The biggest challenge writers face is creating a work of literature that is understandable to readers. Often, we'll get so lost in the story we know in our heads that we assume the reader will know exactly what we are writing about or trying to say. But that's just not the case. The reader only knows what you tell them/show them.
Outline the Relationships Between Your Characters
Getting lost in translation happens most when it comes to navigating the relationships of your characters. You know how they interact with each other, why Emma loves Tom, and how important Adam's friendship is to Macy. Usually, these things are fueled by the small things that end up meaning everything in your story.
But if you never make clear what these small things are, there will be no path for your readers to follow. Instead of it being an epic story of love, it turns into a criticized story of "Why does she even want him anyway."
One of the easiest ways to execute character development is by using dialogue.
If you're having trouble bringing to life character relationships, think about a television show. When scriptwriters make it a point to build relationships, the story becomes more believable. Building relationships starts with small things over a long period.
For example, let's talk about Star Trek: DSN. Whether you liked the show or not, the writers did an excellent job of building the relationships between the characters Julian and O'Brien. These best friends started out as two crew members who couldn't stand each other. Then, we have an event that brings them closer, and throughout the episodes, you find them scheduling lunch dates, returning borrowed items, playing a sport together...
These interactions are on screen for just a few seconds, but when you see them enough, it drives the point across, hey, these guys are not just friends, they're really best friends. This is the proper alternative to just saying, "Julian and O'Brien are best friends."
It is by far one of the most effective ways to build relationships in stories. While the same was attempted in Star Trek: Voyager between Paris and Ensign Harry Kim, it seemed forced and artificial. Sometimes all you need is a few seconds of interaction here and there to get the point across.
Attach Your Characters to Items and Places
Bring life into your characters. Don't just give them personalities. Here are a few things you can highlight to properly build your character's life:
State Your Emotions
Sometimes, it's not necessary to state that Sarah is sad; it's enough to just explain the look she made when she saw whatever it was that made her feel that way. But, sometimes, you should complement those descriptions with a clear statement of how your character feels. This makes it easier for readers to stay with the storyline.
Attach Your Characters to Items and Places
Bring life into your characters. Don't just give them personalities. Here are a few things you can highlight to properly build your character's life:
- Where they grew up
- What their favorite places are
- Their goals
- Where they'd love to live
- Types of scenery they like
- Who their favorite person is
- What items they are attached to
- Their routines
- Foods they hate/like
- People they hate/like
- What is currently making them stressed/happy
- Where do they hang out? With who? Since when? How Often?
State Your Emotions
Sometimes, it's not necessary to state that Sarah is sad; it's enough to just explain the look she made when she saw whatever it was that made her feel that way. But, sometimes, you should complement those descriptions with a clear statement of how your character feels. This makes it easier for readers to stay with the storyline.
Although you feel you are explaining her emotions correctly, remember, as we stated in section one, you already know the story and how she feels, your reader is discovering them for the first time.
Write for the Correct Audience
Audiences are unique blankets of readers, and depending on the story, your words will resonate with different groups just based on the experiences you're writing about. Writers often struggle with how to write for specific audiences. This requires a bit of research to get to know your target audience.
When writing for specific demographics, make sure you're diving into their cultural, familial, racial, and gender-specific experiences. This is the only way to write relevant content for that group.
There is nothing worse than sitting down to read a book or article that seems like it's meant for you on the surface only to find out three paragraphs in that it was written by a charlatan who knows nothing of your struggles!
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