Likeable Characters

So you want to write a marketable manuscript in 2015? Begin with a likeable character, one that readers will want to triumph against unfavorable odds.

Give the character a straightforward name that is easy to pronounce and makes a good impression. Sure, unique names will works but simple names will too. The name should fit the era of the story. When I was writing AMAZING GRACE, a WWII story, I decided to name a character in honor of my critique partner who helped me so much with the manuscript. When I wrote Sandi, my critique came to my rescue and suggested I use Sandra instead, because it was more common in that period of history.

The character should make a good first impression with the reader. The good impression can be based on the character’s flaws. Figure out your character’s weakness and proceed with an incredible problem that preys on that weakness. The main character should shoulder the main load. The problems should not be so overwhelming, the character cannot triumph; instead use the story to play out the character’s struggle and ultimate victory.  Let the other characters in the story underestimate the protagonist. This will give him/her a chance to grow and prove them wrong by the end of the story. The protagonist should never realize that s/he will succeed until the very end.

Readers root for characters that grow and change. A flawed character reflects real life. No one is perfect, right? Flawed characters are easier to like than those that are perfect or think they are.

Next week, I’ll discuss more ways to write a likeable character.

Call for Submissions for Young Writers:

TEEN GIRLS THAT WRITE. This blog is for teen girls.  It gives teens information about scholarships, fellowships along with writing tips. It’s for teens who want to write books, screenplays or just about anything. Teens have the power to do anything and this blog is to help them get to where they want to go.

Submission guidelines athttp://teengirlsthatwrite.wordpress.com/

Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:

C The Binnacle Twelfth Annual Ultra-Short Competition. "The Binnacle will sponsor its Twelfth International Ultra-Short Competition in the 2014-2015 academic year. We are looking for prose works of 150 words or fewer and poetry of sixteen lines or fewer and fewer than 150 words.  All works should have a narrative element to them.....A minimum of $300 in cash prizes will be awarded, with a minimum prize of $50. At least one of the prizes will go to a [University of Maine-Machias] student. Please submit no more than two works total, prose and/or poetry."

Submissions deadline: March 15, 2015

Submission guidelines at http://machias.edu/ultra-short-competition.html

Is My Manuscript Ready to Submit?

I’m continuing with the series, Is My Manuscript Ready to Submit?

Check for active verbs. Is, are, was, were and such don’t create an image in the mind’s eye. However, scat, scram, climb, swing, jump, and skip paint pictures with words. The more vivid the pictures we create with our manuscripts, the more the reader “sees” and understands the action-packed world we present.

Does the character display emotional depth? Characters should not be totally good or bad; instead, they should reflect real people who have flaws.

How believable is the dialog? Dialog should help develop the character, move the plot forward, or provide information. It’s important that dialog sound real but should not contain large chunks of information. Offer information in small bits and pieces. Dialog should flow and be believable. He said/she said work best for dialog tags.

Do the characters sound alike? Each character should have a unique voice.

Is the pacing too slow? Move the story forward at a pace that will keep the reader engaged.

Does the ending have a surprise or twist that is unexpected?

Check the spelling, grammar, point of view, and formatting.

After a series of revisions and when my manuscript meets all these points, I select 3-5 publishers and ship it out.

Call for submissions for Young Writers:

Canvas. We are seeking writers ages 13-18 to submit:

 Fiction – Please limit submissions to 5,000 words.

Novel Excerpts - Novel and memoir excerpts are acceptable if self-contained (work as a complete narrative).

Poetry – You may submit more than one poem, but please do not exceed 5 pages worth of poetry.

Plays - Please follow standard play format. Limit to 10 pages.

Nonfiction – Essays, memoir, creative nonfiction. Please limit submissions to 5,000 words.  

New Media – Video, images, etc fine for website. But must be accompanied by written version to be considered for print and eBook.

Cross-genre - Experimental work (prose poems, art and writing, fiction and nonfiction hybrids) are highly encouraged, but please keep to the word limit for fiction.

Submission guidelines at http://canvasliteraryjournal.com/submit/ 

Call for Submissions for Adult Writers:

APPLESEEDS explores a single topic with insightful articles, cool photographs, and a unique you-are-there perspective on culture, history, inventions, the lives of children around the world, and much more. A perfect gift for any young reader ages 7 to 10 looking for an adventure magazine that explores all the great things about our world!

Submission guidelines at http://www.cricketmag.com/18-Submission-Guidelines-for-APPLESEEDS-magazine-for-children-ages-6-9