Expressively written is a writing community focusing on the development of young writers. By guiding them by offering writing tips and relatability in the form of blog posts for any writer that might feel alone, confused or is in search of a community.
The expressively written began in 2019 formally known as the writer's lounge. With the main objective of uniting young writers. As well as to bring about growth and guidance to writers. A change in name does not mean a change in objective. This community is made for the writer with any story that lays within them that wants to feel understood and guided along with their writing.
Two weeks ago a friend approached me asking me for writing advice. I was flattered, because someone else had seen me as a writer.
I consider myself still fairly new at writing, even though I've been writing for four years now. In my eyes, there is plenty to still learn.
While giving him some writing tips for his new project. I noticed he would respond almost in a panic, he mentioned that he still had so much to learn and to think about. I knew exactly how he felt, in the beginning, I would search around for writing tips and never actually start writing
I also felt bad knowing I had given him stress and taken his joy away. I later told him not to worry about all these writing tips for now, but to just start writing. If you can get your story on paper that is a good start. Sometimes as writers we worry about our work being perfect or we worry about the rules and it actually scares us away from actually writing. Writing does not have to be stressful especially when you are just starting.
If you have a story within you just write it. Worry about the rules or tips later, during the editing phase. Right now it's about birthing your story. That's where you start. It's not going to be perfect or great in the beginning, but it's s something. It's best to have something than nothing.
Just like this blog, it may not be great but it's a start and I know it will be great. I will grow into it just like you will grow into your writing or rather sharpen your writing skill. However, you have to start.
It's progress over perfection. It's starting to write that story over stressing if it's going to be perfect.
I currently rewatched Avatar and no not the one with the blue people but the one with the boy and his arrow Avatar Aang. If you are not familiar with Avatar it's an animated series about a 12-year-old boy named Aang, the current Avatar or protagonist and last survivor of his nation, the Air Nomads, along with his friends Katara, Sokka, and Toph, as they strive to end the Fire Nation's war against the other nations of the world.
While watching Avatar I noticed that in my opinion these are greatly written characters one character that had me wrapped around his finger is prince Zuko.
Prince Zuko in this animated series at one point is the antagonist of the show but later becomes one of the protagonists. In my opinion, he had the best character development in the show. His story has tugged on my heartstrings and has made me feel connected to him
As a writer to give your character the best character development within the story, it's best to start by giving your character a personality, motive, conflict and a backstory which is what Prince Zuko had.
In today's blog, we'll focus on the personality of your character. This can really be a fun part if you make it to be. Personally, with my characters, I try to think of traits that stand out. Labelling your character as nice may not be one to make your character stand out besides being nice is not a personality trait. Anyone can be nice. When it comes to personality traits it's important to actually understand what exactly is a personality trait.
According to Noba Projects, personality traits showcases one's patterns of feelings, thoughts and behaviour. Further on it's consistent. Labelling your character as just nice is not only boring but it's also not consistent. You can decide to be nice you can decide to not be nice it's not a consistent attribute.
Let's take a look at some of Prince Zuko's personality traits
Controlling
Domineering
Impatient
Passionate
Adaptable
These are some traits that this character has consistently shown within the show. He shows them as an antagonist and as a protagonist this should show you how consistent one's behaviour needs to be for it to fall under a personality trait.
Furthermore, when you are building your character you must decide what positive or negative traits do I want my character to have? And how can I showcase this consistently within the storyline? And remember make your character relatable as well as different I know that seems like a lot but a relatable character can build an emotional connection with the reader
A different character makes the character stand out.
For example, you could have a character that is
Hot-headed
Shy
curious
Humorous
And romantic
Obviously, your character will have more traits mentioned. Remember do not just stick to what's on the inside but what's on the outside as well. Physical appearance but that's for another day for now think about what interesting traits you can give your character.
Now not only does one personality consist of traits but it also consists of beliefs and interests. After all, humans have beliefs and interests why not give your character the same, especially your main character.
In Avatar Aang Prince Zuko had a deep belief that capturing the protagonist of the story (Aang would make his dreams come true. His dream was to earn his father's honour. Depending on your storyline what belief does each character have? It could be more than just a religious belief as well or it could just be a religious belief either way any belief is fine. His belief added to his making him more realistic. His interests made him more realistic as well.
So today while you thinking of a character to create think about interesting traits you can give your character. Think about the beliefs they may have as well as how it can be highlighted consistently in the story.
OH HEY, FOR BEST VIEWING, YOU'LL NEED TO TURN YOUR PHONE