character development – BARNABY TAYLOR: Curiosity is Currency

Effective dialogue is an essential element of any good story, and it can be especially important in historical fiction where authenticity is key. Here are five tips to help you create authentic and engaging dialogue in your novel:

Research the time period and language: To create authentic dialogue, it is important to understand the language and colloquialisms used during the time period you are writing about. This can include slang, regional accents, and other linguistic quirks. Do some research and take note of how people spoke during that time so you can accurately represent it in your writing.

Use dialogue to reveal character: Dialogue is a great way to reveal character and show the reader who your characters are. Pay attention to how your characters speak and the words they choose, as this can give insight into their personality, background, and motivations.

Avoid modern colloquialisms: It can be tempting to use modern colloquialisms and slang in your dialogue, but this can take the reader out of the story and break the sense of authenticity. Instead, try to use language that is appropriate for the time period and setting of your story.

Don’t be afraid to experiment: While it is important to be authentic, don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles of dialogue and see what works best for your story. Play around with different ways of expressing your characters’ thoughts and feelings, and see what feels most natural and effective.

Edit and revise: Like any aspect of writing, dialogue can often benefit from revision and editing. As you work on your story, pay attention to how your characters talk to each other and make sure it sounds natural and authentic. Don’t be afraid to cut or rewrite dialogue that doesn’t work or feels forced.

Hi Everyone,

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Kind regards

Barnaby

Developing characters for a novel can be a challenging but rewarding task for a writer. It requires a deep understanding of who these characters are, what drives them, and how they will interact with other characters in the story. Here are ten practical approaches that can help writers bring their characters to life:

1. Start with the basics. Before diving into the specifics of a character’s personality and backstory, it’s important to establish their basic characteristics such as age, gender, occupation, and physical appearance. This will help you visualise the character and build a foundation for their personality and motivations.

2. Give them a goal. Every character should have a clear goal or desire that drives their actions in the story. This goal should be specific and achievable, and it should change and evolve as the character grows and develops throughout the story.

3. Give them flaws. No one is perfect, and the same is true for your characters. Giving your characters flaws and weaknesses makes them more relatable and human, and it also creates opportunities for character development as they work to overcome these flaws.

4. Build their backstory. A character’s past experiences and relationships can have a big impact on who they are and how they behave in the present. Take the time to think about your character’s history and how it has shaped them into the person they are today.

5. Consider their relationships. Characters don’t exist in a vacuum – they have relationships with other characters that can influence their behaviour and development. Think about how your character interacts with others, and how these relationships might change over the course of the story.

6. Make them dynamic. Static characters who don’t change or grow throughout the story can be boring for readers. Instead, try to create dynamic characters who are constantly evolving and learning from their experiences.

7. Give them a unique voice. Each character should have their own distinct voice and perspective, whether it’s through their thoughts, dialogue, or actions. This will help make them stand out and feel like fully realised individuals.

8. Use dialogue effectively. Dialogue is a powerful tool for revealing a character’s personality, motivations, and relationships. Pay attention to how your characters talk to each other, and use it to reveal important details about their personalities and histories.

9. Show, don’t tell. Instead of simply telling the reader about a character’s traits and motivations, try to show them through their actions and dialogue. This will help bring the character to life in a more meaningful and believable way.

10. Don’t be afraid to make changes. Characters are never set in stone, and it’s okay to make changes or adjustments as you continue to work on your story. If something isn’t working or feels off about a character, don’t be afraid to go back and make changes until you feel that they are fully realised and integral to your story.

Developing strong, dynamic characters is an essential part of any successful novel, and these ten approaches can help writers create fully realised, three-dimensional characters that readers will love.