Three Dimensional: A Character Building Workshop

[giuocob]

I've been on this forum for a while now. Not as long as some of you old geezers, but long enough to understand most of the work that gets posted here. Most of it really is the same. Let's say that the average poster Sam writes a fanfiction and posts it up on the forum. Here is my critique of average poster Sam:

Sam has an excellent grasp of grammar, though it is often used sloppily. His creativity shines through in an interesting and somewhat complex plot, supplemented by a romance or two. However, Sam pays absolutely no attention to the strength of his characters.

CHARACTERS. This is what holds almost everyone on this forum back from breaking free of the mediocre zone. The characters are used as a vehicle for whatever the plot commands of them, nothing more. They have no...if you will...character. Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for a change. Welcome to the character building workshop!

...Well, it's actually going to be more of a guide at the end. But there's really far too much to say on the subject of building characters to put in a single post, and throwing all that out at once would ensure that nobody took the time to read it all. So I'm breaking it up into several bite size chunks for you guys.

And oh yeah...there'll be homework. I totally, absolutely do NOT expect anybody to actually do it, but I'm putting it out there for the people who want practice with building characters. Most of the stuff won't take any more than ten minutes, and I'll critique anybody who shows it to me.

So here's the game plan, which is subject to change if/when I remember something important.
Lesson 1: What makes a good character
Lesson 2: Character Analysis
Lesson 3: How to construct a character
Lesson 4: How to develop a character

These will be posted as often as I write them, perhaps once a week or so. Lesson 1 will more than likely be up later today, as it's going to be very short.

Lastly, I want to hold a signup. In reality, this means nothing. You can stop reading this whenever you like and not say a word to me, and you can pick it up and even do the assignments without signing up. But it gives me a general idea of how many people are interested in it.

ROSTER
aldrain
Shadow Denizen
Takushi Rena
Frozen Fate
-Arcana-X-
1-up salesman
Jack London
kazukifafner

[)-(The Anomaly)-(]

This is cool. Can I assist, if you need it?

[aldrain]

DUDE I AM SO IN!!!!!!!!!! AND can you read my fan story and see how it is its the re done 358/2 days fanstory theory i re did them cuz people wanted it in the same thread so ill take the class by the way.

[giuocob]

Originally Posted by mikep

This is cool. Can I assist, if you need it?

I'm not sure what sort of assistance I could really be given, though I'll keep your offer in mind. Thanks!

[Shadow Denizen]

I fill out character sheets, but some more tips would be great. I'll be checking in again.

[)-(The Anomaly)-(]

@ giuocob: By assistence, I meant like, if you have trouble explaining something, or if example are needed. Just think of me as a scout or reference book. lol.

[Enemy]

When making a character, just fill in a template:

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Personality:
Bio:
Etc:

It's not that hard. =\

[giuocob]

Originally Posted by Enemy

When making a character, just fill in a template:

Name:
Age:
Gender:
Personality:
Bio:
Etc:

It's not that hard. =\

My friend, you have much, much, much to learn.

[Takushi Rena]

DUDE. *raises hand all frantic and Hermione-ish* I wanna join in I wanna join innnnn! D: Sign me up, pwease!

Originally Posted by giuocob

My friend, you have much, much, much to learn.

And I second this. Enemy, you've got a LOT to learn about that. Not that simple. >__>

[Enemy]

Nope, it really is that simple. People just like to complicate the matter. Character advancement is more of an evolution than anything. Like building a tower. We start with the basic foundations, then we expand upon them.

[giuocob]

Originally Posted by Enemy

Nope, it really is that simple. People just like to complicate the matter. Character advancement is more of an evolution than anything. Like building a tower. We start with the basic foundations, then we expand upon them.

Certainly. And 'character advancement', if I'm interpreting it correctly, will be one of the main points of this guide.

[Enemy]

Can't wait to read it. ; )

[Frozen Fate]

This seems like a great idea, giuocob. Sign me up, please.

[-Arcana-X-]

-raises hand- I want to join! Sign me up!
Cool that we're getting 'homework'.

[1-up salesman]

looks pretty cool. Maybe it can make my fan-fics beter. Sign me up!!!