Reading Room

character development

Here you'll find tips and tricks from other writers on how to write and create compelling characters.

You can go to Reading Room Home to find posts on lots of different subjects.

Latest

How do you describe body types respectfully? — Ask Novlr
How do you respectfully describe body types?

“How would i politely describe body types without being vague?“ Characters are as diverse as the writers who write about them, but when it comes to describing them, it can be very easy to default to what we know or to succumb to clichés or stereotypes. This can be especially challenging when describing characters’ bodies. […]

Pamela Koehne-Drube

Dec 16

How do you come up with uncommon tropes or plot twists? – Ask NovlrHow do you write uncommon tropes or plot twists?
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Dec 9

How do I create unique voices for my characters? — Ask NovlrHow do I create unique voices for my characters?
Fija Callaghan

Nov 25

How do you write a character whose name hasn't been revealed? — Ask NovlrHow do you describe characters whose names haven’t been revealed?
Lindsay Sfara

Nov 4

How to write a likeable villain — Ask NovlrHow do you write a likeable villain?
S. K. Eleton

Oct 28

What is the difference between a hero and an anti-hero? - Ask NovlrWhat is the difference between a hero and an anti-hero?
Arthur Franz IV

Oct 14

How do you write a platonic relationship — Ask NovlrHow do you write a platonic relationship?
Kimberley Long-Ewing

Oct 7

How do you write an argument? - Ask NovlrHow do you write an argument?
Lindsay Sfara

Sep 23

How to write an existing relationship - Ask NovlrHow do you write an established relationship?
Kimberley Long-Ewing

Sep 16

How to write hopelessness and a crisis of self - Ask NovlrHow do you write hopelessness and a crisis of self?
Lindsay Sfara

Sep 9

Why do writers torture their characters? – Ask NovlrWhy do writers love to torture their characters?
Lindsay Sfara

Sep 2

How do I strengthen my writing? — Ask NovlrHow do I strengthen my writing?
Fija Callaghan

Aug 19

How to write a slow burn romance - NovlrHow do you write a slow burn romance?
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Jul 30

How to write the found family trope - Ask NovlrHow do I write the found family trope?
Lindsay Sfara

Jul 16

How do I write a morally gray serial killer?
S. K. Eleton

Jul 9

How to get started with writing - Ask NovlrHow do I get started with writing?
Lindsay Sfara

Jun 25

How do I write anthropomorphic characters? - Ask NovlrHow do I write anthropomorphic animals?
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Jun 18

How to write indecisiveness when creating characters - Ask NovlrDo you have any advice for indecisiveness when creating characters?
Pamela Koehne-Drube

May 28

Introduce side characters without info dumping - Ask NovlrHow do I introduce side characters without info dumping?
Pamela Koehne-Drube

May 14

Create characters using the STEM method - NovlrHow to Create Interesting Characters Using the STEAL Method
Nimrod Cortés

May 10

How to write a good story - Photo by Suzy HazelwoodWhat Makes a Good Story?
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Feb 23

How to write the perfect antihero - Photo by Mateo Avila Chinchilla on UnsplashHow to Write the Perfect Antihero
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Jan 29

A Foolproof Character Cheat Sheet (With Downloadable Template)
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Dec 1

Writing your way into conflict - a winning chess move - Photo by GR Stocks on UnsplashWriting Your Way Into Conflict
Arthur Franz IV

Nov 10

Write a memorable villain - Photo by murat esibatirHow To Write a Truly Memorable Villain
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Oct 27

Giving characters control of your story - Photo by cottonbro studioWhy Giving Characters Control of Your Story is Good For Your Narrative
Arthur Franz IV

Oct 20

Character archetypes - Medusa - Photo by Wonderlane on UnsplashCharacter Archetypes and How to Use Them in Your Novel
Char

Oct 6

Editing tips to revise and strengthen dialogue - Novlr5 Editing Tips to Revise and Strengthen Your Dialogue
Arthur Franz IV

Sep 25

Writing games to develop characters - Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash5 Writing Games to Help You Get to Know Your Characters
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Sep 15

wilted roses - Photo by Annie Spratt on UnsplashThe Ghost Behind: Writing Psychological Trauma
Nimrod Cortés

Sep 11

How to create a fan-favourite character - Photo by PixabayHow To Create a Fan-Favorite Character
Char

Aug 4

Writing character arcs - Photo by cottonbro studioHow To Write Compelling Character Arcs
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Jun 15

create compelling characters - Photo by Bruno Henrique for PexelsHow to Create a Compelling Character in Minutes
Pamela Koehne-Drube

Apr 17