Fantasy: July 23, 2008 Issue [#2514]
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Fantasy


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  Edited by: Prosperous Snow celebrating Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Two of the most important characters in any story are the protagonist and the antagonist, without one or both of these characters in some form no story exists.


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

I have heard of several different ways to create a character. One of the most interesting and intriguing is to use astrology. When using this method the writer chooses a birthday for the character, using the day and the hour of the presumed birth of the character. Then you check the horoscope symbols for that date and time. The strengths and weaknesses for that sign are the strengths and weaknesses of the protagonist or the antagonist.

Create a character attributes sheet or sketch for each important character in the story or novel. This attribute sheet contains the basic information of physical appearance, sun and moon signs, strengths and weaknesses (taken from the astrology signs), history (information from my last newsletter can be included in this), and anything else the writer desires.

Every culture on Earth has astrology symbols, which the writer can incorporate into his or her story. Even if the story takes place on another planet or in another dimension, an author can used this method. In addition, it does not matter if the writer believes in astrology or even know much about it because the Internet has a great deal of information on this subject. I know this because I have created characters using this method.

I took a class a couple of years ago and one of the assignments was to use the horoscope to create two characters a protagonist and an antagonist. I found all the information I needed on the Internet to create these two characters for a science fiction story.

By using the sun and moon signs of the character, the writer can create a will rounded hero or antihero. If the story takes place on somewhere else besides Earth then do research on the Zodiac signs of other cultures and incorporate their strengths and weaknesses into the character.



Editor's Picks

Here are some stories with interesting characters


 Awakening Open in new Window. (E)
Happily ever after 'aint all its cracked up to be.
#1441642 by Amaranth Author IconMail Icon

 Happiness Open in new Window. (E)
This is a story that problematizes the out-of-control tendency to control life and thought
#1441990 by MT Author IconMail Icon

 Universe Open in new Window. (13+)
What if the door you shouldn't open is satisfyingly loose?
#1442617 by MightyGrape Author IconMail Icon


Related stories with interesting characters


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Part of a larger work


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Character Sketches


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Contests and Challenges


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Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B085272J6B
Product Type: Kindle Store
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99


Ask & Answer

mlarsen05
Excellent! Lord Raglan's archetypical hero characteristics are invaluable, especially when writing fantasy. This is the first time to cut and paste something from a newsletter for my own reference. Thanks a bunch, Snow.

Maimai J Saves for Upgrade Author Icon
So there is a pattern to follow you make a character sketch of your hero? In fairness, most of the characteristics can be found in the characters of earlier fantasy stories. Thanks for the newsletter and more power!

Yes, those characteristics early fantasy stories and in myths of many cultures.


I am wondering how the readers create the characters for their stories.
Snow

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