Rick Riordan's Writing Tips
Rick Riordan:
Character development is paramount for me. I firmly believe that plot and character development must occur simultaneously. Plot cannot be left to chance. Neither can characters be automatons who carry out actions envisioned in the author's master plan. Below are some things I try to keep in mind when developing my characters:
A character should be primarily defined by the choices he makes, and the actions he takes.
How does he respond to violence?
How does he respond to love?
Secondly, a character must be vividly but deftly describe through his speech, and through the initial view you give the reader.
Never stop to explain who a character is when we can watch him in action and decide for ourselves.
Describe characters as Dickens did – with a single deft stroke.
A laundry list of physical traits is realistic, but it is neither memorable nor compelling.
A jarring metaphor for the character, or a focus on one mannerism or physical trait, can be very compelling.
Example: She was a human tornado.
It is very natural to use parts of ourselves or the people we know when creating characters.
Do not be afraid to do this because someone might get mad at you.
At the same time, let your character develop.
Do not force them to do what the real-life model would do.
Characters seldom end up exactly like the real people they are based on.
It may be critically important to you that your character has blue eyes, or went to Texas A&M.
But if these details have no part in the story, the reader will not care.
Leave them in your subconscious.
If you are having trouble figuring out a character, fill out a character profile, or do some journaling in that character's voice.
We care about characters because we are interested in the choices they make.
We want to boo the villain, cheer the hero, and cry with frustration when the tragic figure makes the wrong move.
A character who does not act, but simply receives information and is acted upon by outside forces, is not a character who will compel the reader.
Remember, plot is what the characters do next.
If the characters do not create the plot, the plot is hollow.
Here's a character profile worksheet I sometimes fill out if I'm having trouble understanding a particular character I've created:
Name:
Height:
Age in story:
Birthplace:
Hair color, length, style:
Race/nationality:
Regional influences:
Accent: (include voice, style of speech, slang, signature phrases or words)
Religion:
Marital status:
Scars or other notable physical attributes:
Handicaps: (emotional, physical, mental)
Athletic? Inactive? Overall health?
Style of dress:
Favorite colors:
How does the character feel about his/her appearance?
Brothers/sisters:
Relationship with parents:
Memories about childhood:
Educational background: (street smart? Formal? Does he/she read?)
Work experience:
Occupation:
Where does the character live now? Describe home (emotional atmosphere as well as physical)
Neat or messy?
Sexual preferences/morals/activities:
Women friends/men friends:
Pets?
Enemies? Why?
Basic nature:
Personality traits (shy, outgoing, domineering, doormat, honest, kind, sense of humor):
Strongest trait:
Weakest trait:
What does the character fear?
What is the character proud of?
What is the character ashamed of?
Outlook on life (optimistic, pessimistic, cynic, idealist)
Ambitions:
Politics:
How does the character see himself/herself?
How is the character seen by others?
Do you like this person? Why or why not?
Will readers like or dislike?
Most important thing to know about this character:
Present problem:
How it will get worse:
What is the character's goal in the story?
What traits will help/hurt the character in achieving this goal?
What makes the character different from similar characters?
Why will readers remember this character vividly?
Source
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Tags to block if necessary: - “jjk manga spoilers” for manga spoilers - “le-ask” for ask posts - “anw working is shit” for my rambling
Jujusanpo audiodrama
Let’s settle this! Limitless cursed technique! (extra comic from vol. 15)
Abyss of Math Course: part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4
Cursed Object Picture Book Deluxe (Extra materials about cursed object from Jump Giga Autumn 2021 bonus)
Jump Giga Autumn 2022 extra material: Unraveling the Gosanke Akutami-sensei’s Q&As
Jump Giga Early Spring 2023 Extra: Akutami Gege-sensei talking about Prison Realm Boundary
Character short profiles in the 3rd Popularity Poll
Official Jujutsu Kaisen Fanbook (on-going)
List of pages currently translated:
Itadori Yuuji
Fushiguro Megumi
Nanami Kento
Ryomen Sukuna
Uraume
Kenjaku
Fushiguro Touji (and Kon shiu)
Hakari
Zenin Naobito
Tsukumo Yuki
Ieiri Shouko
Iori Utahime
Haibara Yu
Yaga Masamichi
Getou Suguru
Kusouzu (death painting) brothers (Choso, Eso, Kechizu)
Cursed technique: Limitless
Chart of all technique terms
Cursed tools
Akutami Gege’s Bible : Movie, Manga
Akutami Gege’s Q&As
Excerpts of JJK 0 light novel: Nanami’s black flash scene The Kyoto students battle
General Meta tag
Character analysis: Itadori Yuuji • Nanami Kento • Fushiguro Megumi • Fushiguro Touji • Kugisaki Nobara • Zenin Maki • Yu-un
Nanami and Itadori
Fushiguro and Itadori: not your usual rivals • the cogs in the machine
Tsukumo Yuki and Kenjaku
What’s going on in the second opening?
Tragedy of Haibara Yu
The goose who holds a reed between its mouth
Stronger through death
“Above heaven under heaven, I am alone the honored one”
Enlightenment
About the soul : soul, body, and Heavenly Restriction • soul in the brain
Jujutsu world : how to be a strong jujutsushi • rebirth • moving forward
Mythology in Jujutsu Kaisen
Compilation of Audiodrama links
The first year trio go to Yokohama to watch a movie, jjk phantom parade stream
Enoki Junya (Itadori’s seiyuu) narrating Itadori’s thought when he fights Mahito in Shibuya, Jump Festa 2022
Night Gourmet, Nanami-only audiodrama bonus DVD 4
After the Walkway excerpt, plant Trio, bonus DVD 8
About me
My favorite jjk characters
Interview of Akutami Gege in Mando Kobayashi
Why do you call the first years “plant trio”?
