Zig Zag Zip Writing

Welcome to my writing blog! This is a space of writing tips, writing prompts, and self-written stories. Feel free to sumbit your own writing or any ideas, tricks, or favourites you have! My writing website: https://zigzagzipwriting.weebly.com/ Table of Contents: https://zigzagzipwriting.tumblr.com/post/183551940429/welcome-to-zig-zag-zip-writing

[prideknights]

Hey everyone, we are working on a new t-shirt design and we need your feedback!

Which of these sketches do you like the most? A or B?

You can vote here: https://forms.gle/krsnU5PHt8n9cDDq8

[prideknights]

With 72% of the votes, A it is!

[prideknights]

Great idea! What do y’all think?

[yashaisbae]

Sounds amazing!!!

[kevin-the-19th]

A thousand times yes!

[zigzagzipwriting]

Yes yes yes! Maybe use a form for the names to submit - like if we were to do colours or groups based on flags like some people have suggested, we could have a form for name (since probably not everyone wants to go by blog name) and LGBTQ+ orientation (only if people are okay with submitting that info), and the pride knights’ logo (the sword) could be at the top of the back as well!

[zooofgod]

In light of recent events, this are some new troops I would like to see in my fanfics:

“We hate each other but we both storm Area 51 so now we have to share a cell.”

“We met storming Area 51 and we fell in love”

Person A is a badass who’s in jail for cool reason and Person B is a cute nerd who’s there for Storming Area 51.

“I’m gonna storm Area 51” “Please. Don’t”

And what the hell why not!

Area 51 stormer! X Escapee Alien!

Feel free to add more.

[zigzagzipwriting]

Person A storms Area 51, gets caught, and Person B has to join the second wave to break them out (bonus points for “You’re an idiot, you know?” “That’s why you love me!”) (extra bonus points for “I should have left you in that cell to rot.” “But’cha didn’t!”)

Person A makes increasingly more Storming Area 51 memes and Person B is growing concerned that they will actually do it

Person A, a guardian angel, has to protect Person B, an Area 51 Stormer, from the dangers of the raid

Area 51 stormer breaks into Area 51 only to find out they were an alien all along

Person A convinces Person B to join the raid only to find out Person B is secretly an alien/not human

An actually successful, not memed raid (because let’s face it, that only will happens in fiction)

[prideknights]

Hey fellow @prideknights. It’s time for our first mission. Who is with me?

[dim-nomss-blog]

Hell yeah!!

[prideknights]

It’s our mission to let the people who are struggling with their sexuality or gender identity know that they matter and that they are going to make it. It’s our duty as Pride Knights to empower others!

I believe in connecting with each other on a human level. I can tell from personal experience the profound impact it makes on someone’s life by reaching out to them in person.

That’s why I am asking you to reblog this post, click on the notes, go to a random blog and send them a message. It doesn’t have to be lengthy. It could be something like “Hey, I know we don’t know each other, but I want you to know that you are valid, strong and that you deserve to be respected. I got your back”.

We need to let each other know that we are there for one another. That we make an effort for another during the good and the bad times. So that together we can grow stronger! We must have faith that we have each other’s back. 

That’s what we are all about!

[writing-prompt-s]

Write journal entries from the perspective of the villain. Does he learn anything? What kind of impact does the main protagonist have on his consciousness? Does he trust his journal with his deepest darkest secrets? 

[zigzagzipwriting]

The Journal of Mayhem

Entry #13

I may have made a mistake.

As ridiculous as that sounds- me, Mayhem, the greatest villain of all time, making a mistake. Impossible!

… Okay, maybe I’m not the greatest villain of all time. Yet. I mean… technically before today no one even knew I existed. But that all changed! My deeds of spreading chaos and panic have finally been noticed! … unfortunately, in the wrong way.

On the bright side, I have my very own arch-nemesis! Finally, an equal! Our battles will be legendary!!!

… To be honest I hope I don’t have to fight this guy again. I never realized how much it hurt. The bloody bastard called me a murderer! I wasn’t trying to kill those plants! I just wanted to slowly flood the area around a college apartment so that the residents would get their shoes and- heaven forbid! their socks wet every time they entered and exited the building.

Truly, an ingenious evil plot, yes? It took me 5 weeks to come up with that grand scheme. Ah journal, you’re the only one who understands me.

Alas, it appears green capes are not as stealthy as one would think. I mean come on! I was in the bushes, just say that counts and continue on your way! You didn’t have to call for help. I wasn’t even finished my dastardly plot! At least let me finish before you get the freaking local vigilante to beat me up.

Jokes on him, I made a very quick strategic withdrawal! After all, I am the fastest runner in my gym class. Shoot, why did I write that, it could be traced to my secret identity! Curse you in-erasable ink pen! Ah well, it’s not like anyone other than me is going to read you, journal, so it doesn’t really matter.

Hmmm… in-erasable ink pen… Aha! My next ingenious plot has come to me! Not even my mysterious new arch-nemesis (who refused to introduce himself- pah, chivalry is dead!) will be able to stop me!

Sincerely,

Mayhem

Entry #15

I have discovered a core fact of life.

Punches hurt. A lot.

Come on, I didn’t even finish graffiting my logo onto the wall of that dorm complex! At least let me finish my artistic masterpiece! Stupid vigilante. I thought having an arch-nemesis would fun, but nooooooo. Banter and monologues? Nope. “Why are you doing this?”? Nope. “Who are you?”? Nope on either end. He still hasn’t introduced himself! Just shows up, dark cape flutter all the warning I get, and BAM! Thank goodness I have a mask, or I would have ended up with more than just a black eye.

Bloody moron.

Alas, my injuries have hindered my plans for now. I’m taking a break to recover.

On the bright side, my roommate has offered to teach me self defence. Apparently coming home with a black eye means I got into a fight with some upperclassmen, and I need to know how to defend myself. Please, I’ve been avoided and ignored my whole life. I know a thing or two about fighting.

That was a lie. I know nothing. Thank goodness my roommate knows self-defence and is sweet enough to teach me. I might not survive the next vigilante encounter without him.

Speaking of which, that’s him calling now. I really need a secret lair or something.

Sincerely,

Mayhem

P.S. I’ve never introduced you to my roommate, journal. His name is Kyle. He’s cool.

