Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Character Design & Questionnaire; POV; Writing Exercises

Today we will play around with some exercises to build and create characters. Please complete at least two of the following tasks during the lab. You should keep these brainstorming/idea gathering exercises for future stories you will write. You may keep these assignments and notes in your notebook/writing journal.

1. Complete the character questionnaire. The questionnaire includes information and questions for supporting minor characters and antagonists.
2. On an index card, draw a picture of a character (you may choose to complete this exercise more than once, each time creating a new character.) On the back of the card, write any important details that go along with the character. You may also choose to color your picture if you'd like. Keep these character cards for future stories.
3. Using a magazine cut up photographs or words found in the magazine and arrange these pictures and words to create a character collage. Please pick up scraps around your area if you choose this. Keep the classroom tidy for other students.
4. Choose a character from one of the stories you have read from your short story collection. In your notebook, sketch or design a character that would either be a friend of this character, or a character who would be an enemy or antagonist to this character. Give this new character a description, name, personality, background, etc.

IN THE LAB: Please read the article on POV. On a sheet of paper to turn in, please answer:
  • 1. What are three things you think are important for you to know as a writer about Point of View from this chapter?
  • 2. Explain the difference between 3-Person limited and objective POV.
  • 3. What is meant by "Omniscience"?
  • 4. What are multiple viewpoints?
  • 5. What is skeptical point of view?
When you have completed this article and played around with character design, check out:
HeroMachine. Play around with this website to create a hero/villain/anti-hero character. You can even base one on yourself.

HOMEWORK: Read your short story collection. If you are behind, please use the break to get caught up. Not sure what you had to do in the last six weeks? Check the blog.


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About this course!

This course stresses understanding the characteristics & techniques in the literary genres of fiction, poetry, and dramatic writing. This course will continue to build on students’ reading and writing skills begun in previous creative writing classes. Readings and discussions of works by major writers in the field will be examined as inspiration and models of fine writing. This educational blog is designed for the use of the students at the School of the Arts in Rochester, NY.