It won a Hugo Award in 1968. The teacher, Mrs. Kramer stood at the front of the class, getting ready to call attendance. This is typically the first problem I gave and the one that causes me to give up eventually. Two scenes, maybe three, and then the story’s over. Nine is possibly too many characters period, depending on the length of the story. Most writers have an inherent understanding of how to categorize their characters based on classic, “comic book-style” labels: heroes, villains, sidekicks, etc. Instead, you should be focusing on a very small number (maybe 3, maybe 2, maybe 8 for your epic Game of Thrones fan fiction), and figuring out how those characters are RELATED. Don't want to come up with a bunch of new characters for the next book in the series. Is this character interesting? We can achieve this by working on focus levels. Create a rich setting and backstory. You've heard the expression "Kill your darlings," right? How long is a piece of string? If you take action (i.e. At the primary level, there’s one main character who gets most of the focus. It is a refreshing activity. I will definitely keep your suggestions in mind from next time! I end up creating too many characters and interlinked backgrounds that I lose touch with the big picture. But you still need a general picture of your characters. 140 character stories. Author Mindset. In some cases the role of "active character" may get passed around, but just like in real life, there isn't room for everyone to talk, or act. In general, characters are found in three forms: individual, developing and static. No spam, no unwanted emails. When this happens, I try to think of creative ways to split people up." To create that little equation most stories are going to require three different types of character. How is the setting created? If you've ever read the Hobbit, Tolkien actually does a really good job of this, even when he has fourteen characters to handle all at the same time. You gotta blend those less-than-useful characters together to keep your short story/novel/'Dramione' romance novelette in the fight. Or, to put it another way, how long does this bit of string need to be? The main characters cause the story to happen, the secondary characters influence how it happens, and the tertiary characters allow it to happen. They are there to enhance the plot and the main characters and to help drive the story forward. (that one didn't win) , This just happened to me in a Star Wars novel I'm listening to - we're introduced to a whole crew of I think six people, all on one page. The mother dispenses a long string of advice to her daughter to teach her how to properly run a household and live respectably. I hope I cleared this up some - now I gotta go back and try to fix it in the post. Kate lives in Perth, Australia. Weight. If you're writing a short story, then nine is too many main characters. That can make it easier to distinguish between characters, provided you work hard to give each his own voice, pace, vocabulary, and delivery. The number of main characters in your story increases the complexity of the story exponentially, as you have to deal with all of the characters and all of their interactions with each other. As the amazing editor Shawn Coyne wrote in his book The Story Grid, Before becoming a writer, I worked as a pastor for fifteen years. Might have to try the eating each other thing, sometime. That's what I'm asking you to do here. The point is to show people that you shouldn't be making characters for the sake of having a 'full cast of interesting people.'. But there are some types of characters that every story must have. Short stories are often more focused, as all the elements within—plot, character, pacing, story structure, and so … =]. Mr. Kapasi was once fluent in many languages but now speaks only English. Maybe 3 major players, but most stories need some support characters to work - unless it's something like "No Exit" in a completely closed environment, if you go out of the house at all, there will be more than 3. So, in my mind, everyone is the same shade of chicken-soup yellow. Because characters are such an important element in short stories, the kind of character that the writer presents is also of the utmost importance to the development of the story as a whole. Once you’re aware of character type, you’ll find yourself noticing it more and more in what you read and watch. If you love to read literature, especially fiction stories and novels of if you are an aspiring fiction writer, you would be knowing about some basic character types, i.e. I do agree that limiting the number is a good idea, especially if you are dialogue heavy. Think of it like the Power Rangers. Nine is possibly too many characters period, depending on the length of the story. Mr. So effectively, there are 2 fully formed characters in the story. Even in a battle where they are highly outnumbered, I don't do a mass slaughter. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Create a rich setting and backstory. Will this character help me advance/regress the arc of my protagonist/antagonist, either by impeding or aiding them. Kate Krake writes fantasy, sci-fi, and horror fiction, as well as non-fiction for authors. - YES. In her writing advice, speculative fiction novelist and short story writer, Mary Robinette Kowal suggests that in a short story, each character will add around 500 – 1000 words to the piece (Writing Excuses 8.20). That would confuse the dickens out of me. He is obsessed with all things futuristic, primarily Artificial Intelligence and the transformation of societies. I've started a new story, and I'd love it if you can check it out and give me your comments. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. My short story, ‘Asaada Kibus Propagation Manual’, has seven characters (and one dog) at about 3500 words. There is such a thing as too many characters. