writing fiction - character &conflict

8/8/2019 Writing Fiction - Character &Conflict

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CHARACTER & CONFLICT


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yAsecret plan or scheme.

yThe plan, scheme, or main story of a

play, novel, poem, or short story.y In artillery, a point or points located on

a map or chart.

y In navigation, to mark on a plan, map,or chart, as the course of a ship oraircraft.


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yAconflict / conflicts withcomplications.

yAcrises/crises.

yAresolution within the series ofactions the characters perform.


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yPlots set the character in motion.

yThey provide a line to follow.

y

They explain how and why what ishappening is happening.

yThey involve us with the fate of the

characters, connecting the character toour world in a logical way.


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y from Greek, an instrument formarking or engraving.

y 14 c. distinctive marky 15 c. graphic symbol

y 17 c. sum of mental and moral

qualities.y 18 c. personage / personality


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yPrimary Characters

ySecondary Characters

yUniformed Characters


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yWhat the characters do always reflectswho they are or what happens to them

as the story unfolds.

yTheir natures are understandable both

in terms of the conventions of fictionor what has happened to them.


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y An identifiable way of behaving

y An identifiable way of speaking

y An identifiable appearance

y An identifiable way of thinking

The writer develops the identification by

1. Either giving information throughexposition.

2. Or showing us how the character acts.


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y

When &where was the character born? Why does thecharacter have that name? What is the charactersbackground economically, spiritually, educationally?What is the family structure of the character?

yWhat does the character look like? How does thecharacter speak and relate to others? What are thebehavioral tics?

y What does the character do for a living? For fun?

y What is the characters psychological makeup?y What significant events shaped the characters views

and reactions?

y What does the character want and why?


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y Finding appropriate names for characters is not atrivial task, since the name may have significanceor suggestiveness.

y In choosing names, the writer must take intoaccount:

1. Historical Authenticity

2. Regional Probability

3. Symbolic Overtones

4. Auditory Features


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Create a character in a conflicting situation.Develop the character by attributing to him/her

personality traits that emerge as a result of theconflict they are facing.

Word Limit: 250 words

writing fiction - character &conflict

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