characters.html

There are many stereotypes when it comes to characters. In fact, there are so many stereotypes that I can almost guarantee that every one of your characters falls into one of them. Just ask Alison:

Characters

Now for some character archetypes. That is, extremely generalized characters for use in stories. These are the most common people you will encounter in fantasy.

-The Hero. He is usually male and is good looking. He’s a good guy who gets called into the story, usually by some bad event such as his family dying or his sister getting kidnapped. Example: Ashitaka from Mononoke-Hime ( Princess Mononoke in English). Alternatively, the hero can be the ‘Anti-hero’ or someone who does good things without the good personality. Example: Wolverine from X-men. It’s not fantasy, I know, but the character is a perfect example.

-The Magical Girl. Usually an inexperienced teen who has some kind of power. Usually something like a witch’s apprentice or someone born with strange abilities. The character is usually clumsy and in need of the Hero’s help. In a romance, she is the one who will fall in love with the hero. Alternatively, this role can be filled by some mysterious person, usually female, who calls out in some way to the Hero, often sparking the beginning of the quest. Sometimes it is someone he meets on the way. Sometimes this archetype will be rude and snobbish. Example: Mononoke-Hime from Mononoke-Hime.

-Goliath. The tough guy on the team, the bruiser and the best fighter. Usually male. If this role is filled by a female, she is usually of a race other than the Hero’s and will fall into the anti-hero archetype, whereas a male with be the kind-hearted guy.

- Mentor. This one is self explanatory. Example: Brom from Eragon.

-“Goal.” Goal is the Hero’s final objective, and this segment is what the goal is when it’s a person/animal. The goal can be the tyrannical ruler of some impoverished country or a dragon who’s kidnapped the helpless maiden or whatever. It could also be the maiden herself who was kidnapped. Example: Helen in The Iliad.

-Villain. The bad guy, usually good looking and in top form. Usually interested in world domination. (Example: Slade from Teen Titans) Sometimes they are motivated by a specific person as their target for revenge or some other reason. (Orochimaru from Naruto) Often they were the Hero’s childhood friend turned Evil. They usually have a lackey. (Example: Worm-tongue in the LotR series).

Yep. Next time you read a fantasy look for these personalities and traits in the characters, you’ll see what I mean. Character personalities should develop over time, possibly changing dramatically. A good way to get everything on the characters is to right the book in a third-person jump form or a first-person jump. But remember that none of these roles are set in stone.

Also, remember that the Villain should get as much story coverage and back history as the hero and their team. In a third person jump, give them some time so let the reader know about their plans when the hero doesn’t. This helps to build suspense; among other things. In a first person jump, give the villain his/her ranting there in the villain’s head. DO NOT LET THEM RANT TO THE GOOD GUYS. No intelligent villain does this, that’s how they get caught. Interesting villains can be insane or just plain scary. The villain should be the kind of person that the reader would never ever want to meet. THE VILLAIN SHOULD NEVER EVER BE SILLY AND HE/SHE SHOULD NEVER EVER EVER MAKE ANYONE LAUGH. Villains are hard to motivate with originality; because almost everything has been done before. Revenge is the most used, then comes power hungry. Make something up.

Thanx Allie. E.M.I.P.T. Rulz!



	And now for the most important thing that you absolutely must know about, the thing that every single story you write will revolve around...[drum roll]...characters! Characters are people, animals, gods, demons, spirits, talking teapots, anything that is alive (or appears to be alive), has some sort of personality, and plays some part in your stories, however small. There are lots of characters in a good story! Even in survival stories where the only character seems to be the person who is stuck in the middle of nowhere, there's almost always one or more animals that seem to have a personality of their own.
(Not all characters have to talk. Many stories have a "sidekick" or a "mascot": a pet or other animal that is important to the main character. This can be the character's cat, a wolf who lives in the nearby forest, or a strange spirit or being who sometimes appears and helps the character (aka leading him/her out of the woods) but never speaks.)		Sometimes you may have difficulty coming up with the characters for your story. If you need help, check out this cool random generator site that I found. I would reccomend using the "Catgirl" and "Catguy" generators, since they are very useful when coming up with the appearance and personality of your character.
There are many stereotypes when it comes to characters. In fact, there are so many stereotypes that I can almost guarantee that every one of your characters falls into one of them. Just ask Alison: Characters Now for some character archetypes. That is, extremely generalized characters for use in stories. These are the most common people you will encounter in fantasy. -The Hero. He is usually male and is good looking. He’s a good guy who gets called into the story, usually by some bad event such as his family dying or his sister getting kidnapped. Example: Ashitaka from Mononoke-Hime ( Princess Mononoke in English). Alternatively, the hero can be the ‘Anti-hero’ or someone who does good things without the good personality. Example: Wolverine from X-men. It’s not fantasy, I know, but the character is a perfect example. -The Magical Girl. Usually an inexperienced teen who has some kind of power. Usually something like a witch’s apprentice or someone born with strange abilities. The character is usually clumsy and in need of the Hero’s help. In a romance, she is the one who will fall in love with the hero. Alternatively, this role can be filled by some mysterious person, usually female, who calls out in some way to the Hero, often sparking the beginning of the quest. Sometimes it is someone he meets on the way. Sometimes this archetype will be rude and snobbish. Example: Mononoke-Hime from Mononoke-Hime. -Goliath. The tough guy on the team, the bruiser and the best fighter. Usually male. If this role is filled by a female, she is usually of a race other than the Hero’s and will fall into the anti-hero archetype, whereas a male with be the kind-hearted guy. - Mentor. This one is self explanatory. Example: Brom from Eragon. -“Goal.” Goal is the Hero’s final objective, and this segment is what the goal is when it’s a person/animal. The goal can be the tyrannical ruler of some impoverished country or a dragon who’s kidnapped the helpless maiden or whatever. It could also be the maiden herself who was kidnapped. Example: Helen in The Iliad. -Villain. The bad guy, usually good looking and in top form. Usually interested in world domination. (Example: Slade from Teen Titans) Sometimes they are motivated by a specific person as their target for revenge or some other reason. (Orochimaru from Naruto) Often they were the Hero’s childhood friend turned Evil. They usually have a lackey. (Example: Worm-tongue in the LotR series). Yep. Next time you read a fantasy look for these personalities and traits in the characters, you’ll see what I mean. Character personalities should develop over time, possibly changing dramatically. A good way to get everything on the characters is to right the book in a third-person jump form or a first-person jump. But remember that none of these roles are set in stone. Also, remember that the Villain should get as much story coverage and back history as the hero and their team. In a third person jump, give them some time so let the reader know about their plans when the hero doesn’t. This helps to build suspense; among other things. In a first person jump, give the villain his/her ranting there in the villain’s head. DO NOT LET THEM RANT TO THE GOOD GUYS. No intelligent villain does this, that’s how they get caught. Interesting villains can be insane or just plain scary. The villain should be the kind of person that the reader would never ever want to meet. THE VILLAIN SHOULD NEVER EVER BE SILLY AND HE/SHE SHOULD NEVER EVER EVER MAKE ANYONE LAUGH. Villains are hard to motivate with originality; because almost everything has been done before. Revenge is the most used, then comes power hungry. Make something up. Thanx Allie. E.M.I.P.T. Rulz!