#150. How Rowling Created A Cast of Compelling Characters (An Interview With Savannah Gilbo & Abigail K. Perry)

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Jul 16, 2024

Savannah Gilbo and Abigail K. Perry discuss J.K. Rowling's character development in Harry Potter. They delve into character dynamics, narrative impact, and the role of mentorship. The discussion highlights creating a diverse cast to enrich storytelling and the influence of character backstories on decision-making.

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ADVICE

Purposeful Character Selection

Consider the purpose of having a large or small cast of characters.
Focus on characters essential to the plot and let others fade into the background.

INSIGHT

Character Roles and Growth

Characters, like in real life, can serve different purposes for the protagonist's growth.
Some characters enhance the protagonist, while others highlight traits they should avoid.

INSIGHT

Layered Antagonism

Antagonism has layers, not just a single villain.
Even companions can act as antagonists, creating conflict and challenges for the protagonist.

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Ever wonder how Rowling created such a wonderful cast of quirky and relatable characters in the Harry Potter series?

If so, tune into this episode to hear Abigail K. Perry, Tim Grahl, and me talk about the characters in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

You’ll hear us talk about things like:

[02:32] How to think about the number of characters you include in your story (and what we can learn from the characters Rowling highlighted in book one)
[09:17] How to write a dynamic cast of characters that can help your protagonist grow and change (and, in Harry’s case, aid or harm his ability to survive)
[09:49] Why Rowling layered the forces of antagonism Harry faces in this first book (and why this was necessary based on his age and skill level)
[17:07] How point of view choice affects our interpretation of the events in the story—and influences whether we classify certain characters as “good” or “evil”
[20:26] And so much more…

If you like this episode, you’ll LOVE my book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: A Story Grid Masterwork Analysis Guide. Click here to pre-order a copy and get access to a collection of bonuses in addition to a copy of the book.

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🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

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