Entry #19

Haha! Screw you, nemesis! Bet you weren’t expecting me to block your punch this time!

To be fair, I have a sizable bruise on my arm now. Oh well, better the arm than the beautiful face. Good thing that jerk from Biology picked on me today in front of Kyle; gives me an alibi in case anyone witnessed my grand victory!

Well, okay, it was more the vigilante tried to get a swing on me as I stood on the roof of the gym contemplating my next scheme and I blocked him before mocking him on my victory and booking it. Hey, once is a block, twice is lucky, three times would be another punch to the face. I can’t have this jerk (who still refuses to say his vigilante name! I’m starting to wonder if he just doesn’t have one because he couldn’t think of anything) ruining my beautiful physique.

Unlike the surprised jerkface of a vigilante, my roommate is awesome. He’s like a sidekick or something; he’s proud of how fast I learned. In fact, I get to move on from blocking to more advanced techniques, and Kyle might even start teaching me how to kick and punch back! I can’t wait to see the look on the bloody idiot’s face when I pay him back for that cheap shot!

Sincerely,

Mayhem

P.S. I’m taking a break from huge dastardly plots and moving on to revenge against my nemesis. Granted, I’m still going to perform villainous deeds (like stealing all the pens around the school and drawing mustaches on every picture of all the stupid bullies and stuck-up jerks), but nothing too spectacular. I want to lure that vigilante into a false sense of security before I unleash my master plan (whatever that will eventually be).

Entry #25

Tomorrow I shall rain down death from above.

Some absolute jerk kicked my roommate. It was probably that bloody vigilante; I’m coming for you: I know who you truly are, you scumbag!

That’s a lie, the bloody jerk still won’t tell me his name. I’m not asking for your secret identity, I need something to call you other than insults (although insults are fine by me if you insist).

On other news, I got into a fight with that scumbag yesterday. I actually beat him up!

That’s another lie, I only got one kick in. But it’s something!

Sincerely,

Mayhem

Entry #29

Journal, analysis. I made my roommate laugh today and I got this weird feeling. It looked like the light was hitting his face just right and it lit up like the sun and I felt this mushy happy feeling? Like everything was fine and I didn’t need to be a villain anymore?

Just so you know, I’m not giving up villainy. Mayhem means too much to me.

But just… do I… like Kyle? Like… like like? Is that even okay?

It’s like… the opposite feeling of when I look at that bloody vigilante’s masked face. It’s really confusing.

What should I do?

Sincerely,

Mayhem

Entry #32

(All you can make out are tear stains and messy, confused scribbles.)

Entry #33

Something… weird happened tonight.

I was trying to sort of my feelings for my roommate on the roof of the college (in full Mayhem gear of course- a. I have a reputation to uphold, b. if any staff caught me on the roof at night, it would not end well, and c. the cape is a nice blanket for comfort or when it gets cold.). I was totally mature and logically sorting through my feelings.

Journal, by now you should know when I was lying. I was sobbing my eyes out in confusion.

But right in the middle of my lost breakdown, I hear a thump behind me. it was the vigilante. Didn’t say anything, just stared at me. I, um… might have had tears running out from under my mask. I’m not the cleanest crier. I know, I know, shocking. My, not perfect. Impossible.

But when I saw my nemesis, I thought… ‘This is it. The vigilante has me. I’m through. Goodbye college. Goodbye Kyle; guess I won’t need to sort out my feelings because I’m never going to see you again anyway.’

I just… gave up. I know, not my proudest moment. But it was not the best timing. I just couldn’t deal with it at the time. I sat on the edge of that roof, turned my back to my nemesis, and gave up. Waited for the smackdown followed by jail or expulsion or something.

Instead, the vigilante sat next to me.

Boom. Universe exploded. Mind freaked. Impossible.

I’m telling you, not a lie this time. My arch-nemesis sat next to me, and we talked. I don’t believe it either, and it just happened two hours ago. I got to get the conversation we had down on paper, or I’ll go crazy. I have it memorized: it’s been repeating in my head over and over again. (M = Me/Mayhem, N = Nemesis). Also, this is all in sobs and awkward silences.

N: “Hey… are you okay?”

M: “Who wants to know.”

N: (Awkward pause) “Um, me?”

M: “You never introduced yourself. I don’t even know your name, why should I trust this isn’t a trap?”

N: “Well- I mean- I mean you’re- I can’t just tell you my secret identity!”

M: “No, I mean anything to call you by! Mayhem isn’t my real name, but you still call me that! What the heck should I call you?!?”

N: “Oh- um, I don’t really have a name- I wasn’t really expecting that question- I wasn’t really expecting any of this.”

M: “How am I supposed to be the world’s greatest villain with a no name, no face arch-nemesis?”

N: “The world’s greatest- we’re in college! I don’t think the people down the street have heard of you or me.”

M: “So I’m beaten by nobody, or rather, anyone. Fantastic to lighten my mood, thanks.”

N: “I don’t even know what I’m doing here.”

M: “Neither do I. Can’t I mope in piece without a beatdown?”

N: “Well excuse me, I just heard crying and thought it was… doesn’t matter. I just wanted to help.”

M: “Says the guy that gave me a black eye first time we met.”

N: “Hey! a) that wasn’t the first time we met; you ran away the first type, and b) you were defacing school property.”

M: “I wasn’t running, it was a strategic withdrawal! And you could have at least let me finish the logo of my artistic masterpiece.”

N: “I did go back and feel bad. I may have overreacted. I thought you were a threat.

M: “As you should, Nemesis.”

N: “Nemesis?”

M: “If you’re not going to come up with a vigilante name, I’m going to come up with one for you.”

N: (Clearing throat to change the subject) “So what are you doing up here?”

M: “Nothing.”

N: “Says the local villain. What are you planning?”

M: “Nothing. I’m just… thinking…”

N: “About?”

M: “Something I don’t want to talk about to someone who beats me up every week.”

N: “... I’m sorry.”

M: “What?”

N: “I’m sorry. I just… I took up vigilantism in college because I wanted to protect those who are beaten up, physically, mentally, verbally, emotionally… someone close to me went through some tough times, and I always wanted to help but didn’t think I was doing enough. I decided to beat up the threats before they could inflict damage, and I thought you were one of them.”

M: “...”

N: “It’s just…”

M: “I understand.”

N: “What?”