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. No, I'm just messing with you. I do, however, tend to name a lot of minor characters Patrick and Pati. So Far, 26 Ways to Write "Instantly Likable" Characters, How Brandon Sanderson Motivates His (Incredible) Main Characters, How J.K. Rowling Describes Unforgettable Characters (With Examples), How to Write the Perfect Backstory for Any Character, 4 protagonists, with 4 distinct groups of companions. You get this urge to create, and create, and create. There are so many guides available on how to develop a character, but very few on short story characters. I already knew how everyone would react when she got to mine: "Here," I said, trying to figure out how I could turn invisible, while also showing her that I was, indeed, here. Although a short story has much in common with a novel, it is written with much greater precision. Hone your story's point of view. These cookies do not store any personal information. 6 Simple Motivation Hacks Every Writer Should Know About, How to Write and Stay Sane When You Have Little Kids At Home. For flash fiction of about 500 words or less, a single character is plenty. More advanced elements of a story are Point-of-view, Tone and Style. Too many characters might cause the story to spin out of control. If the newbies survive the meeting, then all is well. 3. Puppy: "Puppy" is short story written by American novelist, short story writer, and essayist George Saunders, first published in The New Yorker on May 28, 2007. They usually get up to about 7 names in the first few paragraphs, with no description whatsoever. If so, how? Thank you so much for the comment Dellani! Three. In my practice, I find the shorter the story the fewer the characters. 3. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Usually that's a big sign for me that I've got way too many characters. 2. For Twitter. In a novel, I really can't see it working for me. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. How Many Characters Should Your Story Have? Sometimes, when you're getting all hot and bothered creative, you get too eager (don't worry, it happens to all of us). Stories follow story arcs, which in turn closely follow the story’s plot. The author had a group of men speaking, all brothers or cousins or something, and their names all began with R. I couldn't keep them straight. With this article, I want to give you some more tools for your writing toolbox to help structure your stories and write great short stories. Quick: what is the most excitable organ in the body? There's 11 people all clustered together in one scene. For example, think of the firstSaw movie… Does your first chapter (or first 2-3 scenes) have more than 10 names? One of the best ways to fix this - without killing or eating anyone - is to split them up into groups, or factions. Needless to say, I was as lost as a duck in the desert. The name was also used for a short story collection of Ellison's work, featuring this story. 140 Character Stories. Is it an important part of the plot or theme? I definitely agree that there's no such thing as too many characters in a story, but I think in any given scene there is only room for 2-4 active characters. Enter your name and email below for more free writing advice. I haven't started outlining the story yet and I'm just taking it as it goes. Before you know it, you have a glut of characters: Is that too many names? I like the name Frank, it's comforting and familiar. However, often people writing short stories can lose time developing their characters and therefore put off writing! Short stories generally range anywhere from 1,500 to 30,000 words whereas novels start from about 50,000 words. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Required fields are marked *. Ask yourself the following questions: 1. There’s no right or wrong number of characters in a short story, but there are general principles that tend to work better. But if my aim is to write only a short story, I try to limit the characters. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For example: It was my first day at my new school. A Classification of Character Types in Literature. I read a book for a contest, which was supposed to be a Regency romance. How many characters? I hope the ideas presented above will aid you in creating interesting and well-rounded characters. Thanks so much. I use these tricks as well and they work for me. Nearly all the short stories have characters that define them, and the same happens with the environment where the story takes place. Setting is a description of where and when the story takes place. Short stories have a relatively broad range of lengths, between 1,000 and 7,500 words. I do personally prefer a less is more approach in both reading and writing, though I’d love to be proven wrong and see a great short story with a dozen or so characters – I like to believe that in writing, anything is possible. For many, it is as natural as breathing is to lungs. Here, he shows others how to sharpen their fiction-writing skills by dissecting the techniques used by the world's best authors. Instead, you get to decide if they get to eat - or have to be eaten by your other characters. Get to know your characters. "I have ended up with two many people in a particular scene, where handling all the different voices and body language becomes more trouble than it’s worth. Each group have their own exchange, before redistributing. Too many people speaking can get very confusing and big group scenes can leave both author and reader panting for breath. Your email address will not be published. Exception: if you're using those names as a device. The Tale of the Android Mimics – Flash Fiction | P.S.Hoffman, Want to Write Everyday? The mother intermittently scolds the girl between her words of wisdom because she fears her daughter will adopt a life or promiscuity. The Broad Outlines of Your Characters’ Lives. But what if you answered 'YES' to one of those questions? As writers, all we care about is getting our readers to engage with the story, so we can lead them on a roller coaster of emotions, and lay them low with a powerful conclusion (ideally, one that haunts them for days). Does this character build the world? Create a narrator that has a unique voice or style. Writing Craft. A short story is a piece of prose fiction that typically can be read in one sitting and focuses on a self-contained incident or series of linked incidents, with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood. You have two choices: The first option is