On Writing With Brandon Sanderson | Full Writing Lectures (2025) Customizing your Character: Brandon Sanderson's Writing Lecture #6 (2025)
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Mar 5, 2025 Dive into character development with a unique slider methodology! Explore the balance between personality and narrative arcs through iconic characters. Discover how motivation and backstory shape complex characters, including relatable villains. Learn the significance of character arcs—promise, progress, and payoff—and how they drive transformation. Plus, get tips on customizing characters in romance novels and the importance of humor and drama in character interactions. Perfect for aspiring writers wanting to breathe life into their characters!
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Character Focus
- Focus on character motivation and dynamism behind the scenes.
- Consider how these elements contribute to reader engagement and story progression.
Iconic Characters
- Iconic characters, like James Bond, don't have major personality arcs.
- Their stories focus on external conflicts, maintaining consistent personality.
Character Development Process
- Brandon Sanderson rewrote Vin and Kaladin multiple times before they worked.
- Dalinar's character, however, remained consistent from the start.