I just checked out the Silver Scrolls website you mentioned. Unfortunately, I can give excellent empathy for how busy you must be.

You said that you would eventually cover magic systems. I have a new pet project titled "A Beginner's Guide to Magic" that will, I hope, give good advice on this topic. Can you take a look and tell me what you think? I really do need someone's feedback.

I think I agree with most of your comments about the mentor. He really is a stock character, although Brom was reasonably fleshed out and Obi-Wan was eventually fleshed out.

About that female mentor...
Anyone interested, check periodically. I am working on a set of stories titled the Flamewind Legends that do (will) feature such a character. Arrival date uncertain.

I like this piece, especially the part on sidekicks.

However, I have seen some characters be made reasonably believable and fleshed out but also state, specifically and blatantly, that they know themselves to be minor influences on the plot and very aware that the designated protagonist is far more important in the grand scheme of things. Comments on this?

On a different note, great humor! Especially the part about the bored noblewoman who steals jewelry just for the thrill and then sneaks back in to bed with her secret still safe even from her husband.

Excellent work!
Definately something that I needed to read, so thanks!11

hey please update soon thiss is quite alot of help now i know how to create my characters can u go on 2 the minors now please

Hi! I'm wondering if you could tell me if Beth is a Mary Sue or a real character. I'm actually kinda new in the writing business (the stuff I wrote at 5-10? Essays).

You have no idea how much I wanna shake your hand for posting this fic.

Genius. You just gave me the most brilliant idea for my protagonist. THANK YOU!

First off: thank you for posting this. I can think of a whole horde of people who would definitely benefit from reading it.

@Protagonist: The imperfections don't need to be outweighed by the good; they often are, because authors in general tend to be too enamored with their little darlings to give them any serious flaws (which is not to say that I'm wholly innocent of this), but I for one think it would be interesting to see someone whose 'bad' characteristics outweighed the 'good' ones.

The part about not participating in evil deeds also irked me somewhat -- there are amazing protagonists out there who have, say, orchestrated a slaughter (although they are, admittedly, few and far between and usually did it with the best of intentions); generally what makes the reader sympathize with them is that they feel guilt for their actions and attempt to make it better if at all possible. The thing to do here is to NOT have the other characters forgive the protagonist immediately -- or ever, even -- no matter how much you, the author, wants them to.

@Antagonist: The antagonist doesn't have to necessarily be entirely despised, by the protagonist or the reader (again, uncommon but not wholly unheard of). They also do not need to be one person, one group, or even anything human/humanoid.

Again, thank you. xD It made me laugh and it's something handy to have on hand, especially for younger/amateur writers.

I like how every chapter is opened by the definition of the particular topic that will be covered. Its a strong opening line because it establishes a clear focus in a reasonably concise way that most would find easy to understand.

I agree on the point that the relationship of the characters should progress from interest/attraction to love, although I highly doubt that the whole "love at first sight" scenario could be compelling to read. However, I'll make the effort to try to read 'Tales of the Otori' by Lian Hearn reasonably soon. After all, the general rule "don't knock it until you try it" probably applies here.

I also liked the example of the hero and the beggar. Mostly because it showed good foundations, without which a story would crumble.

Wonderful.
Short, and to the point.

In the chapter, I think you mean to post a link...but of course, links don't work on fictionpress do they?
Can I just amen you on the tragic past...god, I love backstory as much as the next person, but at this point having a character come fourth chess tournament when they were fourteen is more interesting than reading about how her parents were brutally murdered...and for god's sake I hate it when writers use domestic abuse as little more than plot device...yawn...I don't know why you felt the need to tell us a basic run down of descriptions, it's common sense seeing as most other people have seen human beings before, and I'd discoruage away from such bland character descriptions...I hate when an author posts character stats before the story as even started...let us figuire it out as we read!

This made me laugh like heck...

Especially this part: "Or maybe he’s a young farmer with a destiny delivered to him by a wise wizard in the form of a half forgotten prophecy. He too is handsome, young, skilled with all weapons, despite having no training and being raised on a farm, and will defeat dragons and whole armies without breaking a sweat before fulfilling the prophecy. He is named Gary-Stu."

Sad thing is, after I read this, I thought "Hmm... This sounds a little bit like Christopher Paolini's Eragon.." Aw. Hahaha... and I actually don't mind those books. But after reading your 'guide', I'm thinking twice about it... :P

I really am loving this ...what to call it? It's not quite a story...perhaps... 'fantasy-writing manual?' It's so hard-if not impossible- to be a truly 'original' writer because we're always influenced by the things around us- personal life, and especially others' writings/movies/cliches. Even after writing for a while, it's hard to escape those overused and boring writing techniques that you've brought up in this manual.

So, whenever I go to write or outline or plan, I'm going to keep this thing in mind. You're really touching all the bases, and shedding new light onto things I've heard before.

Thank you for taking the time to create and maintain this manual- it's beneficial to anyone, no matter at what level of writing they're at.

~Cheers to you!~

Interesting... though sidekicks never occured to me... shall pay more attention~

Very interesting, and right on the money.

I might add something about making the characters' skills, wardrobe, etc., reflect their personality and occupation. Some people tend to dress their character in a certain way because it looks cool, not because it's practical.

One example would be a fellow with hair, worn loose, that goes all the way to his ankles when he's supposed to be a fighter... And he NEVER trips on it? It never gets stuck in anything? lol.

Overall, I find it a useful guide to charaxcter development. Good job.

Girlbrainiac