The+Characters



When you plan a story, begin with a character or characters, a plot (something for the character or characters to do), and a place and time for the action of the story to happen. You may be surprised how many ideas you have for characters, plot, and setting once you start thinking about them. These things may be based on your own real-life experiences, or they may come completely out of your imagination. Think about some of your favorite stories. How would you describe the characters? Where do the stories take place? What is the story about? **The Main Character** Begin with a main character. To do this, think of some of the interesting people you have known. You may decide to write about a character that is based on a person you know, or you may want to give an animal or thing the characteristics of a person. Do you have a favorite uncle who does really funny things? Do you know a kid who is really smart but maybe a little clumsy, too? Do you have a pet that seems to think he is human? Once you start thinking about all the people you know and what makes them special and different from each other, you will begin to get a lot of great ideas for characters.