SWRT 283 | Characterization

October 26, 2023

person typing on MacBook Pro on brown wooden table during daytime photo

This week at the Story Works Round Table, Alida and Kathryn discuss characterization, with examples from a short story by Junot Díaz. We analyze how to introduce characters through the narrator’s perspective, using just a few sharp details to create vivid impressions of complex people. We are also inspired to re-examine our own character descriptions.

After the discussion on characterization, listen to the latest from A Room Full of Books & Pencils, “Does Reading Make Us Better People?”

Get Alida’s musings on life, writing, and the writing life in A Room Full of Books & Pencils.

VIDEO

AUDIO

SHOW NOTES

What we talked about:

What is characterization? (With examples!) (1:00)

Characterization and relatability. (3:30)

How can you work on characterization in your own writing? (4:50)

Characterization in relationship with the point of view character. (7:35)

How to introduce your character. (9:00)

A reading of the latest post in A Room of Books and Pencils. (13:09)

For Next Time:

Naming My Father by Ren Cedar Fuller

LINKS

Get Alida’s Writing Tips here.

Have thoughts, questions, other examples? Join the conversation at the Story Works Writers Facebook group.

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About Your Hosts

Alida Winternheimer is an award-winning author with an MFA in writing from Hamline University. She pursues her fervor for all things story as a writing coach, developmental editor, and teacher. Three times nominated for the Pushcart Prize, she is also a notable in Best American Essays and winner of the Page Turner Award. Author of The Story Works Guide to Writing Fiction Series, Alida lives and writes in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She camps, bikes, and kayaks in her free time. Unless it’s winter, in which case she drinks chai by the fire. You can find more at www.alidawinternheimer.com.

Kathryn Arnold writes fantasy and anything else that sparks her creativity from her home in Kingston, Washington. She currently earns her living as an insurance underwriting assistant, where she also creates marketing and web copy. When not writing, she plays (and teaches) piano and keyboard in a band (or two), and is working on starting a ministry team with her husband. You can find Kathryn at www.skyfirewords.com.

Robert Scanlon was born in Australia, but whisked off to England when only a baby. After many years complaining about the weather, he did the sensible thing and moved back to Australia. Despite a career in the music industry, followed by decades teaching public speaking, Robert is an introvert who adores reading. Robert grew up on a diet of sci-fi masters, eventually discovering he had read the library’s entire science fiction section. Now he has to write his own. Robert is the author of Constellation, book one of the Blood Empire space opera series. Find out more at www.RobertScanlon.com