How To-11: "How to Create a Convincing Character For Your Story"

How to Create a Convincing Character For Your Story

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An editor has suggested that this article be merged with: "How to SpecialCreate Believable Characters" Per the merge policy, if these topics are determined to be similar but distinct, then the articles will remain separate. Please comment on the discussion page. Notice added on 2008-02-27.
When writing a story, a convincing character is a must. Make sure you know your character before you start your story.

Steps

1. Get a file folder for your character. You want to know everything about her/him.
   
2. What does she/he look like? Look online for 'face makers' or, if you have a Sims game, make your character on that and take several screen shots. Put pictures of your character in their file.
   
3. What are the essentials? What is very important in their life? If you can, make a fake birth certificate for your character. It's fun, and its a good reference for the person's birthday, time of birth, etc.
   
4. Once you have the essentials down, start interviewing your character. How does she/he look at the world? If you're basing it on someone, use their answers. Or, if you're just not good at creating people from scratch, use a combination of several people you know.
   
5. Make sure that all the aspects of your character have been written up and stuck into the folder.
   
6. Start your story with a strong, convincing character!
   

Tips

• Don't do it all in one day. It can take weeks, maybe even a month, before you well and truly know your character.
  
• Make your character believable. For instance, a grandmother wouldn't say 'That's cool' or 'Sweet!'. She'd say 'That's nice'. etc. Believable characters would not always be mean, or happy or sad. Use a variety of feelings and traits.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Develop a Character
  
• How to Create a Fictional Character from Scratch
  
• How to Create Great Characters
  
• How to Create Believable Characters
  
• How to Write Fiction
  

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