This was very helpful. Thanks. Basic elements of story writing written in a fresh, humorous manner. I have only one critique. Please do a little less bolding. It got really distracting after a while. Other than that, I applaude you.

I completely agree. This will help so much. fave.

This was very... educational. o_o And amusing. :D

This was ok, except for that other long-ass argument I sent you through a review.

BFQ

So far, I was liking it, but now that I see your speech on characters, I'm very disappointed. I'll tell you why:

DO create someone who is not beautiful, smart, athletic, amazing, god-like-and make them your hero/heroine. : Ok, first of all, your main hero and heroine CAN be beautiful. There is nothing wrong with beauty, brains, being able to play sports and being talented. What I suggest you say is that you CAN make your characters beautiful and all of the above, but just add some little details to make them more human, you know, like glasses, a love for the color pink, obssession with men- you know, things to make said hero/heroine more human.

DON'T project yourself onto your characters. : This can happen whether people realize it or not. Almost all of my characters have at least ONE trait or characteristic of mine, but that's just my way and that might be others' ways too. I know I will ignore that piece of advice.

DO create a character that you hate. And make that character your main playah. The experience will probably be one of the more interesting in your life. : I would suggest putting this character as your antagonist. Either that or this main character that's such an ass better change as the story progess. Otherwise forget it.

DON'T project what you wish you were onto your characters. : Once again, this happens. I'm sure there are many authors out there who made characters what they wish they would look like in this life.

DO create someone who is not handsome. : To an extent, I agree. I know in a romance the hero needs to be attractive to the heroine and vise versa, but I'm not so sure about other genres. I'll let this go.

DO create a character that has a lot of baggage. Something that makes them literally an "untouchable"-even in your eyes. : I actually agree with you, believe it or not. Baggage in a character is usually the best way to morph who they are and why the act the way they do. I'm ok with this.

Ok, the rest is fine. If you must debate with me on this, you may PM me.

BFQ

Thanks so much for writing this! I have been looking for a good "writing reference" essay, and this was practically perfect.

I'm sorry I don't have any constructive criticism for you! Hahah..

This is definitely going in my favorites, though.

DeepSixing

I must disagree with some of your points on number 1.

I believe we all project ourselves into characters, and that is what makes a story unique, because everyone of us is unique.

Secondly, I believe there are characters who ARE meant to be "perfect", and others who ARE meant to get all the worst features. That is what propels a story. yes, small, mediocre problems can be enough to maintain a story for 100 pages. But writing is a release, whether it is for enterprising or self fulfillment. Sometimes writing the perfect character is what a story needs.

Just some things to reconsider.

-jenforvel

P.s.- Do not take my opinions wrong, I think this essay you've put together shows a lot of potential. And, somehow, you seemed to make me Becky-Sue (I'm a redhead, short, and as graceful as a platypus! lol)

I agree with four, and hope that all writers do what I have always done- always be a sponge.

I also agree with six. I forget sometimes how much of an influence others are. But it would surprise you- sometimes when I get writers block, I ask some one to read my work. They give me some ideas- which I trash without a second thought, but sometimes it's just enough to get my brain thinking again and I can continue. I guess it all depends. It takes a long time to build walls around you so you wont try to please all that read your work.

-Jenforvel

Writers block is an awful, horrible, awful, gross, awful, tragic disease.

Any ideas are worth while!

-Jenforvel

wow, this was incredible. I have read one other "writer's help" books (one that I bought from Barnes and Noble) and this comes close to its excellence of writing. However, I actually enjoyed this better because it was more compacted-while still extraordinarily easy to read.

The only thing I would contest would be your idea of character development. I like all your ideas, and you fervor to get writers to include flawed characters-but I would have to contest the idea that we should not include a character which is like ourselves. We know ourselves better than we know anybody else; thus it is easy to create a very detailed character based off ourself.

Very well done; I am definitely adding this to my favorites.