Killer characters to grab and paste into your first mystery are all around you.
A detailed how to guide on constructing the cast of characters needed to enliven your first whodunit or thriller
Techniques for getting into the mind and lives of your characters, and the craft of creating them
The basic set of characters
- The hero, your protagonist sleuth/detective, the star of the show
- The villain (the killer/antagonist)
- 3 red herrings (suspects who are eliminated in the investigation)
- A confidante, perhaps a partner, or a possible love interest
- Supporting characters for the above set of characters to play off of, i.e. witnesses to the crime and experts (forensic people, financial analysts, FBI, etc.)
˃˃˃ Character Sketches, Character Names, and Title
Motivations and ways to reveal character - physical, the setting, emotional
20 Questions to help create your characters
˃˃˃ Before You Send it Off or Publish It
Answer these questions: So What? Oh really? Huh?
Check your story arc
˃˃˃ Complete a manuscript that you look at with pride and a sense of self-satisfaction.
No one else can tell the story you have in your head but you.
character writing, story arc, protagonist, antagonist, character sketches, show not tell, dialogue, profanity, character speech, love scenes, character dilemmas, character conflicts, love interest, writing opposite sex, character motivations, tells, character traits