Countdown to NaNoWriMo, Step One: Characters

Pick a title for your soon to be creation because you will have to put it in your profile :)

Now, quick establish your main characters. Here are some tips to get started.

Look to people around you and steal borrow their personality traits.

Use media outlets like your blog, Facebook, or Twitter to get opinions of others. Feel free to steal borrow their ideas.

Google is your best friend. So, don't be afraid to Google until your fingers come off about personality traits. A whole slew of them pop up, and can help you get a feel for how your character will be.

How about those type A and type B personalities.

If you're really stuck then stick to the basic-ya know- the bad boy vs good girl, opposites attract, the tortured soul, the mean girl, the bully, the princess and so on. You can always multi-layer their personality and change it by the end of those 50,000 words.

AND if all else fails get ten pieces of paper. Write your favorite characters of all times from shows or movies that you would die without watching again. Fold it. Put it in a hat and pull one out and use it!

I told you quality is getting thrown out the window but I warn you if you are serious about the story good luck with revisions bawhahaha!

My NaNoWriMo
Name: Kiss of Death
Characters: Aiden the lost soul vs Bee the free spirit
Words: 0/50000
user name: kerri192804

Character Goals, Motivations, & Conflict

Everyone has their own secret formula when writing.  There is no write right or wrong way. Here is mine. I start with my favorite part: characters, personalities, and names.  Up next I establish the characters goals, motivations, and conflict.  I think this is just as fun as playing with baby goats.  Okay, so if you're not a goat person we can insert puppies or kitties.  If you're not a puppy and kitty person insert snakes and lizards.

Goal- n. 1.object of ambition or effort; destination    (What your character wants)

Motive- n. 1. thing that induces a person to act in a particular way; incentive   (What makes them go after their goal)

Conflict- n. 1a. a state of opposition b; fight struggle v. 2. clash; be incompatible (What is going to get in their way)

When thinking about my characters goals and motivation I factor in their past history, personality, and their internal conflicts.  Throw in some external conflict and we have some good drama going on!

Let's play with the classic boy wants girl scenario....

                     
Meet the boy who wants the pretty girl. We will call him Bob.  Bob is insecure chews on pencils and resents his parents.

Throw in some conflict, a wizard. He seeks him out to change him into a hunk.              

                                                                   
                                                                        and more conflict a wolf who wants him for dinner.

Don't forget the boy's motivation. Megan Fox. Oh la la.

 Some internal conflict.  I am a lion hear me ROAR!

Yea, it's kinda like that!  Hmmm let's hope Bob finds the wizard while avoiding the wolf.  Will Bob get the girl or continue to chew his pencils for the rest of his life.  Roar Bob roar!  You can do it!

So tell me where do you start with a newbie story?