M: “I’ve been in some tough times too. Mayhem is a safety blanket, an outlet. Spreading chaos is my way of fighting back, of being heard. Nemesis is your outlet.”

N: “I’m sorry for beating you up. To be fair, you didn’t make it easy.”

M: “You were being a grumpy, quiet douche. You deserved that kick to the nards.”

N: “Yeah, well, I returned the favour the next week.”

M: “I know. It hurt. A lot.”

(We actually laughed together. It was a bit strained, and I blame my emotionality, but we laughed.)

N: “So, know that we know each other a little better, do you want to talk about why you’re here? Would you rather fight to blow off some steam?”

M: “Nah, I don’t feel like fighting. I just feel... confused and lost.”

N: “What happened?”

M: “Agh, it’s stupid.”

N: “We’re literally two guys in capes talking on the roof of a college try me.”

M: “I think I… like my roommate.”

N: “Well, positive social interaction is very difficult, especially for villains-”

M: “I mean like like.”

N: “Oh. Like… love?”

M: “Crush! It’s a simple crush!”

N: “I can see your blush under your mask.”

M: “This is ridiculous, talking to my arch-nemesis about love.”

N: “Well?”

M: “Well what?”

N: “Is it reciprocal?

M: “I don’t even know if he likes guys, not even talking about if he likes me!”

And then I kid you not journal, Nemesis starts giving me relationship advice. How to realize if it’s a crush or love, how to confess, dating, the works. I mean, we hated each other’s guts yesterday. And now he’s just a normal guy. Helping me. My arch-nemesis is helping me!

I have no idea if I can trust him or not. For all I know he could be setting me up.

On the bright side, I’ve sorted through my feelings about Kyle. On the dark side, I have no idea how to feel about Nemesis. Are we enemies? Do we become friends? I have no idea what’s going to happen.

Sincerely,

Mayhem

Entry #34

So I’m getting an idea of what’s happening. Honestly, I like it.

Wake up, Kyle teaches me self-defence/hangout, classes, Mayhem vs. Nemesis, hanging with Kyle/homework, talking with Nemesis at night about school and love and stuff, sleep, repeat.

I’m getting close to confessing to Kyle. And I’m gaining a friendship with Nemesis.

I know, impossible. Lies. Jokes.

Nope. It’s the truth. Cool, huh journal.

Seriously, how can a villain and his arch-nemesis be… friends?!? I can’t even believe I’m writing this down. I mean, how can I spectacularly beat up my nemesis (translation: he kicks my ass) when I feel bad about it?

Though, full disclosure, he deserved that punch to the gut two days ago. He was being a bloody jerk again, stopping my glorious new plan. I finally, FINALLY come up with a devilish new plan after weeks, and he dashes it off into rubble in two minutes.

Also, he gloated in front of some students watching our glorious battle. That’s my thing, back off!

Oh! I have glorious news~! Kyle agreed to go with me on a date!!!

Well, it’s not a date date.

… It’s not a date at all, actually.

But he agreed to go to the movies with me, something Nemesis advised me was a staple of ‘first date’ locations! Haha! Success!

No, we weren’t planning this movie night for weeks.    …    It was since we saw the trailer a couple months ago.

But that doesn’t matter! We’re going to sushi afterward, so there! That wasn’t in our original plan! This is going to be awesome.

Sincerely,

Mayhem

P.S. I was too delirious on ...love… to write a new entry, so think of this as an edit update. I just got back from my date. Journal, it was so incredible I’m speechless. And you know how impossible that is. And sure, Kyle doesn’t see it as more than friendship, but I am so excited to spill the tea to Nemesis! … once I calm down from this unfamiliar rush of positive emotions.

P.P.S. Holy hell I am not dishing this to Nemesis. I’d never hear the end of it.

Entry #39

A storm is coming. I’ve finally done it. Once an impossible dream, now a reality.

No, I haven’t confessed to Kyle. Yet.

I’m talking about my other grand goal. My master plan, my finally grand master plan, my ultimate vision, the absolute annihilation of my arch-nemesis. Yes, I know Nemesis and I are technically friends now. Look, it’s complicated.

I will defeat him in a final battle of epic proportions so huge, he will never be a threat again! Pound him into dust, crush him like the speck of mud that he is under my gloriously fashionable shoe! He will be so soundly defeated, I’ll invite him to Taco Tuesday with me and Kyle and force him to pay the tab because he’ll forever be in my debt! hahaha, Ahahahhahahha, AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!

… Don’t look at me like that, journal. I’m a broke-ass college student, let me have my traditions. I already get enough judgement, I don’t need yours too.

Ahem. Back to evilness.

Just as I have so brilliantly planned before, I shall use this false sense of calm to utterly destroy Nemesis. I’ll bait him to into final fight on the roof where we usually meet, and defend and attack him flawlessly with the skills Kyle has taught me. I’ll go easy on him, luring him into a second false sense of victory, playing a draw, when I’ll unleash my true strength that will leave him helpless before me! Finally, all your mysteries will be mine! You will sing for me your symphony of tears! YOU WILL BEG FOR MY MERCY, AND I WILL SIMPLY REPLY “then beg.” TOMORROW IS THE DAY NEMESIS ENDS, AND MAYHEM REINS SUPREME!

Sincerely,

Mayhem

Entry #40

(Throughout the tear stains, rips, and ink blots, all you can make out is “....onononononono....I’ve made...mistake.….impossible….can’t b….abening…. Nemesis…... fight….. I…d...on’t…... Kyle…..He must hate me…..Do I hate him?”)

(There doesn’t appear to be a signature this time.)

Entry #41

Nemesis is Kyle.

Entry #50

It’s been about a week since my last entry, although you might not remember it, journal. I might have ripped out a few pages. Well, maybe a bit more than a few. Sorry, journal. Things were... stressful. At least nine survived, eleven if you count the two blurry tear-stained ones. And some of the core ones too. Not that many embarrassing ones either. They’re where they belong. Burning in hell.

Ahem. I went through my old entries. I realized how dumb I was. Looking back now… I can laugh. Impossible, considering the amount of stuff that went down. When I said a storm was coming, I didn’t know how much I meant it.

I should probably explain, journal, since all those entries were lost to the winds of time.