Fushiguro/Itadori ship manifesto
The infamous Itadori pregnancy theory
Official media tag
Where to read jjk in japanese?
“That’s my cat,” the hero said.
“No. It’s mine,” the villain retorted, eyes narrowed.
“…It’s a stray.”
“I feed it!”
“I feed it too! Oh, what now?” the villain waved their weapon around in frustration, “Are you gonna tell me that you have a name for it?”
“…Yes.”
“Well, screw you, I have a name for it too.”
Book I - In the Black
“What is to you ‘taking advantage'—is to me, merely—” Orion searched around for the correct phrase. “—Adapting to these new circumstances I find myself in, and acting as I see fit when opportunities arise that are to my…benefit.”
“That is the most fucking Slytherin justification I’ve ever heard,” Sirius growled, angrily.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Book 2 - Black Mask
“Then why did he leave his family—truly?”
“Nothing all that exciting, I’m afraid,” he said, staring across the room, his smile grim. “Just a run-of-the-mill blood-traitor who was fed up. A political idealist. Took a different view of things than his family—the Black sheep of the Blacks.” She furrowed her brow. “You look disappointed.”
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
“Do it scared” but please realize that, if you Do It Scared too much and don’t let yourself rest + relax + have fun in between, you will fuck yourself up. If you “do it scared” all day every day, you will burn out badly and quickly. Sometimes this is temporarily necessary but please keep this in mind.
Adventurous - Enjoys trying new experiences and exploring the unknown.
Ambitious - Driven to succeed and achieve their goals.
Analytical - Tends to think critically and examine things in-depth.
Artistic - Highly creative and expresses themselves through artistic mediums.
Assertive - Confident in expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Caring - Shows compassion and concern for the well-being of others.
Charismatic - Has a natural charm and appeal that draws people in.
Clever - Able to come up with creative solutions and make astute observations.
Compassionate - Displays empathy and a desire to help those in need.
Confident - Believes in their own abilities and is self-assured.
Conscientious - Reliable, responsible, and attentive to detail.
Curious - Eager to learn new things and explore the world around them.
Cynical - Tends to be skeptical and distrustful of others' motives.
Dependable - Can be counted on to follow through on their commitments.
Determined - Persistent in pursuing their goals and overcoming challenges.
Diplomatic - Skilled at navigating social situations and resolving conflicts.
Eccentric - Displays unconventional or unusual behaviors and interests.
Empathetic - Able to understand and share the feelings of others.
Ethical - Guided by a strong moral compass and a sense of right and wrong.
Extraverted - Enjoys being around people and draws energy from social interactions.
Flexible - Adaptable to changes and open to trying new approaches.
Forgiving - Willing to let go of past hurts and give people second chances.
Friendly - Approachable and enjoys building positive relationships with others.
Grounded - Practical, down-to-earth, and focused on the present.
Hardworking - Diligent and dedicated in their efforts to achieve their goals.
Honest - Values truthfulness and integrity in their words and actions.
Idealistic - Driven by a vision of how the world should be and a desire to make a difference.
Imaginative - Possesses a rich inner world and creative problem-solving abilities.
Independent - Prefers to think and act for themselves without relying on others.
Indecisive - Struggles with making decisions and often second-guesses themselves.
Introverted - Finds energy and fulfillment in solitary activities and introspection.
Jealous - Experiences feelings of resentment or insecurity towards others.
Kind - Gentle, considerate, and thoughtful in their treatment of others.
Leaders - Able to inspire and guide others towards a common goal.
Logical - Approaches problems and decisions through a rational, analytical lens.
Materialistic - Highly values the acquisition of possessions and wealth.
Organized - Maintains order and efficiency in their personal and professional life.
Perfectionistic - Strives for flawlessness and can be overly critical of themselves and others.
Pessimistic - Tends to focus on the negative aspects of situations and expect the worst.
Resilient - Able to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to changes.
Risk-taker - Willing to take chances and step outside of their comfort zone.
Sarcastic - Uses irony and witty remarks to convey their thoughts and feelings.
Sensitive - Deeply affected by the emotions and experiences of themselves and others.
Stubborn - Unwilling to change their mind or compromise on their beliefs and opinions.
Suspicious - Inclined to doubt the motives and intentions of others.
Thoughtful - Considerate of the impact their words and actions have on others.
Timid - Shy, reserved, and hesitant to take risks or assert themselves.
Trustworthy - Reliable, honest, and worthy of confidence.
Unpredictable - Displays an element of surprise and spontaneity in their behavior.
Witty - Possesses a quick, clever, and humorous way of expressing themselves.
Hey fellow writers! I'm super excited to share that I've just launched a Tumblr community. I'm inviting all of you to join my community. All you have to do is fill out this Google form, and I'll personally send you an invitation to join the Write Right Society on Tumblr! Can't wait to see your posts!
but I knew how to dress it up
I made these as a way to compile all the geographical vocabulary that I thought was useful and interesting for writers. Some descriptors share categories, and some are simplified, but for the most part everything is in its proper place. Not all the words are as useable as others, and some might take tricky wording to pull off, but I hope these prove useful to all you writers out there!
(save the images to zoom in on the pics)
they color match their outfits with each other's eyes
some people think writers are so eloquent and good with words, but the reality is that we can sit there with our fingers on the keyboard going, “what’s the word for non-sunlight lighting? Like, fake lighting?” and for ten minutes, all our brain will supply is “unofficial”, and we know that’s not the right word, but it’s the only word we can come up with…until finally it’s like our face got smashed into a brick wall and we remember the word we want is “artificial”.