Edit like an Editor: A Wattpad Featured Guide ✔

PRACTICE: Characterization

This practice part is going to have a lot of in-depth questions you may apply to your work.

Don't feel pressured to answer every single one, but try to challenge yourself! There's no judging here. This is a safe space. Some questions might not actually even apply to your work, and that's totally okay.

Remember, the point of this guidebook is for you to improve and not feel the need to seek out an editor (at least not until you are one stage away from finally publishing your work!).

Please don't ruin it for yourself and look at the answers others have posted. How will you learn if you do so?

You don't have to post your answers to avoid spoiling and plagiarism, but write down the answers for yourself.

Good luck and have fun!

Exercise

1. What character archetype does this example represent?

Someone who guides (or sometimes just attempts to guide) the Protagonist down the right path.

2. What character archetype does this example represent?

Someone whose logic influences the Protagonist's choices, for better or worse.

3. What character archetype does this example represent?

The person whose inner journey, as influenced by the outer conflict, will be the most obvious manifestation of your story's theme.

4. What character archetype does this example represent?

Loyal to and supportive of the Protagonist, yet differs from the Protagonist in important ways, whether good or bad, in order to highlight areas of Protagonist growth.

5. What character archetype does this example represent?

Someone who may be on the Protagonist's side in the overall conflict, but who gets in the Protagonist's way and causes him to consider backing out of the battle against the Antagonist or taking the wrong path to reach his/her end goal.

6. What character archetype does this example represent?

Someone who alternately supports the Protagonist and resists him/her, depending on which action is necessary to push the Protagonist forward in his/her personal growth.

7. What character archetype does this example represent?

The main obstacle to your character's achievement of his/her main plot goal.

8. What character archetype does this example represent?

Someone who is mostly on the Protagonist's "side," but who is pessimistic about the Protagonist's choices, rather than optimistic.

9. What character archetype does this example represent?

Someone whose emotion influences the Protagonist's choices, for better or worse.

Apply to your work

1. Who is the protagonist archetype in your work?

2. Who is the antagonist archetype in your work?

3. Who is the sidekick archetype in your work?

4. Who is the skeptic archetype in your work?

5. Who is the guardian archetype in your work?

6. Who is the contagonist archetype in your work?

7. Who is the reason archetype in your work?

8. Who is the emotion archetype in your work?

9. Who is the love interest archetype in your work?

The Protagonist

1. What does the protagonist desire? What is his/her worthy goal?

2. Is his/her motivation realistic and believable?

3. What obstacles are in your protagonist's way from reaching his/her desire and goal?

4. What are your protagonist's strengths?

5. What are your protagonist's weaknesses? His/her flaws?

6. What does your protagonist look like?

7. Does your protagonist's appearance hint to his/her personality? If yes, how?

8. What are your protagonist's likes and dislikes?

9. What is your protagonist's backstory?

10. Why does he/she react a certain way to situations/conflicts?

The Antagonist

1. What is your antagonist's backstory?

2. What is his/her greatest desire? His/her goals?

3. What fuels his/her actions?

4. What rationalizes his/her actions in his/her mind?

5. Is his/her motivation realistic and believable?

6. How does the antagonist see the protagonist obstructing him/her in reaching his/her goal?