I challenged Nemesis to a final duel like I planned. We fought, it was this big climactic battle with a lot of insults, monologues, and cliques, but not that much actual contact. Everything was going well until the surprise weakness switch moment. I underestimated Nemesis’ awareness, my own newfound strength, and how difficult it is to fight in a cape when tired.

Needless to say, things went south. I almost fell off the roof. Everything went to emotion hell. Then I actually fell off the roof.

Let me explain.

I wanted to surprise him by grabbing him and swing him to his knees. That was the plan.

The plan did not account for the fact that I am very light. And that capes are actually pretty easy to trip on.

Case in point, I swing too hard, tripped, and fell off the roof.

Granted, it’s not a high roof. I wasn’t dumb enough to battle on the highest room of the dorms. But it stilled might’ve hurt. (And when I eventually did fall, it did, in fact, hurt, but it was more emotionally than physically.)

However, I didn’t fall until later, so something must have stopped me. That ‘something’ being Nemesis.

You know the picture; me, in my villain costume, green cape, mask, hanging on the edge of the roof with Nemesis, in his dark hoodie and vigilante getup, clutching my arm for dear life, trying to keep me from falling. And of course, at that moment, both our masks (and in Nemesis’ case, his hood as well) slip off. Hey, we were fighting, and then suddenly it was quick adrenaline action, and gravity and physics exist, plus wind, and the universe was screwing with us- it doesn’t matter if it seems impossible; it happened, okay!

So, um, yeah. Nemesis is Kyle. My roommate, my… love… is also my arch-nemesis. The guy I’ve been fighting, the person I’ve kicked in the nards, punched in the gut… The guy who punched me in the face and gave me love advice on how to, well, date him.

It was a shock for me. And it was a shock for him too.

It wasn’t that he dropped me, I kinda let go, it was just… a mess.

I didn’t even feel the pain from the ground. I just bolted. And cried. I thought he must hate me. I didn’t know if I should hate him. We didn’t speak, and avoided our dorm apartment except for silent sleep.

It took a while, but we processed everything. We figured our feelings about the whole… situation. We talked it out. And it’s… okay. We’re… okay.

It’s funny; Kyle took up the Nemesis persona as the local vigilante to protect me. He wanted to beat up any bullies or threats before they could pick on me. Turns out Kyle’s had a crush on me since forever. So when he saw Mayhem…

Kyle didn’t know that I had my own way to cope. My own persona to feel safer, more powerful, like I was making an impact, being heard. Mayhem was my crutch. Kyle understands that. Nemesis was his crutch when he felt he couldn’t do anything for me.

So. All that time I thought I was spending between Kyle and Nemesis (and you, journal), and it was just Kyle all along.

The irony is that Kyle was not only teaching me how to beat him up, but how to love him.

Oh yeah, we laughed at our obliviousness. Love, fighting, it’s all the same in a way. We might still continue our routine; it’s fun, it’s familiar, and we’ve started our own sort of fan-base here in the college. I’m pretty sure one of the art majors is doing a comic.

Well, I have to go. Don’t want to be late for my second and first official date with Kyle.

After all, what’s better than dating your best friend?

Dating your arch-Nemesis.

Sincerely,

Mayhem and Nemesis

[zigzagzipwriting]

WMaCC? Types of Characters and Backstories

Types:

Hero ~ Seen as superior/admirable to the reader, confident, no hesitations or self-doubt in actions, fantastical or powerful, doesn’t change over the course of the story because they already are at ‘peak position’ (ie. James Bond, Indiana Jones, Sherlock Holmes)

The Average ~ Equal/sympathetic/identifiable to the reader, relatable desires/needs and doubts/struggle to overcome obstacles {ie. McClane “Die Hard”}

The Underdog ~ Inferior to the reader (inspires the reader to feel compassion and a want to help, protect, and/or console them), an unlikely hero, outmatched and overwhelmed, handicaps and hardships, inspires admiration for their determination and suspense of outcome (unlikely success) {ie. Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins)

The Lost Soul/Anti-Hero ~  Opposite to the reader, the dark side of human nature, sometimes not immediately likable but hold a certain quality about them after reader learns about them, often the antagonist, readers sometimes see a dark part of themselves hidden in the character. Some questions that intrigue the reader are what makes the character the way they are, what motives do they have, how the character defies normal laws and social laws, identification on the alignment chart, and how they show the reader the dark side {ie. “The Godfather”)

Backstory & Wounds:

Your character’s life before the story affects their attitude, values, and personality - shapes them into who they are before the journey

Your character doesn’t just ‘start’ when your story starts; they have memories, been through events that have shaped and changed them for better or worse

History, family, education, socialization, adventures, childhood

Some characters will have wounds - past trauma that caused emotional wounds never healed and haunt the character, fears, near-death situations, a bad experience or relationship, something that makes a current event remind your character of a past event and makes them uncomfortable and scared

Victimizing Characters:

Undeserved mistreatment, injustice and contempt ~ Teasing, humiliation, mockery, embarrassment, being snubbed or passed over, prejudice, false accusation, physical brutality and violence. Abused, exploited or made to suffer, abandonment, loneliness, or neglect

Undeserved misfortune ~ Death of a loved one, loss of someone or something important or valuable, someone down on his luck, someone who has had an accident, or sheer bad luck

Physical, mental, health or financial handicaps (underdogs) ~ Physical deformity, handicap, mental illness, who are trapped by their situation or by a fear or phobia, are ugly, burdened by addiction or disease, or enduring extreme poverty or hardship

Suffering an injury ~ Injured or wounded and in pain or danger, emotionally haunted or wounded (generate empathy in the reader)

Fear ~ A secret being found out, a desperate need to achieve a certain goal. A great need that might crush your character if they fail to achieve it

Revealing weakness or vulnerability ~ Suffering pain, grief, self-doubt, fear reaching rock bottom, lost all hope

Betrayal or deception ~ Typically villain/antagonist or traitor to the hero/protagonist, but can be used to the opposite degree when the hero does it to a villain

Disbelieved when telling the truth

Exclusion and rejection ~ Need for love and belonging, unrequited love, involuntary outcasts, loners, misfits.

