character's greatest strengths?


- What are his or her greatest weaknesses?


- What is his/her deepest desire?


- What is his/her greatest fear?


- What is something this character desperately wants to change about himself or herself?


- What is something this character doesn't know about himself or herself?




You aren't necessarily going to use all of this information, but it helps to develop the character and give them depth. It will also help you in writing them, because you'll understand them better.
Back to top Go down
https://prizewesought.forumotion.com
pjkio03
Admin
pjkio03


Posts : 133
Join date : 2014-05-09
Age : 28
Location : Somewhere in the US

Killing Mary Sue Empty
PostSubject: Re: Killing Mary Sue   Killing Mary Sue Icon_minitimeThu May 15, 2014 8:44 am

I found a great link with a bunch of character templates for various different types of characters here.
Back to top Go down
https://prizewesought.forumotion.com
Sponsored content





Killing Mary Sue Empty
PostSubject: Re: Killing Mary Sue   Killing Mary Sue Icon_minitime

Back to top Go down
 
Killing Mary Sue
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
The Prize We Sought  :: The Ocean :: Tips and Lessons-
Jump to: