Character One
Dave Munk
Sometimes secondary characters are flat and stale. This can create an odd balance in the story which will tip the reader towards the alright-I’m-kinda-bored side of the scale. There are many ways to develop characters, all of which can be used for main characters and secondary characters. For example, you can interview them or write their back story. But I suggest one exercise that can truly benefit the secondary cast in a story: write a scene or two from the perspective of the minor character. Learn how the he thinks and reacts. What does he pay attention to? What things in his environment does he recognize? What does he feel and how does he describe it? What are his motivations? How does he view the others around him? As you get to know your minor characters they will become interesting. Dialogue will improve and the sense of place will be enhanced. And most important, people will want to continue reading.
Character Two
Tamara Leatham Bailey
When I fall in love with a book, it is because I adore the main character. That character becomes my BFF. I don’t want our time together to end. I can’t resist turning the page, but I never want to turn the last one. So, why is the thing that I love deeply in my favorite books the aspect of writing that, for me, remains one of Scooby-Doo’s unsolved mysteries.
One component that I’ve studied to strengthen character is giving the character an objective. Each character must want something, and that character’s actions are determined by her goal. For example Velma Dinkley, in the Scooby Doo series, wants to solve mysteries, so she asks questions and searches for clues.
Besides a story objective, the character must have a ruling passion. That passion is the central, motivating force that drives the character. The driving force may be to be loved, revenge, or to protect themselves and others. Velma is ruled by her passion to be a genius.
Whatever the ruling passion, it must be powerful and unchanging, enough to motivate the character throughout the story, or stories.
For Velma, it has motivated her for forty-six years.
Throwing Up Words 