What is a main character? How are main characters and protagonists different? Read 6 tips to create a more memorable central character.

Stories with large casts of characters offer many challenges. Use these ten important rules of thumb to you help you manage your own teeming call sheets.

Use this post from Writers Write, your one-stop writing resource, to explore the 12 common character archetypes and how writers can use them.

First of all, we want culturally diverse characters. But more importantly, we want to create organic representations of culturally diverse characters. So how do we do this without coming off unreal…

How to write vivid, compelling characters. Insights from fantasy author Frank LaVoie.

During Preptober, it's important to outline and develop your character list. Here's how I invest quality time with my NaNoWriMo cast of characters:

These black and white photographs were taken by LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt from the grounds of Pilgrim State Hospital on Long Island, New York in 1938. They are remarkable for the way they blend clear-eyed reporting with an almost palpable compassion. But what is perhaps most unsettling about the images is how terribly familiar they look. The treatment of mental illness—in all its confounding varieties and degrees—has come a long, long way since the 1930s, and in most countries is now immeasurably more humane, comprehensive and discerning than the brutal approaches of even a few decades ago. Advancements in psychiatric medications alone have helped countless people lead fuller lives than they might have without drugs. And yet... the grim, desolate tone of the pictures in this gallery will feel eerily contemporary to anyone familiar with psych wards in countless large hospitals today. (Photos: Alfred Eisenstaedt—Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

We talked about the story arc and how the general shape can alert the writer to structural problems. Now let’s discuss another sort of arc–the character arc. At the outset of a project, you may only have a loose idea of how you intend for your protagonist and supporting cast to change and grow over […]

So today I want to talk about dealing with a massive cast of character. I am talking about main and secondary characters (not the odd village baker passing through a random scene never to be heard…

Let me say this: writing a book is no walk in the park. Anyone who says otherwise hasn't done it properly. When it comes to penning a novel, you've got to learn how to balance the fine art of storytelling with the fine art of staying sane. Yes. I said sane. We artists are often solitary folks and, unfortunately, some of us have had dreadful endings. (Edgar Allen Poe, anyone?) But hey, not all of us are like that. I'm very happy with being a writer. It's hard, but it's wonderful. It's challenging, but what's life without a challenge, right? One of the most interesting challenges that I learned to face over the years is balancing a cast of characters and supporting characters in my novels. If you have too many characters, it deprives the reader of getting to know your supporting cast - and character development is one of the key aspects of crafting a good story. If you don't have enough characters, the reader can get bored. So how do you find that perfect balance? Simplicity and strategy! Set a limit. I've heard it said that there shouldn't be more than seven to ten supporting characters in a novel. This can be true, but it's not something that's set in stone. Look at Harry Potter. Yeah. Way more than ten characters, and plenty of character development. But the basis of the idea is absolutely correct: don't have too many characters. Find the seven to ten core players of your story and focus on developing them. Everyone else is peripheral. Don't get complicated. Like I said before, focus on developing your main players. Show some growth and changes. The best thing that you can do for yourself is to give each character a purpose. Ask yourself: what is this person adding to the story? Knowledge? Comic relief? A valuable nugget of information that will conveniently give our hero the upper hand? Know beforehand, and it will make everything else easier. Give them something special. The reader should consistently be reminded of who a character is - and you can do this by giving the character something that makes them unique and memorable. For example: "He had an ugly red scar across his eye." Dramatic? Yes. Weird. Okay, yes. But memorable, right? Later on in the book when you're mentioning that same character, remind your reader who you're talking about by talking about that characteristic: "His scar looked grotesque in the light of the moon." Your reader will think, Ah, yes. That's right. He had a scar. Now I remember who we're talking about... Make it easy. Show a change. I mentioned this before, but let's face it: if you want drama and emotion - which is the very essence of writing - you've got to show your reader that your characters have changed somehow. Whether it's getting over a fear of heights or learning to forgive someone dark and sinister from their past, something should shift from the first page to the last. And if you're writing a series, something should change in each book. Don't be mean. Okay, listen. I'm a writer, and I understand better than anybody the temptation to kill off characters in order to lighten the character load. Kill somebody off? Great! You don't have to worry about writing them into your story anymore. Let me just say this: if your character dies, it better add to the story - not take away from it. It should give someone motivation, or bring about character growth, etc. You get my point. Don't be mean to your characters unless there's a really, really good reason for it. Cast the stereotypes. Yes. There are different sorts of roles for different sorts of characters. The brainiac? Check. The love interest? Double check. The conveniently placed witness to a murder? Triple check. Every book contains a certain number of characters doing a predetermined duty that will contribute to the end result of the novel. Fill those roles appropriately. Better yet, if you're a first-time novelist, this might be helpful: take your favorite books and grab a sheet of paper. List the characters and ask yourself what role they play. Do it enough times with enough books and you'll start to see a pattern of character roles emerge. The great thing about writing is that you can teach yourself everything you need to know about the craft with practice. It's like practicing an Olympic sport. Do it over and over again, study all you can and absorb wisdom and advice like a sponge. Make every word count. Share:facebook - twitter - pinterest How To: Balance a BIG Cast of Characters

Childrens’ shows are supposed to make you feel good—because they’re made for kids, after all. They’re usually lighthearted, fun, and colorful, with bursts of teachable moments and life lessons. But some scenes shattered our hearts into a million pieces. Who knew shows made for kids could have such emotional endings and gut-punching scenes? So get those tissue boxes ready and prepare to cry all over again, as we go on a trip down memory lane with the most heartbreaking and emotional scenes from our favorite childhood programs.

Plot your novel for NaNoWriMo with this comprehensive workbook! You'll instantly receive a PDF file to download. Print copies of the entire workbook or specific pages you need. This workbook includes: ☆ Know Your Why ☆ Milestones Reward ☆ Novel Planning Dates & Wordcount ☆ Visual Tracker ☆ Inspiration Board ☆ Foundation of a Story ☆ Brainstorm Story Ideas ☆ Narrow Down Your Story ☆ Plotting Your Book ☆ Creating Characters ☆ Cast of Characters List ☆ Character Development: Protagonist ☆ Character Development: Antagonist ☆ Character Development sheets ☆ Setting Guide ☆ Setting sheets ☆ Crafting the Plot ☆ Act 1 ☆ Act II ☆ Act III ☆ Chapter List ☆ Chapter Outlines ☆ Revision Stage ☆ Revision Notes ☆ Plot Issues ☆ Brainstorm Titles ☆ Writing a Blurb ☆ Book Cover ☆ Notes

How can you avoid overwhelming your novel with character backstory, while also using it to write interesting, well-developed characters? The key is balance.

Your character introduction sets the stage for whatever relationship that blossoms after. Here's how to do it right.

Gabriel Picolo is a Brazilian artist and illustrator known for his ability to give a fresh perspective to beloved DC Comics characters. He gained recognition for his "Teen Titans" fan art series, which reimagined the characters in a more modern and relatable way. This series went viral and led to him collaborating with DC Comics on graphic novels like "Teen Titans: Raven", "Teen Titans: Beast Boy" and his newest addition to the series, "Teen Titans: Robin".

This jacket and its matching skirt pay homage to the famous Dior's 'New Look' of 1947. The 'New Look' hailed a completely new silhouette and become the iconic 1950s wasp waist and full skirt shape of the decade. This supremely elegant 1950s style jacket creates this stunning silhouette via creating strong shoulders and a nipped in waist. This is created by shoulder pads and a peplum. The jacket is tailored to give a flattering deep plunge neckline, slightly raised to hug the neck and fastens with 7 covered buttons. Peplum style further creates that nipped in look by enhancing the hip. Long sleeves and bodice and sleeves are fully lined. This jacket has been carefully crafted by skilled machinists from Yorkshire, England in a heavy crepe fabric and lined in top quality viscose satin. Pairs with the 1950s Premium Circle Skirt - but also goes great with Hepburn Pants for a trouser suit look! Key features:-- long sleeves- 7 covered button fastening down centre front-  lined- peplumApproximate measurements size UK 10:Length of jacket from back of neck to waist seam - 42.5cmLength of sleeve from shoulder seam - 59cm Fabric: Outer: Viscose, poly, elastene heavy crepeInner: 100% acetateProudly made in Great Britain **NB - we can only try to represent colours accurately - but monitor settings vary. So please bear this in mind if you are colour matching

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the number of characters in your story? This article will help you to handle a large cast of characters the right way.

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