Writing Exercises

Unforgettable Character

October 8, 2025

Select Exercise 1 (Less Challenging) or Exercise 2 (More Challenging) 

Exercise 1: The Role vs. The Soul

Level: Moderate

1.    Objective: Participants will develop a character by moving beyond their role in the story and exploring their deeper identity, quirks, flaws, and desires.

2.  Instructions:

o Choose a role for a character (e.g., "villain," "mentor," "best friend"). Write a brief description of their role in the story in 2-3 sentences.

o Now, transform this role into a full character. Answer the following questions:

1.    What motivates them beyond their role?

2.  What is one hidden fear or insecurity they carry?

3.  What is a contradiction or flaw in their personality?

4.  How do they interact with other characters (e.g., love, resentment, rivalry)?

o Write a 300-word scene where the character's internal identity conflicts with their external role. For example, a "villain" might hesitate before committing an evil act due to lingering guilt or love.

3.  Purpose: This exercise helps participants distinguish between a character’s outward function in the story and their internal depth, as discussed in Roles vs. Characters: The Skeleton and the Soul.

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Exercise 2: The Flaws That Drive the Plot

Level: Challenging

1.    Objective: Participants will craft a complex, flawed character whose imperfections create tension and drive the story forward.

2.  Instructions:

o Imagine a character who is deeply flawed but still engaging and memorable. Begin by answering the following questions:

1.    What does this character want most in the world?

2.  What fear or insecurity prevents them from achieving it?

3.  What is their moral dilemma, contradiction, or greatest flaw?

4.  What redeeming qualities make the character relatable or sympathetic?

o Next, write a 500-word scene where the character’s flaw directly causes conflict, either with another character or within themselves. Focus on how their imperfection complicates the story while revealing their humanity.

o Include at least one moment of dialogue and one action under pressure to showcase their personality and decisions.

3.  Purpose: This exercise challenges participants to embrace the complexity of flawed characters, as discussed in Flawed Characters Are Memorable Characters and The Power of Contradiction. It also emphasizes how flaws serve as engines for storytelling.

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