This document discusses the importance of developing realistic characters with weaknesses in creative writing. It explains that memorable characters from popular stories face human struggles resulting from their weaknesses. These weaknesses shape how the characters react to problems and guide the development of the story's plot. The document encourages identifying at least one weakness for characters and using "what if" scenarios to explore how weaknesses would influence a character's response and propel the narrative forward.

1. Writing 101
Characterisation

2. Learning Objectives

To understand the importance of developing
realistic and life-like characters.

To learn the writing technique of
characterisation.

3. Memorable Characters
• Some of the most memorable cast in recent
memory include:
Darth Vader Harry Porter Mr Scrooge
Forrest Gump Buzz Lightyear Alice
Robin Hood Mr Incredible Huckleberry
Gollum Hiccup Oliver Twist
Indiana Jones Sid David
Copperfield
What makes them memorable?

4. What makes them special?
• These memorable characters have a common
problem:
Human Struggle
• All these characters face challenges in life.
With their character weaknesses, the problems
became more difficult to overcome.
• With much effort and determination, these
characters finally did and the story was
successfully resolved with a happy ending.

5. Does your characters have it?

Weaknesses are common to all of us.

You need to think of at least one weakness for
your character/s.

This weakness caused him/her to react to the
problem in a certain way.

Your character's reactions as the result of a
weakness, will guide you in developing your
story (problem, escalation and climax)
Let's use David again as our example.

6. Reactions to What if?

What if David. . .
went to the supermarket and on one of the shelves
he found a cockroach, nestled between two
soda cans, looking quite still except for its
antennas. Like two light sabers in a cross fight,
they were purposefully cutting the air.

What would the reactions of David be if his
weaknesses were...
1) Timid or
2) Nonchalant (doesn’t care)

7. Reactions to What if?

Let's take both as David's weaknesses.
The story will probably develop this way:
David’s first response was to jerk his hand away.
It is such a horrible sight to see a cockroach
here at the food shelves! He wanted to walk
away as if nothing had happend but something
stopped him. What would happen if others who
did not see the insect purchase the canned
food? Mustering all his courage, he went to
look for a service staff before he changed his
mind.

8. Putting it all together
• Your characters’ weakness and how it is
overcome guide you in developing the story.
To sum it up:

9. In summary

To make a story believable, characters need to
have weaknesses just like people in real life.

Characterisation requires us to think about our
main characters’ weaknesses to make them
realistic and hence, more interesting.

Our main characters’ weaknesses will guide us
in developing the story’s problem, escalation
and climax stage.

Together with What If? creative writing, our
stories will be much more interesting.

10. In summary

To make a story believable, characters need to
have weaknesses just like people in real life.

Characterisation requires us to think about our
main characters’ weaknesses to make them
realistic and hence, more interesting.

Our main characters’ weaknesses will guide us
in developing the story’s problem, escalation
and climax stage.

Together with What If? creative writing, our
stories will be much more interesting.