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Field guide 03 · 4 lessons
Character
Goals, agency, arcs, opposition and relationships that make people generate the story.
Field guide 03
Essential reading
Build the foundation before the technique.
Read in order, or pick what you need today
The character shelf
01
Character Arcs
Core craftHow people change, refuse to change or become more deeply themselves over the course of a story.
15 min
02Antagonists and Opposing Forces
Core craftHow to write the person, institution or force in the way as if it has a life and a convincing point of view of its own.
14 min
03Supporting Characters and Ensembles
Deep diveHow to make the rest of the cast feel like people with lives—not helpers waiting for the hero to enter the room.
14 min
04Writing Character Relationships
Deep diveHow history, affection, need and power make two characters feel as though they existed before page one.
14 min