Regardless of where you start when you decide to write a fiction book, it’s always helpful to have a handful of online resources in your tool bag to get your creativity in full gear. Listed below are five online resource tools that are sure to help anyone who wants to learn how to create story characters. Have fun!
Tool #1: Jump-Starting the Storytelling Process
https://www.storyjumper.com/main/starter
This site reveals the top seven steps you need to follow to get your story started so your characters can come to life.
Tool #2: Read a brief plot of a story in your favorite genre
This site is where I always head when I want to get inspired. On the main page, in the search bar, located the drop-down arrow, and then choose “Plots.” Next, to the left, type in a movie name, a character name, or a genre. For this example, I typed in Romance. This is what was displayed. You can use these quick plots to help you create your story characters. It works for me every time. Try it.
Most Popular Titles with Plot Matching “romance”
1-50 of 4,483 titles.
1. Pretty Little Liars (2010 TV Series)
Episode: Reality Bites Me (2010)Trying to ignore “A” backfired for the girls, and now they must pay the penalty. Whether it’s a family in crisis, parental praise for an undeserved honor looming over their heads or wearing totally unfashionable scrubs while working off a debt – the girls must deal with it all. And on top of that, “A’s” lipstick message is still haunting them. Meanwhile the girls must also deal with typical teenage drama – the boy kind – when a new boy arrives and pushes the status quo, a secret love is tested, a new romance blooms and an old romance is floating in the grey area.
2. Pretty Little Liars (2010 TV Series)
Episode: Monsters in the End (2011)Everyone has something to hide – whether it be a secret romance, who they really are and what their true intentions are. For Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer, keeping things hidden is second nature, but having to live with those secrets can become a big burden. How long can Aria be with someone when they can’t go out in public? Is it a true friendship when Spencer and Toby aren’t able to be seen together? How truthful can Emily be when she can’t be honest about whom she wants to be with? And how can Hanna move on when she secretly still wants to be with the one who broke her heart? With someone like “A” out there to watch their every move, four Liars may not have to worry about keeping things hidden for too much longer. Meanwhile, Rosewood police officer Garrett Reynolds is keeping his promise to keep a close eye on the girls – much closer than they realize.
3. Arrow (2012 TV Series)
Episode: Legacies (2012)Oliver’s next target is Scott Morgan, a power executive who jacks up prices for electricity when people most need it. John Diggle suggests they go after the gang of bank robbers that recently wounded a police officer during a daytime heist. Oliver is not so keen but John isn’t the kind of guy who gives up very easily. Oliver quickly identifies one of them as a high school acquaintance, Derek Reston – and learns that Reston may have turned to crime because of something Oliver’s father did. Tommy meanwhile isn’t having much luck with his hoped for romance with Laurel. He seeks Thea’s advice. Flashbacks show Oliver’s doubts about his survival on the island.
It’s Sterling City’s turn to be victim of several fast-following bank robberies by a well-prepared, masked gang of four, who now shoot an off-duty cop. Oliver reluctantly takes the case, suggested off his father’s wicked businessmen list by Diggle, as one wears his former high school’s ring and the others are his family. It turns out they went into crime after the father was fired needlessly by Oliver’s. Tommy meanwhile tries to romance Laurel by hosting a benefit gala for her legal charity, unaware that Thea is the one in infatuated with him. Moira worries where Walter went and fails to get her offspring to warmly welcome Carter Bowen, whom Oliver is sick of being told to resemble her.
4. Entourage (2004 TV Series)
Episode: Oh, Mandy (2005)Vince has the Aquaman lead; James Cameron is casting his opposite from five top-actresses. The group can stay in Jessica Alba’s luxurious Malibu residence. Johnny ‘Drama’ Chase has a shot at a Hallmark TV movie, but can he make it in time across LA through miles of traffic? He does, but gets worked up about another actor he had an incident with and works it out and the surfer molests his car and is arrested just after hearing he was chosen. Vince is to have diner with Aquagirl Mandy Moore, with who he once had a serious romance ending in a grave incident…
5. The Age of Adaline (2015)
After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost eight decades, Adaline Bowman has lived a solitary existence, never allowing herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret. But a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones reignites her passion for life and romance. When a weekend with his parents threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever.
After an accident in 1937 magically makes Adaline Bowman ageless, she never allows herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret. In the years to come, a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones reignites her passion for life and romance. When a weekend with his parents threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever.
Adaline Bowman, an individual as simple as any other, born at the turn of the 20th century, has lived a solitary existence, until 1933 when a horrible accident that occurred forced her to become ageless. In the years to come a charismatic philanthropist named Ellis Jones emerges, and restores her thirst for life and romance. A weekend with his parents make her realize that the flame that keeps her secret from being divulged is flickering. Adaline makes decisions that completely modify her life.
Tool #3: Don’t Reinvent the Wheel – Improvise on what’s already a success
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Roberts
Julia Roberts, Wikipedia image. A great story character.
Go to Wikipedia, select your language of choice, and then type in your favorite actor or actor’s name. Up will pop everything that’s known about that movie character. Just read through or print the findings, and then create your own character based on the attributes and background of the character you’ve chosen. In this example, I’ve chosen Julie Roberts. Look at all the details you can pick and choose from to create your own beautiful female lead character for your novel. Wow!
Tool #4: Create and refer to a list of online sites that address your writing interests
http://www.writing-world.com/links/writing.shtml
Although it might take you 15-20 minutes to browse and bookmark your favorite writing links, once you’ve done this, you’ll have a ready-made list to always rely on and use in the future.
Tool #5: Pinterest really is for authors
https://www.pinterest.com/search/?q=creating+story+characters&referrer=sitelinks_searchbox
Yes, I know. Maybe you thought Pinterest was only for recipes, hobbies, and decorating your home. But when you follow the link I just showed you above, you will quickly see that you have hundreds if not thousands of instantly ready resources to get you started, get you out of a rut, and moving forward with your writing.
After you have tried each of these tools, maybe you’ll come up with a list of your own that you can share with our readers. Let me know what you discovered. Until next time, remember…when your story is written, you’ll need an editor. Please think of WordsRU. We’re here for your success.
Questions or suggestions? Leave a comment below. Thanks!
