\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6326-When-Characters-Take-Over.html
Mystery: May 21, 2014 Issue [#6326]

Newsletter Header
Mystery


 This week: When Characters Take Over
  Edited by: Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

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

Quote for the week:
“I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of. ”
― Joss Whedon


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B07YXBT9JT
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99


Letter from the editor

Have you ever read a story with characters who were so realistic that you forgot they were fiction? Every writer tries to develop lifelike characters, but occasionally, when you succeed, something unexpected happens. They try to take over the story. The sidekick may become the main character, or the hero's love interest may become the villain. Or minor character who was supposed to be the first to die might say. "I'm way too tough to die from a little old bullet wound. I want to survive to help the detectives catch the killer."

When characters develop minds of their own, you have a few choices:

Try to force the character to do things your way: Be careful if you try to do this.You wouldn't try to force a family member or friend to be a different person, so don't do it to a character. Re-evaluate your plot and characterization. If the character does not fit into your plot plan, you may be trying to make the character do something unrealistic. For example, your plot may depend on a smart character doing something stupid without a good reason or explanation.

Rewrite the story changing or expanding the character's role: Do this only if it improves the story. This may require extensive rewriting, but if the changes improve the story, it will be worth it.

Save this character for another story Even a great character will not be appropriate for every story. Maybe the character no longer fits in to the current story, but might be perfect for another one.

Be careful about killing off characters unless you are sure you will not need them later. If your story is a murder mystery, of course there will need to be deaths, but don't kill off anyone who is worth more to the story alive. An author friend decided to spare a character she had planned to kill off, and most of her readers say that character is their favorite!


Something to try: Choose a minor character from one of your stories, and write another story with him/her as the main character.



Editor's Picks

 NURSERY RHYMES Open in new Window. (13+)
A detective cracks a case thanks to a parrot
#521973 by Joy Author IconMail Icon


 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1319136 by Not Available.


Quaint Open in new Window. (18+)
A life between two realms.
#1109186 by P. A. Matthews/E. A. Irwin Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
FORUM
Twisted Tales Contest Open in new Window. (13+)
A monthly contest for stories with a twist. Get 500 GPs for entering! Dec round open!
#1269187 by Arakun the twisted raccoon Author IconMail Icon


Image Protector
STATIC
Reflection of the Night Open in new Window. (13+)
Very Short Story About Tolerance Written for W/C Contest 2003
#637654 by ♥Ho Ho HOOves♥ Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: B07N36MHWD
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99


Ask & Answer

Question for next time: Who is the best character you have ever created and why?

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B01IEVJVAG
Amazon's Price: $ 9.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/6326-When-Characters-Take-Over.html