Fiction Writing Made Easy

#10: How to Create Memorable Characters Using Hooks

May 12, 2020

Learn how to create unique and memorable characters using 'hooks'. Topics include using accents, physical features, body language, strengths and weaknesses, roles, connections, emotional states, and concealing clues.

17:11

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Quick takeaways

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Deep dives

Crafting Memorable Characters

Character hooks are essential for making characters stand out. Hooks can be accent, identifiable physical feature, body language, human or animal counterpart, unique personality, balance of strengths and weaknesses, specific role in the story, connection to a group or family, dominant emotional state, or a role in concealing a mystery. These hooks help differentiate characters and provide insight into their personalities, relationships, and contributions to the overall story.

Introduction

2min

Crafting Memorable Characters Using Hooks

2min

Hooks for Memorable Characters in Fiction Writing

5min

Creating Memorable Characters through Strengths, Weaknesses, Roles, and Connections

3min

Creating Memorable Characters with Hooks

6min

In today's episode, I'm going to show you how to create unique and memorable characters using "hooks." Here's a preview of what's included:

[01:15] What are character hooks? How do they help readers?
[02:25] Hook #1: Give your character a unique accent or way of speaking.
[03:20] Hook #2: Give your character an identifiable physical feature.
[04:25] Hook #3: Give your character their own body language.
[05:25] Hook #4: Give your character a human or an animal counterpart.
[06:20] Hook #5: Give your character a unique personality.
[07:35] Hook #6: Give your character both strengths and weaknesses.
[08:40] Hook #7: Give your character a specific role in the story.
[09:45] Hook #8: Give your character a connection to some group or family.
[10:55] Hook #9: Give your character a default emotional state.
[12:00] Hook #10: Give your character a part to play in concealing clues.
[13:00] How do you incorporate these types of character hooks into your own story?
[14:50] Key points and a quick recap of the episode.

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