Why Write?

A question I recently asked myself, "Lily, why do you write; what drives you to write?"

The answer is simple: "Because I have to."

Writing is something I love. Something I really can't live without. Ideas for stories pop inside my head almost non-stop. Different ideas can turn into one big idea, while other times I have to just write my ideas down in a notebook and get back to them later. When I write, I feel in control. I'm in control of the story. I'm in control of my characters actions. What happens depends on me.

Now, that doesn't mean that writing is a piece of cake for me either. I have my fair share of troubles as a writer, just like anybody else. For me, I have trouble with outlines. I could write a ten page story all in one sitting without an outline. And sure, it might be worthy for others to read, but without an outline my ideas and plans get jumbled and I'm not sure where my story is going next. It's all on a whim, and I don't like that.

So, I am teaching myself to outline. I know it will be difficult, but in the end will be worth it. Outlines, here I come!

Character Profiles

Okay, so recently I have discovered that writing down character profiles for your story is VERY important! Wow, Lily, you didn't realize this? No, I guess I didn't. If you must know, I am horrible with lists and outlines (I can make a list, I just have trouble following through with it)! I have been searching around on the internet for tips and things for writing a novel. The first thing that came up was: make character profiles. Creative Writing Now has great outlines for this very purpose:



For a young (school-aged) character

1.  Name:
2. Age:
3. Birthday:
4. General physical description:
5. Hometown:
6. Type of home/ neighborhood:
7. Father’s name, background, and occupation:
8. Mother’s name, background, and occupation:
9. Brothers and sisters:
10. Position in family:
11. Other close relatives:
12. Family relationships:
13. Special friends:
14. Enemies:
15. Influential person or event:
16. Grade in school:
17. Attitude toward school:
18. Grades:
19. Favorite pastimes:
20. Hobbies (music/art/reading material):
21. Favorite sports:
22. Favorite foods:
23. Dress style:
24. Religion:
25. Attitude toward religion:
26. Relationship with boys:
27. Relationship with girls:
28. Leader or follower:
29. Strongest positive personality trait:
30. Strongest negative personality trait:
31. Sense of humor:
32. Temper:
33. Consideration for others:
34. How other people see him/her:
35. Opinion of him/herself:
36. Other traits, especially those to be brought out in story:
37. Ambitions:
38. Philosophy of life:
39. Most important thing to know about character:
40. Will readers like or dislike this character, and why?

For an adult character

1. Name:
2. Age:
3. General physical description:
4. Hometown:
5. Type of home/ neighborhood:
6. Relationship status:
7. Current family:
8. Family background (parents, previous marriages, etc.):
9. Friends:
10. Other close relationships:
11. Relationship with men:
12. Relationship with women:
13. Job:
14. Dress style:
15. Religion:
16. Attitude to religion:
17. Favorite pastimes:
18. Hobbies:
19. Favorite sports:
20. Favorite foods:
21. Strongest positive personality trait:
22. Strongest negative personality trait:
23. Sense of humor:
24. Temper:
25. Consideration for others:
26. How other people see him/her:
27. Opinion of him/herself:
28. Other traits, especially those to be brought out in story:
29. Ambitions:
30. Philosophy of life:
31. Most important thing to know about this character:
32. Will readers like or dislike this character, and why?

These outlines have made it so much easier for me to get a good start on my novel!