Regret for mistakes made ~ Shows human quality and adds relatability and sympathy to your character

Jeopardy ~ Danger (ie. of being captured, maimed, killed, arrested, caught out, exposed) bigger the danger, the greater the reader empathy

Vulnerability ~  Adds realism to tension when you show that your character can be killed, trapped, enslaved, destroyed politically or professionally, or ruined financially or socially. You’re not afraid to kill off a character if necessary, and your reader will be left worrying for your character’s safety. Vulnerability can come from the character’s own physical, mental or emotional shortcomings and conflicts as well as from the plots of the antagonist

Antagonist Backstories:

While the “Tragic Past” or simply being “evil for evil sake” is good and can still work, it’s a cliche and overused. There are multiple ways that any character, even your hero, could become the ‘villain’/antagonist.

Fear: Doing bad things because they are afraid

Gullibility/Miscommunication: They have been tricked another antagonistic character or misinformed (ie. someone who has been told the villains are out to hurt them)

Low Self-Confidence: They are told they are evil and believe it, don’t think they can break out of the cycle even if they tried, the public and hero has a certain view on them that they can’t break, etc.

Pressure: They want to change their allegiance, but are pressured by people close to them to stay evil. In some cases, the environment or the way they grew up might trap a character (ie. evil society or heritage, or they simply don’t know better because that’s how they grew up)

Desperation: They are desperate for interaction, validation, love, kindness, family, attention, an outlet, understanding, etc, and the dark side gives them those things

“Slytherin Syndrome”: A character has an otherwise noble goal that they are willing to do literally anything to achieve. Hero’s/Protagonists can fall into this same trap of sacrifices for the ‘greater good’, and stories with Slytherin Syndrome can question the line of the protagonist and the antagonist, and if one is in the right or in the wrong (remember: it’s all about perspective; your antagonist will believe they are the hero, and you can let your reader feel that way too). Examples: Somebody who wants to protect their child, even if it means throwing other children into danger. A villain trying to raise awareness and/or break free of an abusive background, even if they are viewed as a typical ‘evil for evil’s sake’ villain by others.

[zigzagzipwriting]

WMaCC? Identify Your Character’s:

Self Identity - How your character defines themselves in life (gender identity, race, sexuality, religion, ancestry, interests). Identity changes interactions and presentation to/with the world, and how the world views your character

Perspective - Your character’s view/lens of the world, which is affected by upbringing, religious and political beliefs, education, social influences, relationships)

Type - Relationships of your character (what they look for in a friendship, romance, or guidance), why such relationships are healthy and fulfilling, and why the character gravitates toward these types of people

Language - Your character’s unique voice (speech patterns, vocabulary, and accent), which is affected by how, when, and where they were raised, personality, experiences, and level of education

Attitude - Is your character an optimistic, pessimistic, or realistic? This affects your character’s everyday attitude, how they see the world, and how conflicts affect them

Happy Place - When and/or where does your character feel the happiest, loved, and accepted ~ showcasing your character at their best to highlight the moment where they are at their worst

Support - Relationships with loved ones or mentors (guide, encouragement, and challenge)

Gut - Gut feelings ~ Gives your reader a better understanding of your character, foreshadows danger/tension, and instinct is a common human drive/moment)

Bane - Breaking point (what it takes to push the character to this point)

Refuge - Safe haven when all seems lost/most needed, a recharge place for the climax, somewhere to regroup and plan

Redemption - Have your character mess up, make decisions that harm themselves or others, and fail/ It’s how they make things right that defines who they are at heart

Glory - The journey shapes who they become (for better or worse). Ask yourself: is the positive development worth the fight? What is your character willing to risk for that ‘change’/’glory’?

Alignment - Where the character falls on the alignment chart (lawful good, neutral good, chaotic good, lawful neutral, true neutral, chaotic neutral, lawful evil, neutral evil, or chaotic evil)

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WMaCC? Give Your Character:

A Goal - Something your character work towards, whether it be safety, a job, saving something, regaining something lost, or anything that is the basis of their journey. Some characters can have a different inner goal to their outer goal

Important to the character (forms plot); an obstacle to the goal results in conflict and emotion

A character has a number of goals but one main: the story goal

Examples:

Resolve a conflict

Make a decision

Meet a challenge

Solve a mystery

Overcome an obstacle

A Motivation - Why your character pursue that goal, and the determination of what they are willing to do to achieve that goal

Behaviour is motivated/spurred by something

Motives: Why a character acts a certain way

ie. Hero commits a crime (readers empathize and identify with the character only if they know it was for a good or important reason)

Need (which might be unknown to the character) is different from desire/goal. Create inner need vs. outer goal creates conflict (ie. character torn between what they feel and what they want to do, or their code/values and what they have to do)

Purpose - If it doesn’t shape the plot, changes the protagonist’s world, affects your character or other characters, affects the reader, or add value to the story and the way you are telling it, don’t include it

A Fear - Doubts, insecurities (affect actions, mindsets, and relationships)

Fears (especially emotional) are compelling flaws (ie. fear of commitment, fear of failure, fear of not being good enough, fear of being unlovable)

A Flaw - Relationships, fears, disappointments, discontent, actions (no one is perfect)

Negative traits & fears, resentments, or physiological wounds and other emotional issues

Weaknesses are more important than strengths because they create problems

An unlikable protagonist (anti-hero) needs to be the most interesting character in the story to captivate your reader

A History - Past, heritage, childhood, backstory (shapes character), how your character will handle the journey, defines personality, values, and everything that makes up your character

A Present Story - Journey, quest (instead of telling the backstory, focus on the now/present your character is going through)

Personality - Affects your characters words, actions, relationships, and worldview

Positive, negative, and neutral traits

Habits, quirks, mannerisms

Likes and dislikes, interests

Hobbies, talents

A unique combination of major and minor traits, positive and negative traits, strengths and flaws (and allow them to connect and flow with each other; a determined but clumsy character, a stubborn but loyal character, fiery and strong, quiet and creative. However, you can also use stark contrast: quiet yet fiercely passionate, introverted adventurer, short-tempered but gentle, etc.)

