Write Deep, Believable Characters - Karyn Henley

As writers of fiction, we have godlike power to create worlds and populate them with beings. It's a delicious feeling when we've done it successfully. Successfully, of course, is the key word. We have to know our characters' desires, fears, beliefs, and motivations – the deep traits that persuade readers to follow imaginary people as if they were real flesh and blood. Since a believable story depends not only on who your characters are but also why, this book is a study in motivation and how to use it to create plot. Part One examines emotional, mental, moral, and spiritual norms of each stage of human development, guiding you to believable backstory and traits that make your characters act their age. Part Two looks at motivation through the lens of personality, including fears and controlling beliefs, based on the nine-type model known as the Enneagram. Part Three shows how to use your fully fleshed out characters to create plot and scene – or to solidify it if you're revising – for the greatest emotional impact. Make the imaginary come to life. Write Deep, Believable Characters.