Comments on: Interrogation Tactics Are Your Friend

By: Nikka Michaels

Nikka Michaels — Mon, 30 Sep 2013 00:02:15 +0000

Reblogged this on Nikka Michaels and commented: Love this.

By: kenthinksaloud

kenthinksaloud — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 03:41:51 +0000

Great advice Terri and the sheet is a great start. I think your questions are little oriented towards a young person (tattoos and college details) which suited your premise here but I wonder what sheets for middle-aged and old people would/should look like. I have a vested interest in this because I'll admit that I am not rigorous when it comes to character profiling. I do it, but lose heart easily because often early in the book-writing stage the characters are still forming and I'm not sure what to ask about them! These are great pointers and I think a follow-on from this giving questions for older generations (what did they do in their youth? Do they have grown up kids? etc.) would be great! Just a thought. Even if you don't like the idea, this post really got me thinking and I'll get around to making my own...one day... :-/

By: Sharla Rae

Sharla Rae — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 19:13:54 +0000

Terrri, a great reminder. My character sheets aren't as neat as yours -- usually hand written--but they do keep me on the straight and narrow. With historicals some of the questions are a lttle different but I think the whole idea here is to get us write a well rounded character in all his or her glory right along with the flaws. 🙂 Thanks.

By: Terri Osburn

Terri Osburn — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 15:29:25 +0000

In reply to denise. Thanks, Denise. I got that from a friend years ago, and that's just a snippet of it. It's three pages in total, but the rest is just more background info and then the last questions I include here. You can make it in a Word table, Word alone, or even in Excel if you prefer that software.

By: Terri Osburn

Terri Osburn — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:40:02 +0000

In reply to Orly Konig-Lopez. Thanks, Orly. I'm considering a white board. After some minor home renovations in the next couple weeks, I'm setting up a new writing area. I always have my large storyboard on the wall, but I think a white board might come in handy, too. And a cork board since I usually tape pictures directly to the wall. I say the more tools the better!

By: Orly Konig-Lopez

Orly Konig-Lopez — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:29:02 +0000

Great post, Terri, thanks! I'm very much a pantser but I start with character sketch sheets. I'll admit that I don't always get all the details down but at least the questions are then bouncing around in my head as I'm thinking about the characters. I have a white board in my office and for each book I write down the key characters with bullet points about each - how they're related to the mc, if there's a certain quirk about them, age, physical characteristics, anything that will help keep me in check as I'm diving head first down a rabbit hole.

By: Terri Osburn

Terri Osburn — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:07:14 +0000

In reply to Kathryn Craft. You're welcome, Kathryn. Good luck getting the character just right. I find the idea of writing a fictionalized version of true events so interesting. Knowing what to change and what to keep accurate. Must be a delicate balance!

By: Terri Osburn

Terri Osburn — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 14:05:52 +0000

In reply to jamiebeck. Thanks. I found I ran into this when I got to book 2 and needed to make sure a reader could pick it up and not be lost. THAT was tough. And if I write a scene (especially an opening) and then delete it for something else, my brain still thinks I've shared the info with the readers. But I haven't. Unless they can see my deleted scenes folder, which sadly/fortunately is not included in the book. :)

By: Terri Osburn

Terri Osburn — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 13:58:09 +0000

In reply to Laura Drake. Laura, I'm a writer who struggles to find external plots. I can create internal angst all the live long day, but external action? So tough! That's another reason I need these questions. They help me figure out what outside forces would work best to make the characters lives all the more complicated. And I hope you enjoy the book. :) Next one if 4 weeks from tomorrow. Panic should be hitting in 3... 2... 1...

By: Kathryn Craft

Kathryn Craft — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 13:57:11 +0000

This is a timely post for me! I'm writing a novel based on true events but today must start writing in the voice of a highly fictionalized character. I've got out my pen and paper—I've found journaling in a character's voice and hand to be a great way to get my heart beating in sync with hers—and you've added focus to my efforts. Thanks, Terri!