Z for Zero Tolerance: A to Z challenge

Ack! I missed Z!

Well, that changes now. Here's my installment of Z!! Happy A to Z challenge everyone!

X for Xenophile and Y for Yellow Journalism: A to Z challenge

W is for Warring Opinions: A to Z challenge

V for Variable Results: A to Z challenge

U for unique: A to Z challenge

T is for Timing: A to Z challenge

S for Slacker: A to Z Challenge

P is for picking your path: A to Z challenge

N for New Idea, and O for Overproduction: A to Z challenge

M is for Mourning: A to Z challenge writing advice

K is for keep going, and L is for Laughing

J is for Journey: The A to Z challenge

And here is the installment for J, just in the nick of time!

H for Holding back and I for imposter

G is for Goals: A to Z Challenge

F is for Fear: A to Z Challenge

(that thumbnail looks like I'm about to karate chop my fears)

E is for The Elephant in the Room

D is for Dialogue: The A to Z challenge

All the way up to D for Dialogue!

Ha, I love how the thumbnail looks like I'm about to go into Hamlet's soliloquy!

A to Z: B is for Backlog!

A to Z challenge: A for Advice

Welcome back to the A to Z challenge! Last year, I talked about the forbidden topics in publishing, and this year I'm talking about writing advice!

There's a little bit of a problem with the sound on this one, so you might need to turn up a bit. Enjoy!

(also, I totally look scared of something in the thumbnail! It must be the dreaded editing monster!)

Wormtail is the key…

There’s been a lot of talk about strong characters lately, and I’ve been seeing some confusion about the word character. It has multiple meanings depending on how it’s used, and while I’m not the most qualified person to talk about this, I definitely feel like it’s time.

Character can mean an individual in a work of art. You can have characters in plays, books, paintings, etc.

Character can also mean a trait of a person. For instance to have strong character means that you have a strong morals, or you’re not afraid to do the right thing versus the easy thing.

You can also have a strong character in a book. This would be a character who has been defined so well that the reader knows exactly how they should behave. Strong characters make choices that impact their lives and the lives around them. Strong characters do things.

And here’s where things get screwy, you can have a strong character with weak character. I know, that line there looks a little crazy, but it’s true. Example: Wormtail.

Wormtail is the quintessential strong character with weak character. We know Wormtail, we know what he is capable of, and he makes choices that impact the world around him. His choice to frame Sirius has a major impact on the books, and Sirius’ life. That’s how he is a strong character.

But Wormtail has weak character. He’s not very good with right and wrong, and many of his choices are about doing what’s easy rather than what’s right. His moral compass doesn’t exactly point north, if you get my drift.

So yeah, try not to confuse the two. And internet, I wouldn’t mind if we could stop arguing about Bella Swan and whether she’s a strong character or has strong character. I don't have anything against those books, I'm just tired of people arguing over them. Thoughts?