Your tips

[James]

-Hey
Use this thread to post your writing tips for other users to improve their skills. People who are helpful will be rewarded with a cookie! This thread will be checked regularly by staff.
So happy helping!

[Sophie]

The Sophie Guide to Successful Stories - Part I

1.Characters
Make them believeable. And by that, I don't mean just your main character. Even minor characters need to be real. Consistency is key. You can't, for example, have a teacher that lets your MC off for throwing paper but gives a detention to someone else for flicking a rubber.

Your MC is the most important person, but that doesn't mean they have to be God. In fact, perfect MCs (unless you're writing a Stepford Wives-style universe) are boring. Have them go out and get drunk once in a while, and a killer hangover the next day so they phone in sick to work. Have them lie to their parents about where they're going. It makes them real, and it makes them interesting.

2.Names
Isabella Carolina Daniels-Howe is a street child. I bet you're thinking, what? Names need to fit characters, but I don't mean look up a baby name site for names' meaning and apply them to character's traits. How many people actually fit their name's meaning? But you can use it for inspiration to fit the character's background, race and religion when naming.

Fantasy names are the worst. Make sure it's obvious to the reader how you say it. 'Elwyn', for example, is obvious. 'Mykoh', though, could be 'Mike-o, Mick-o, or My-ko. And Sarabiallica is just plain stupid. When making up names, think about how names change. 'Ann' gives 'Anna' and 'Hannah'; 'John, Hans and Ivan' all have the same root. Best way to name a fantasy character is to pick an existing name and change it syllable by syllable. Eg Sarah > Syrah > Syree. Future name, but not as though you've just let your cat wander over your keyboard.




More soon, if you want them.