the hardest. Often it seems that large groups fragment into 2s, 3s, and the occasional 4. Their favorite team and … Sometimes it's helpful to just pick a direction and go. I'm watching Ocean's Eleven right now. Therefore, the fewer the characters, the more character development we can squeeze into a smaller word count. That's the magic number. Often this is the case because developing characters for novels versus short stories isn’t very different. I might have mentioned this in the article, but there is one major exception to this: Craft dialogue that rings true. Consider geography, weather, time of day, social conditions, etc. You also see something that happens in the Hobbit, or in some Terry Pratchett books too: lump a few characters together. Height. Clergy get a unique view into people’s lives. My stories often focus on a couple fighting against an antagonist, so I agree completely. The main difference between short story and novel is their length; a short story is generally shorter than a novel as it is intended to be read in a single setting. What applies to most of this article applies to these, too. I was always worried about, "What if, in a hundred years, people want to come back and read my stuff, and it's terrible?". In a short story there are fewer settings compared to a novel. Post in the comments below and tell me how you had to murder/devour/re-assess your characters. Weiland refers to this as a "relationship character." I definitely agree that there's no such thing as too many characters in a story, but I think in any given scene there is only room for 2-4 active characters. You can always scale it up, or maybe you kill off one Antag only to introduce a new one, etc. Creative Living. K.M. So, when you find yourself with too many characters, you must ask yourself the tough questions: If this answer is NO to all of these questions well... it might be time to send old Yeller to the big farm in the sky. 3 is merely a starting point, in my mind, for new writers. A short story doesn’t allow much wiggle room. Especially in short story writing, I would not dive into deep into coming up with complete character profiles. With that understood, it’s possible that the necessary characters for your story will still number in the twenties and thirties. Read this story for a quick example. Make Your POV Characters Distinct. The point of having multiple main characters is to allow your story to expand geographically. I'm just kidding, little guy. There’s no right or wrong number of characters in a short story, but there are general principles that tend to work better. You've got the perfect setup with Protag, Antag, and Wrench character. 3 is, I've found, a really strong number to start with. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Make the narrator particular and specific. The most typical way to structure a story is to divide it into three acts. Agreed. I'm glad I waited it out, because while it wasn't the best writing, he clearly had a purpose - and he killed all but one of them in one fell swoop. Short novels are best when they focus on one narrator and their interactions with other characters. Often it seems that large groups fragment into 2s, … I’ve counseled professionals through being laid off, searching for new jobs, starting in new fields, and t… Why the ex left. […], Your email address will not be published. Only the protagonist and antagonist are allowed any in depth characterisation. I definitely agree that there's no such thing as too many characters in a story, but I think in any given scene there is only room for 2-4 active characters. The reality is that there can only be one protagonist in a story. I’ve been thinking about this, and I don’t know why we can’t do it. It’s a story that needs to show what’s happening on a global scale so I had to flick POV into a few snapshot locations to underscore the importance of what the primary focus character is dealing with. I mean, they're just kids who can do flips and punch bad guys in the face. You can then use this awareness to study that character and see what elements you can use in your own writing. It is limited in scope and has an introduction, body and conclusion. Main Difference – Short Story vs Novel. I hate when this happens. Hard for me to emotionally invest in a protagonist if I have to do a thoughtmap of their relationships. Wrench/Relationship character. Age. But have you ever had that guy, you thought he was a walk-on, come back and take over? Even though short stories are all about the concentration of a core idea or event, we still need to have effective characterisation. It was actually a cool moment that was marred slightly by the too-many-names problem. Not sure I can agree with this 3 characters, entirely. , Excellent post! Personally, I don't like Name Soups in first chapters (or first 5k words). A character of mine has appeared in no less than 11 of my books. I can't even say on average, how many characters I have per story. I don't necessarily agree with her statement on this character's role in the story, but her advice still proves useful. Change your subscription at any time. I'd never send you anywhere. How many characters SHOULD your short story/novel/Harry Potter fan fiction have? What role does setting play in the story? The questions you've listed will help me decide. If you don’t already know, all Twitter posts must consist of 140 characters or less. Read as Many Great Short Stories as You Can Find. How many characters SHOULD your short story/novel/Harry Potter fan fiction have? This is his … An individual character is round, many sided, and complex in personality. I’ve watched couples meet, start dating, get married, have kids, and even get divorced. "I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream" is a post-apocalyptic science fiction short story by American writer Harlan Ellison. But in the ever-intricate realm of stories, there are many more nuanced types to consider! He does handle his 14+ characters very well - I can't imagine trying to deal with that many! Less names to begin with is essential. [tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#amwriting”]A short story can work with a large cast and focus on one or two core characters.[/tweetthis]. