The 8 Necessary Character Roles in Fiction

You have the onerous task of creating a world, filling it with believable characters, and telling a damn good story. Hey, nobody said writing a story was easy.

I’ve written about Worldbuilding before, in 3 parts here, here, and here. Today, I want to introduce you to 8 necessary roles needed to flesh out your characters.

The 8 Necessary Character Roles:

Protagonist: Usually the main character. This is the character with a problem that

must be solved, but to do so must get past or through a series of obstacles.

Antagonist: This is the character working directly against your protagonist. Many times, the antagonist is just as able as your main character, and many times his or her exact opposite. For the antagonist to remain compelling, he or she must have as much care taken in creating a backstory, reasoning, and desires as the protagonist.

Mentor: Plays the “outside conscience” of your protagonist. His or her voice encapsulates the lesson of the story as well as the theme. While it may be tempting to make the mentor perfect, there is great drama available when the teacher/ moral compass is also flawed.

Tempter: This is the antagonist’s right hand. The tempter spends his or her time manipulating your protagonist away from the story goal or to go against the theme you’re presenting in the story. While this sounds like the job of the antagonist (and very well can be*), having another character who is part of your protagonist’s close group can prove just as exciting, and again, there is drama to be found here.

Sidekick: Throughout the course of your story, your protagonist should come against incredible odds. The sidekick can have several jobs. The main one is being an unwavering ally to your protagonist, through thick and thin. While the sidekick can (and should) become frustrated with your main character’s decisions at some point, he or she will never leave your protagonist’s side. Another job is to be the comedic relief. If your story is super serious, the sidekick can provide an injection of laughter, or give a ray of hope in bleak times. Yet another job the sidekick can provide is giving your protagonist access to a secondary set of skills. For example, your main character is a master thief? Maybe his or her sidekick has an in to high society, where your master thief can thrive.

Skeptic: This is the lone objector to the protagonist’s method(s). He or she does not believe in the theme of your story, nor the importance of your protagonist. In fact, unless there are previous or built-up loyalties to the protagonist, the skeptic may well go his or her own way. It’s even possible the skeptic wants your main character to succeed, but not at the cost of their own goal(s).

The Emotional: This is the character that reacts with his or her gut. This means being reactive and impulsive, sometimes succeeding in ways that a thinking character would never try. This also means they can find trouble by not thinking ahead.

The Logic: This character is a rational thinker who prefers to plan things out ahead of time. Answers with a matter-of-fact attitude, and usually knows more than he or she lets on. Has trouble considering things from an emotional angle.

A Little Extra That Helps Me:

Now you know the 8 main roles used in fiction. Keep in mind, there does not have to be a separate character for each role, but all 8 roles must be embodied somewhere. As for character creation itself, here is the template I use when beginning a new story:

Have fun, too!

Character Name:

Age:

Archetype: (please see the 12 Jungian archetypes, very helpful in determining goals) soulcraft.com

Quirks: I use three

Flaws: Three again

Skills: Make sure these help the character in the story

Thanks for reading, and much luck in your adventures!

James Neal writes fantasy, both novel-length (Of Blood and Blade) and shorter stories (Paints the Invisible Eye).

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A Modern-Day, True Story Fable: The Writer and the Real World

This post has proven one of the hardest I’ve written. Since the first American Dirt post, I’ve pointed my finger at the many problems I see within American politics, culture, and pop-culture. Many fine insights and allegories exist within the words written here. This time, I’m pointing the finger back at myself. In doing so, I’m revealing my fallibility.

I’m laughing too because, on my original (now defunct) blog, RoosterWords, I had no problem pointing the finger at me. I laid out every mistake I was making, hoping somebody else would read it and not make those same mistakes. I’m afraid to do that on American Dirt. I’m afraid, now, that a person will read about me and call me a fool. I’m afraid you will point your finger…at me.

See, I wanted to introduce myself and show how poignant my points can be. How I’ve learned to set each word to impact the reader, set their mind on fire, and get them thinking about the subject I’m writing about. Instead, it seems I’m setting myself on fire in the digital street.

Five years ago, I began taking my writing seriously. My novel’s first draft was near completion, and blogging was introduced to me. Despite having no idea what blogging “is,” I discovered I had a natural knack for writing “to” people rather than “at” people. Five years ago, I felt my writing would take me everywhere.

I finished that novel, Of Blood and Blade, posted on RoosterWords, and eventually started worrying about my “brand.” Y’know, that big, buzzy word that every corporation and celebrity knocks around? Yeah. So despite the fifteen people following my blog at the time, despite my words touching somebody enough to want to read more, I deleted RoosterWords. I pretended that fifteen people wanting to read my words wasn’t going to make or break me. Maybe I was right…I think now I was a horrible person, and wrong.

By this point, my “true” professional life was in the toilet. I worked for a Rent-to-Own company that I despised (and for the second time, mind you), and they treated me, and the rest of my coworkers, like rag dolls. There came a point, and this was about two years ago, where I’d had enough. The company managed to push me, a father of two, far enough to quit. That’s a story for another day. I called my fiancé, and told her I was done with this job. I told her I’d make money freelancing because goodness, I’m just so good with words.

So I stayed home, I got on the freelancing sites like Guru and Elance, wrote up offers and…and nothing happened. Literally nothing. And now, two years later, I still haven’t’ managed to hustle up some business. Well, I created two logos and a book cover that I actually got paid for, but not a dime for my freelancing. And, because of that, I can’t afford to buy the courses that could make me better. I’m not taking care of my family financially. I’m the deadbeat dad I promised I never would be.

It didn’t have to get this bad. I could have put my ego to the side, did what the experts say, and found a job to get me through “the rough patch.” A few family issues aside (my fiancé works overnights, childcare is $1600/mo, etc) I could have done better. But I thought I was a special snowflake, I thought that if I gave myself no other option, I would succeed. Maybe I special, but I certainly don’t feel it now.

So I’m getting a J-O-B. I’m going to continue blogging. I will write fiction I know is decent. But so far, I’m no freelancer. It’s time I stop acting like a freeloader, as well. Maybe, if I put my ego to the side for a bit, my writing could still take me everywhere. I've got some work ahead of me yet.

Now, you can point the finger at me, or join me in solidarity by commenting on your foibles below. Trust me, I’d love to know I’m not the only one.

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Worldbuilding for Storytellers: Part III

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Hello!  It’s good to see you back for Part 3 (of a 3 part series) on Wordbuilding.  If you managed to miss the previous discussions, get your ass over to Part 1 and Part 2 right now, so all of this makes some sense! (In the spirit of transparency, this post and series originally appeared on the now-defunct blog, RoosterWords)

Worldbuilding: Bane or Benign Exercise?

Writers love their worlds, especially those in fantasy and science fiction.  We have to- we live in them for long periods, soaking in the essence and different flavors we have derived of our own obsessive volition.  All of us must build these worlds, carefully, with great attention to the details.  For some writers, this is the best part of the writing process…creating something out of nothing, ignoring all laws of science, alchemy, and common sense.  For others, worldbuilding is the representation of long-running nightmares.  Where do you fit in?

The End?

You’ve come a long way.  The map to your dream world is in your hand (or on your desk, saved on your computer, whatever).  You’re proud of it, and so you should be.  Characters have a place to go, and a reason to go there.  What’s left?

The painting needs a finishing touch.  Something to protect it from the outside world and all its grubby fingers and damaging wear-and-tear.  A gloss or matte finish.  Maybe even some touchup paint in a few key areas.  Here are those five key areas to look at when you’ve built your perfect world:

1.     Races/Civilizations: Yes, you’ve probably been over this already.  However, this is your last chance before you begin drumming on your keyboard (writing with ink-stained fingers?) to ensure all your chosen races and/or civilizations are accounted for.  Make sure each has a place on your map, even if they aren’t quarantined there.  It’s also good to understand how each race will react to the others upon meeting in the story.  If they never do, that’s fine; but understanding how they WOULD will allow you to reference the reaction within your story.

2.     Changing World: Worlds change, even the real, solid earth we live and breathe on.  This is no less true in fiction, especially in fantasy or sci-fi worlds where things have a tendency of getting blown up in large chunks (read: continents).  If this will happen in your story, make sure you’ve got a way to acknowledge those changes on your map.  While the reader doesn’t necessarily need to know before it happens, the writer benefits greatly from the pre-determination.

3.     Series of Events: You should go back to your timeline and check for any nuisances or events which now seem out of order.  You know your world better now and there just may be a contingency, which a fan will later exploit (publicly or not).  Take the time now and be sure you know you history!

4.     Economic Oppression: One of the most difficult things I have had the displeasure of discovering is the economics of my regions.  Being that I work in fantasy, I have a hard time believing all my cultures use the same monetary system.  Creating an economy may come naturally for you.  If so, you just avoided hours of wide-eyed, psychotic cussing.  Y’know, the kind where everybody within two miles of you is wondering what the hell just happened?  No?  May just be my neurosis.  The point is, to remain relatively believable; you must have rich, poor, and middle “classes.”  This goes a long way towards endowing each person in your story with at least some character…based on their wealth.

5.     Start Writing: You’ve done it!  Ain’t that masterpiece looking freakin’ awesome?  All that’s left is, well, everything else that goes into writing…writing, editing, reading, editing, rewriting, editing, query, query, query, PUBLISH!  Hey, you didn’t choose this profession because it was easy or because it made sense, did you?  Maybe that should have been your very first question!

 

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How do you feel about the Worldbuilding For Storytellers series?  How did I help you; and could you use more information to deepen your understanding?  Comment below so I can work to make your world perfect!

Worldbuilding for Storytellers: Part II

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Welcome back to Worldbuilding 101!  If you’re just joining us, we are on Part 2 of a 3 part series on worldbuilding.  Catch up by looking over Part 1 first (especially if you don’t understand why I refer to painting below). In the spirit of transparency, this post originally appeared on the now defunct blog, RoosterWords.

Worldbuilding: Bane or Benign Exercise?

Writers love their worlds, especially those in fantasy and science fiction.  We have to- we live in them for long periods, soaking in the essence and different flavors we have derived of our own obsessive volition.  All of us must build these worlds, carefully, with great attention to the details.  For some writers, this is the best part of the writing process…creating something out of nothing, ignoring all laws of science, alchemy, and common sense.  For others, worldbuilding is the representation of long-running nightmares.  Where do you fit in?

The Middle: Characterization

There is no escaping it; your story must have characters.  On top of that, your characters need, well, character.  There’s nothing worse than a great tale spun with a boring protagonist or antagonist.  Truly great stories imbue a certain amount of characterization into the setting as well.  That is a lot of character.
In continuing the painting you have already started, the broad strokes should already be in place. Now comes the time to use those fine brushes, adding emotion and circumstance to your canvas. Grab your brushes; we're going to add another layer of paint to your masterpiece. Here's how to do it:

3dregenerator at http://tf3dm.com/3d-model/earth-transparent-17615.htm

1.     What Conflicts the Protagonist? Your protagonist is going to need a lot of conflict to keep him moving through the story.  Sometimes it should be small, a decision or debate that moves them in a specific direction.  Others should be large, especially the Crisis which, eventually, your protagonist must face.

2.     What Conflicts the Antagonist?  Yes, you must have feelings for the “bad guy” in the story as well.  Anybody who is all evil (or all good for that matter) is boorish and will turn the reader off.  Develop reasons for your antagonist to move through your world, even if it is on the coat-tails of his opposite.

3.     Give Each Setting a Government: Even if your world is full of anarchy, there is somebody in power in each of your settings.  If the entire world is under one type of government…that makes things easier.  If not, then be sure YOU know what’s going on in each important stop along the journey. 

4.     Flesh-Out Supporting Characters: There is the possibility of creating a story with the protagonist being completely alone for a majority of the story.  The closest I have seen is Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend (granted, I know the movie adaptation starring Will Smith better).  Despite the longevity of loneliness his main character suffers, other characters do still interrupt his solitude.  The point is, without beings to interact with, the protagonist will have little reason to travel your world.

5.     Personality Quirks are King: If you’re like me, you may have trouble giving all these characters quirks that make them different from each other.  If so, check out these sites to help you find just the right twitch to fit each personality in your story-

·       Dungeons & Dragons Wiki: A huge list of traits created by Wizards of the Coast for the 3.5 version of their tabletop treasure.  The site is a Wiki project; which has permission from Wizards to display the content on their page.

·       This List of Personality Traits is great because it gives you positive and negative traits side-by-side.

·       Inspiration of Writers’ Character Trait Chart and Personality Components:  This site actually gives you a chart to record specifics about your character.  I use a similar approach when developing my peoples; based on suggestions found here.

It’s Important Because:

Making your world believable, even a fantastical or futuristic one, involves creating characters your readers can relate to.  Without that, the story dulls and suspension of disbelief becomes impossible.  We want to read your story, really we do.  So make the most of our trust and deliver great characterization; and that will keep us coming back for more!

Do you agree with my 5 characterization methods?  Would you add more or do anything different?  I’ve got plenty of space for comments below, tell me what you think.

James Neal loves to worldbuild.  The main reason he added D&D to his list of trait sites is because of the sheer amount of time he has spent giving fake people real personalities within the game.  He is not ashamed...of anything.  Get to know him on Facebook, or Twitter @BloodandBlade.

Worldbuilding for Storytellers: Part I

Image found at http://ipadminibackgrounds.com/digital-earth-2/

In the spirit of transparency, this series was originally posted on the now-defunct RoosterWords blog.

Worldbuilding: Bane or Benign Exercise?

Writers love their worlds, especially those in fantasy and science fiction.  We have to- we live in them for long periods, soaking in the essence and different flavors we have derived of our own obsessive volition.  All of us must build these worlds, carefully, with great attention to details.  For some writers, this is the best part of the writing process…creating something out of nothing, ignoring all laws of science, alchemy, and common sense.  For others, worldbuilding is the representation of long-running nightmares.  Where do you fit in?

Keep in mind, this guide is not just for writers. Geared for them, sure, but tabletop gamers, videogame developers, and anybody else who deals in stories can benefit from this guide. Me personally, I've been a tabletop gamer for ten years, and a DM/GM for five. Of course, I LOVE building worlds.

The Beginning: Staying Vague

My experience has been to start the worldbuilding process by keeping everything vague.  There is plenty of time to develop all those bothersome details later.  Like the artist creating a masterpiece, you must sketch all the pieces before you can put any paint on the paper.  In fact, thinking of your world as a painting may help you “see” all the inter-connectedness as you move from outline to final product.  Maybe that is just the artist that resides within me.  Here’s how to approach your “sketch.”

1.     Create a map (if not using Earth as your setting): This does two things: First, it allows you to physically see your world, how it is shaped, how continents and/or areas come together.  I also suggest you study how rivers and seas flow in real maps, so yours can be as convincing as possible.  The second thing?  When you’re ready to publish your masterpiece, readers will also get to “see” your world in a physical manner

2.     Decide on a Theme: Every book out there that is worth the ink (digital or otherwise) it’s printed from has a theme- a unifying concept.  Decide what your theme is so your story can, at the very least, have some semblance of grace within its pages.

3.     Decide on a Timeline: Yes, science fiction generally takes place in the future, fantasy in the past.  However these are not concrete rules; and even if they are for your story, you still need to define what flavor your world will have.  Are you telling a story based loosely on feudal Japan, or Middle Ages Europe (no, these are NOT your only choices, budding writer).

4.     NOW Add Some Details: Give your map some countries, regions, states, cities, etc. until you know what you need to push your story forward.  Develop a broad timeline of major events in your world, and where they occurred (trust me, this helps keep plot moving logically).  Decide on some landmark locations your story will take place at.  This is also the time to decide on things like how magic (or technology, or mixes) will work in your world.

5.     Develop Your Crisis: As every story has a theme, so too does it have a crisis.  Something which your protagonist must overcome; and it won’t be easy to do so successfully.  There is no formula for developing these types of situations (or if there is, I haven’t found it yet).  This is your time to shine, put your creativity to the test.  If nothing else, use a tried but true crisis until your imagination decides to hit you in the head with a stone and give you something better!

Do you agree that Worldbuilding should start out vague?  Do you start differently when creating your world(s)? Use up the comment space below and let me know how you feel about worldbuilding, this post, or whatever!  I respond to all legitimate comments, and moderate to keep things decently clean.

This is part One of a Three part series on Worldbuilding.  You can find Part II and Part III as well. James is rather fanatical about building worlds, He hopes to successfully bring magic back on a different planet which he intends to call: JamesWorld.  Here’s hoping he comes up with a better name.  Get to know him on Facebook or on Twitter @JamesNealWrites.