Interests - Passions, hobbies, certain skills your character possesses, and if they are willing to share their interests with others

Ruling Passion - An issue, compulsion, intense dedication

A Quirk/Habit - A strange/unique qualities, habit, behaviour, skill, and/or ability that makes your character stand out in a crowd & memorable to your reader (ie. a particular fidget under stress, a certain tone or squeal in their voice when excited, a skill like reading while upside down for the fun of it, cowering behind the nearest tall person when scared or intimidated, something akin to their personality or past, and more). Give details about your character to the reader. Also, a character can and should have more than one quirk, and characters close to that  character can pick up, trade, or share habits either through conscious teachings, genetics, force, or subconsciously

A Name - Make your character’s name have a purpose, hold power, and be memorable/hold value to your reader. When your reader hears that name in real life, you want to remind them of your character (ie. Harry - “Harry Potter”, James - “James Bond”, Alexander - “Alexander Hamilton”). Names should indicate the time period, your character’s ancestry, and the naming system for a fictional world

A Desire - Desires are more powerful motivators than regular determination  ~ it can be a push to great deeds or temptation to take regrettable actions quickly, especially if a  time limit or danger is present

A Love - While not every story needs to be about romantic love, there are other times of love (friendship, family, close bond, asexual or aromantic, community, adored pet, something or someone they connected deeply to, etc.). Giving a character someone or something to love to care about instils an idea of joy, hope, and possibility

A Value/Agency - Voice your character’s truth, let them take action, and give them a personal agenda or power/agency

Their own, individual point of view

Beliefs, Values, and Morals

Attitudes - Opinions, their point of view of the world

Things your character cares about (ie. security, family, freedom)

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WMaCC? Nothing Comes Easy: Conflict Makes Your Character

Make your Character:

Complex - Put them in as many diverse situations as possible, and use their traits and values to determine their reaction and the outcome

Unique - Avoid stereotypes and worn-out character tropes; make your character stand out in a crowd and memorable to your reader

Relatable - Give them some humanity or way of connection to the reader ~ even the evilest characters need something that is relatable/seen as human so they reader sympathizes or is intrigued by them

Fail - Failure establishes growth, lets your character learn from their mistakes, produces internal conflict and adds to the external conflict, adds stakes, and shows your reader you are not afraid to put your character into the most dangerous situation possible with an unhappy ending

Suffering - Take your character from a high point to a low point; it proves your character’s mettle/determination to reach their goal, endears the reader, and defines growth in your character

Sweat - Make your character work for their goal (blood, sweat and tears); your reader will be more engaged and invested in your character’s success if it’s not instant/easy

Conflict & High Stakes:

What your character stands to gain or lose (the more dire consequences of losing, the more real the situation looks)

“How badly does the hero want the goal?”

“What is the (protagonist) prepared to do - and risk - to get it?”

“What is at stake?”

Stakes escalate during story and peak at the climax

Think of it like a video game: it starts ‘easy’ and grows more difficult over time until it reaches the ‘final boss’, otherwise the player/character fails too early on without recovery (failure is good, but not an impossible situation where the only chance of winning is some ‘plot device/deus ex machina”

Global (ie. affecting a community, country, or world)

Personal (ie. affecting someone the protagonist cares about, the fate of another character the protagonist cares about)

The more emotional the stakes, the more the reader will care about the outcome

Antagonist:

The main antagonist should be a strong, determined opponent who pushes the protagonist to their limits; if they are easy to defeat, they might not serve the purpose of the main conflict and high stakes (unless your story depends on your protagonists reaching some sort of epiphany because of a weaker antagonist). Opposition causes conflict, and if the antagonist is able to compete or thwart your protagonist and is as strong or stronger than them, it adds to the stakes and creates power struggle dynamics within your story.

Strong does not necessarily mean physically powerful. Your antagonist might be weak, but uses some other skill such as manipulation, smarts, or empathy in replacement

Your character’s true nature is revealed by how they deal with conflict set up by the antagonist or their own hand. The worse things get for them and the more your character reveals their growth under pressure, the closer your readers will bond with them.

A strong antagonist will create conflict that:

Force the hero to face their darkest fear and deepest pain.

Force your character to overcome their greatest weakness

Drive your character to the limits of what they can take physically, mentally, and emotionally

Heroes who are forced to give more than 100% of their effort in order to defeat the antagonist are more dynamic and create more sympathy than a character who gets a ‘free win’. One trouble must always lead to another, and trouble must continue to escalate to the end of the story, so your hero can never relax

“How can I make my hero’s quest more difficult, agonizing and seemingly impossible?”

“What’s the worst time for things to get worse?”

Avoid ‘evil’ opponents; they’re cliqued, easily forgotten, and rarely interesting. The opponent doesn’t even have to be a villain – strong opposition can come from an ally with a different agenda or someone who has serious doubts about what the protagonist is doing or their ability to succeed at it

Making the antagonist ‘human’/relatable to human mistakes gives their motives power and reader understanding, gives the antagonist credibility, and makes them a worrying threat

Give the villain some positive or likeable qualities and worthy objectives. Make them face obstacles, doubts, and setbacks, and let them overcome them through their own personal journey. It makes them seem far more real and threatening because they’re a ‘dark mirror’/contrast to your protagonist as the opposite of the hero

Make the antagonist active, always working to defeat the hero and often fighting them in person. Too many opponents lurk in the background as if they only work part-time, and they lose characterization time and reader interest

If the identity of the antagonist has to remain hidden until the ‘plot twist’/thriller, build them up by showing the hero’s fear of them rising throughout the story, and by showing the antagonist knocking down obstacles one by one

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WMaCC? Intrigue and Relate to Your Reader

Heighten the Emotional Bond Between Reader and Character:

Use recognition (ie. understanding, empathy, and transportation)

Use fascination (ie. get reader attached to characters who are different)

Use mystery (ie. emotional sense, curiosity, anticipation, “What will this character do next?”)

Readers feel sympathy and compassion for victims and underdogs:

Innocent victims who face a far more powerful foe yet are determined and never give up, and characters who are vulnerable because of their size, age, sex, health, mental or emotional state, an injury, etc.

Deserving because of their positive character traits (optimism, courage, steadfastness, selflessness, compassion, generosity, etc). A character can be in trouble, an underdog and vulnerable, but if they’re also lazy, selfish or a whining liar, readers won’t care what happens to him.

