Creating Memorable Characters

Developing a character is the most important element to writing a good story. You can have an interesting idea, with a workable plot. Then add conflict to move the story along. But without great believable (life like) characters, your story will lose the readers interest. You need to understand and know your characters as if they were a close friend or a member of your family. Taking the time to work up a character sheet will polish your writing.

You can begin with a few traits or a full detailed character sheet. The more you get to know your character, the better it will make a strong and interesting Hero and Heroine. It’s up to each writer how much she wants to know about secondary characters. It depends if those characters play more of a major role throughout the story.

My characters usually have a first and last name. I look for a picture to fit each character. Physical appearances such as the color of eyes, hair, color of their skin and body structure. Their likes and dislikes, what activities they enjoy. Back history lets the reader know where they have been in their past and what makes them do the things they do now.

Writing a character chart can be as in-depth as you want it to be. The point I want to make, is know your characters well. The more interesting and enthusiastic the character is, it will speak volumes making your story the best it can be.

There are many examples on the web for writing a character sheet, here are a few to get you started:
Using Character Sheets in Fiction Writing
http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-Character-Sheets-in-Fiction-Writing&id=573563

How to write an Effective Character Sheet
http://www.ehow.com/how_2311956_write-effective-character-sheet.html

-Sharon.