The year of delving into characters and what makes them tick continues.
Some of us have elected to create a fictional character and show different sides of his or her nature over the course of several months. These "episodes" need not adhere to the traits inherent in each monthly pair of opposites the rest of the writers are portraying. A project still in the thinking stage is to compile these stories into an e-book to be published on Kindle next year. We have so far:
Ex-prostitute turned socialite/business owner in 1800's San Francisco
Local ex-nun who becomes a family woman
Vigilante cop who is jailed for offing those who slip through the legal system
Professor who violates both code of ethics and law
And hopefully more to be created! There's still time to do this, writers...
For August 11, those who are sticking to the "opposites" theme will write about either an OLD PERSON or a YOUTH. This hopefully needs no explanation, yet it may be a challenge to depict your characters' personalities rather than describe their appearance or activities. What makes an old person...old? How did he or she turn out to be a curmudgeon, altruist, entrepreneur, artist, or criminal? On the other hand, what traits are already showing up in a youth, that will develop as he/she matures? Ponder long and hard about these matters before you write. It is often helpful to write a "backstory"...fictional 'facts' about the person you will invent that will bear on what the story is about.
Even better: combine the August challenge with the ongoing character you're developing!
Questions? Ask them in the comment section below, and we will do our best to enlighten you. As always, word limit is approximately 500, or one side of a printed page, with a minimum 11 point font. Bring copies so others can read along with you (10 is a good number).
See you on the 11th of August!
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