Contradiction/Paradoxes:

Conflicting traits and values

Contrasting needs and desires

Be Subtle:

Drop hints (not too obvious) as to secrets a character might be hiding, what their home/relationship with family is like, and what their past/present include (especially of a side character, side protagonist, antagonist, or any character not narrating the story)

Leave things open and normal, but let the character have some secrets that can be discovered later that jars the reader and makes them sympathize/attach to the character

Let the reader make inferences and theories

ie. subtle hints they might be abused or have an unstable home, they might have a secret identity, or they might not be (fully) human

Especially works if the secret is opposite or contradicting to personality but still fits ie. cheerful person covering suffering

Make it seem like the secret belongs to another character through misdirection/false hints to guide attention away from the character

Play on Stereotypes/Cliques/Expectations:

Play on the expectations of the reader

Start with a stereotype and end somewhere completely different

Use stereotypes to highlight different aspects of a character/inspire growth

Use surprise, humour, and misdirection

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WMaCC? Relationship Between Your Characters

The way your character interact/act around others, how they think about other characters, how their love life affects them and their journey, and a character’s opinions and grudges show your readers a lot about your character without directly telling them. For example, it showcases your character’s thoughts and views, their flaws and strengths, and establishes other characters in your story. Relationships don’t always have to be cliqued romance. While those are perfectly fine, try adding some diversity to your story to make it stand out in your reader's mind. Some examples of relationship types are:

Aromantic or Asexual relationships

Parent/Child

Siblings

Aggressor/Victim

Rivals/Adversaries

Best Friends

Boss/Employee

Caregiver/Receiver

Cop/Criminal

Partners (in business, crime, etc.)

Slave/Master

Human/Environment

Human/God

Human/Pet

Casual Acquaintances

Unrequited/one-sided love

And of course, romance

So, what can you do to utilize these relationships in perspective of showcasing your character and making your story unique/leave an impact on your reader?

Make your character stop and think about others

Give an introspect/insight to your character’s inner thoughts

Uses pros and cons, love and hate, doubts, opinions, likes, and insecurities in   inner dialogue add more building and relatability to your character

Use a soliloquy

Challenge your character's thoughts and feelings, especially of others (specifically people they know personally)

“I love him, but why?”

“What’s the real reason I hate her?”

“What needs to happen so I can get over this?”

“Will they like me?”

“Will they understand me?”

“Who am I against?”

“Who am I for?”

Give your character strong opinions

Opinions and personal values make your character unique and let them stand out in a crowd. Opinions are your character’s voice; every character has different opinions and expresses them differently, even if they might seem similar, and they can change over time due to experiences, growth, and conflict

Even if your character is shy or introverted, let them showcase their opinions in their inner dialogue and thoughts. While it should match your character’s overall personality (unless they are being suppressed in some way on the outside or suppressing inner thoughts), allow your character to show how they feel about a certain person or event. Remember, no one (except the reader, who does not exist in your story) can hear your character's thoughts, so they don’t have to worry what others think of their inner opinions

Not every character needs to be good at expressing their opinions. Some might stutter, or not know the right words to use, or become frustrated. The big ‘rallying speech’ might come naturally to some characters, and some might mess up. It all adds to the differences between characters

What are your character’s opinions of others? What are their thoughts? Their feelings for/against certain people, events, actions, places, etc.? How do they react to the conflict?

Remember, if a character has personality traits or feelings of anger/fury, they are more likely to show their strong opinions either as thoughts or to other characters. The same can be done using ‘extreme’ emotions or situations with high pressure or atmosphere, like love, stress, or when a character simply has enough

Use gossip, love, callousness/hate, and shallow or deep thinking for a wide variety of opinions. Some characters have simpler thought patterns, while others have deep logic based. Some are driven by emotion or creativity, and those thoughts might be a little messier

Play a game of risk with your character

Have your character make sacrifices/risk something for another. It can be anything from a friendship, job, personal, or the arguably most impactful, personal safety and risking their life or even dying for someone

Putting everything at stake despite personal interest/safety - raises the stakes of the conflict and adds high tension to the scene. Show that you’re not afraid to let a character be injured or even die to add realism to the scene (you do not have to kill the character, but if the threat is real enough, your reader will take the story more seriously and worry for your character). Essentially, make one of your characters willing to die for another, and put them in the position where that could happen

Risks are a test of character - what are they willing to do, and what is their limit

Risks and the threat of loss in any way make your reader root for the character

Add a hypotenuse/triangle

I know, it’s been done to death already. But there is power in a love triangle, square, or a change in the rules for something unique. It’s a huge test of each character, and reveals traits, both positive and negative, in the ‘competition’, and causes tension between all characters involved. It also leaves an emotional impact on the reader, especially when one character ‘loses’ or intentionally gives up for another character’s sake.

Complications in love, especially across multiple people, can lead to complex relationships

Make all characters flushed out and 3D for full impact - Don’t show immediately which two characters are going to ‘hook up’ in the end (if any pairings do) by having one character have no impact or form. It’s boring, cliqued, and drops

Make a reason why a pair can’t be together

Human, animal, career, addiction, a call to adventure, obligation, etc.

Emotions & relationships aren’t rational - motivations that can lead to quick, bad decisions

Some examples of unique and impactful love triangles are ‘Angelica, Eliza, and Hamilton’ from the musical “Hamilton”, the complex love square between two characters with secret identities such as ‘Marinette/Ladybug and Adrien/Cat Noir’ from “The Miraculous Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir”, or complications between the ‘villain’/antagonist and the ‘hero’/protagonist (especially with hidden identities), which often leads to hurt from either end and emotional sympathy from the reader

Leverage the group

People act differently depending on the situation and who they are with. For example, a normally cheerful person might turn cold around someone they dislike, or a social person in a group might get awkward in a one-on-one. In a group, relationships and alliances are ever-changing, depending on circumstances

Some places where leveraging the group takes place are a mob, gang, organization, work, school, or large event

A character might put on a ‘social/public mask’, especially if they are a victim of abuse or other forms of suppressant (be it personal or outward)

Befriend ambiguity

Don’t over explain relationships; let the reader make inferences. Not everything needs a full detail story on all the ‘wrongs’  a character has done, or every interaction. You don’t have to say this person is a lover, or that this parent is an alcoholic. Instead, use body language, descriptions, and how that character interacts with the main character to show who they are

Show, not tell

A reader’s instinct is to assume that there is more than meets the eye; they recognize a person has many layers, and that some layers are more hidden than others. For example, use contradictions to show diversity, like how in every adult, there’s a bit of a child, or in every cop, there’s a bit of a criminal. There’s a little ‘good’  in your antagonist/villain, and a little ‘bad/evil’ in your protagonist/hero

