Great post. Character is one of the most important (if not *the* most important) aspects that determines how much I enjoy a book, relate to it, connect to it. It's so integral to crafting a believable story. There's so much to explore in terms of good character writing and this post is a solid primer, thanks.
True, there are so many more things to say about it. I think that when you start writing (or creating for that matter) a story, you should always start with the character(s). It is what draws you in, keeps you there, and makes you care about everything else that is happening. Consider internal vs external conflict for instance. If the character wasn't struggling with what was happening to them, and having to overcome some part of themselves, then you are also less impacted by the external conflict.
Absolutely agree. It's how (in my limited experience) I've approached writing, too. Character first, emotion first, letting them draw me into their world so that I can try and capture it.
Beautiful. Love this. Very true about good/bad characters. A good--that is to say a compelling--character need not be highly moral, especially in our blurry, confused contemporary understanding of that word. (What today is honestly ‘good’? Can we define it anymore? It seems purely ideological and subjective.) Patrick Bateman was a good example. Perhaps Holden Cauldfield is on the list, as are many others.
I think moral grey areas are exactly where literature can have immense value, contrasting different perspectives, making the reader question what they believe, etc. That is why those stories have stuck with me.
Great post. Loved your tips especially about how a good character doesn't need to be good and the examples you give are spot on.
Those photos of your first books are adorable and insightful. Children are so honest and I think their truth or how they see the world just flows out. Now, I regret not keeping my writing and illustrations:)
Thank you! I think that is what is so fascinating abouy characters and stories, that you can relate to someone even though they are nothing like you. Gives me hope.
My guess is that his mother saved the books. I once wrote childhood story about the comic strip character Winnie Winkle. But that's long gone ... Looking forward to your post, Isabelle.
Wrong! I saved them myself, I always had this big box in my room with a label that said 'Robert Urbaschek productions' in which I kept everything I wrote / created.
Great post. Character is one of the most important (if not *the* most important) aspects that determines how much I enjoy a book, relate to it, connect to it. It's so integral to crafting a believable story. There's so much to explore in terms of good character writing and this post is a solid primer, thanks.
True, there are so many more things to say about it. I think that when you start writing (or creating for that matter) a story, you should always start with the character(s). It is what draws you in, keeps you there, and makes you care about everything else that is happening. Consider internal vs external conflict for instance. If the character wasn't struggling with what was happening to them, and having to overcome some part of themselves, then you are also less impacted by the external conflict.
Absolutely agree. It's how (in my limited experience) I've approached writing, too. Character first, emotion first, letting them draw me into their world so that I can try and capture it.
Beautiful. Love this. Very true about good/bad characters. A good--that is to say a compelling--character need not be highly moral, especially in our blurry, confused contemporary understanding of that word. (What today is honestly ‘good’? Can we define it anymore? It seems purely ideological and subjective.) Patrick Bateman was a good example. Perhaps Holden Cauldfield is on the list, as are many others.
Robert: Subscribed to your stack!
Michael Mohr
‘Sincere American Writing’
https://michaelmohr.substack.com/
I think moral grey areas are exactly where literature can have immense value, contrasting different perspectives, making the reader question what they believe, etc. That is why those stories have stuck with me.
How kind you are, Michael. I loved your guest post: https://marytabor.substack.com/p/on-literature
Such a great post - I learned a load! LOVED the pictures of your first books - absolutely gorgeous. Thank you, Robert (and Mary!).
The post I added links to your guest post, Rebecca.
So it does! How lovely - thanks, Mary!
Hi Robert,
Great post. Loved your tips especially about how a good character doesn't need to be good and the examples you give are spot on.
Those photos of your first books are adorable and insightful. Children are so honest and I think their truth or how they see the world just flows out. Now, I regret not keeping my writing and illustrations:)
Best wishes for your novel.
Isabelle
Thank you! I think that is what is so fascinating abouy characters and stories, that you can relate to someone even though they are nothing like you. Gives me hope.
My guess is that his mother saved the books. I once wrote childhood story about the comic strip character Winnie Winkle. But that's long gone ... Looking forward to your post, Isabelle.
Wrong! I saved them myself, I always had this big box in my room with a label that said 'Robert Urbaschek productions' in which I kept everything I wrote / created.