Tap into the power of a grudge

Show your reader if your character is the kind who holds grudges, forgives, or acts on revenge. It adds to your relationships, especially when a character has been ‘wronged’, even accidentally, and can be impactful in the relationship between the protagonist and antagonist. Does one character forgive the other? Do they take action against them out of vengeance? Grudges can be from either side, and they can be both ways. In addition, a grudge doesn’t have to be suited on facts. There should be a reason, not just instant ‘hate’, but it can be accidental or a misunderstanding

Characters with a certain type of personality are more likely to hold and act on impulsive grudges to the point of vengeance & destruction. For example:

Someone with very low self-esteem but a big ego (ie. the stereotypical ‘popular/mean’ kid)

‘Eye for an eye’: those who suffer pay back the world (the more suffering the character has induced, the more grudgeful revenge) ~ this is a common backdrop of victims, and a possible backstory for antagonist/villains

A sensitive character + suffering mass injustices, intolerable shame, stress, and degrading = believable eventual snap/murderous rage ~ it’s possible for a sweet character to have a realistic snap, especially if they hold everything to themselves without an outlet

Make the reader wish for the character to snap back

Don’t overlook everyday interactions

A chance encounter with a stranger can be powerful enough to transform a moment, or a day, even to change your life

Acquaintanceships and how your character interacts with close strangers shows the reader your character’s social views/standings

No relationship is clear-cut/black and white;  little details scatter off to form webs of interconnecting stories

Let your characters approach others, glance off them, then continue on different trajectories - everyone has their own story in life, and sometimes stories interconnect through a shared space, goal, or person

If you have multiple stories that take place in the same universe, it can be a fun nod to subtly include references or characters from other series for readers

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WMaCC? Writing Your Character’s Story

It’s the character that shapes the story. Without them, there would be no plot, no drive. It’s how they change, how they influence the setting, plot, and other characters, and how one action or decision affects the entire piece of writing. It’s the changing journey of past, present, and future: one big story of was, is, and will become that engages your readers and shapes your character. But what is that journey? That is for you, the writer, to decide, and your readers to interpret.

Story:

Past: The story begins before the first page of your writing. It’s crafting the background of the setting and the history of your character.

Backstory/History: Everything between birth and the start of your writing 

Who they are before the writing begins? 

What shaped them into that person: their life, every memory, every stepping stone in their timeline

Present: This is what your reader experiences when they open your writing. The plot, the opening, the journey, the struggles, the accomplishments, everything that produces change (or in some cases, lack of change).

Journey: The great adventure or main conflict of your writing

What launches the character into the journey that changes their world?

Mistakes a character makes on the journey

Trials a character faces and how they are affected

What is the character’s fight? What do they strive for?

Who helps the character?

How do they overcome obstacles?

Future: This is the ending of your writing, the end of the journey. Your character has most likely changed throughout their story, and this is the chance to show your reader what comes next.

Who do they become because of the journey?

How are they different from the beginning of the story?

Epilogues or setting up for a sequel

Change ~ Character Arc:

Most people, and therefore characters, are naturally going to resist change when possible. That’s why characters tend to come out of conflict with newfound lessons or change - a need for change creates stress, conflict, reader interest, and sympathy.

Change is more interesting than consistency - it induces variety and stimulates reader’s curiosity

“Can this character change? If so, how? What will the consequences be?”

Struggle adds power, significance, and uplifting emotional experience to the story

Change through conflict provides readers with an insight into human nature and a model for their own lives. Everyone is imperfect, no matter what they or others think. That’s what being human is about. It’s showing flaws and having a character overcome them or accept/deal with them through change that lets readers connect and identify with your character.

Transformation/Changes can be physical, behavioural, mental, or emotional. Some examples are:

Accomplishing an inner or outer goal

Conquering a negative flaw

Healing a psychological or emotional wound

Realizing that their (the character’s) actions have hurt others

Going from point A to point B and growing along the way

Learning a lesson that improves their life

Characters can also change for the worse, like gaining an ego after their journey.

Lack of Change ~ No Character Arc:

In a few cases, a character might not change, but that doesn’t necessarily make the story bad. Some characters, usually under the “Hero type” like James Bond, Mr. Bean, or Indiana Jones, don’t change because the reader already likes and looks up to them. Identifying with the character through change conflicts doesn’t appeal to the “Hero type” character that often, and readers like the character without needing change.

It’s also important to note that some characters can’t change because that is the point of the story. Often, antagonists/villains don’t change or learn anything and are defeated by the protagonist. In tragedies, the main character might not be able to change because it’s supposed to be a tragedy without a happy ending.

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What Makes a Captivating Character?

Characters are the core of any story. They drive the plot, not the other way around. So what makes a character interesting? W.R.I.T.I.N.G.

Writing ~ Writing your Character’s Story Relationships ~ Relationships Between your Characters Identifying ~ Identify your Character’s __ Types & backstory ~ Types of Characters and Backstories Intriguing & relating ~ Intrigue and Relate to your Reader Nothing comes easy ~ Conflict Makes your Character Giving ~ Give your Character __

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Writing: https://zigzagzipwriting.tumblr.com/post/183552368679/1-writing-your-characters-story

Relationships: https://zigzagzipwriting.tumblr.com/post/183552546814/relationship-between-your-characters

Identifying: https://zigzagzipwriting.tumblr.com/post/183553570559/wmacc-identify-your-characters

Types and Backstory: https://zigzagzipwriting.tumblr.com/post/183553756274/wmacc-types-of-characters-and-backstories

Intriguing & Relating: https://zigzagzipwriting.tumblr.com/post/183553142189/wmacc-intrigue-and-relate-to-your-reader

Nothing Comes Easy: https://zigzagzipwriting.tumblr.com/post/183553262574/wmacc-nothing-comes-easy-conflict-makes-your

Giving: https://zigzagzipwriting.tumblr.com/post/183553262574/wmacc-nothing-comes-easy-conflict-makes-your

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Welcome to Zig Zag Zip Writing!

Website: https://zigzagzipwriting.weebly.com/

What Makes a Captivating Character:  https://zigzagzipwriting.tumblr.com/post/183552314574/what-makes-a-captivating-character

Personal Writing: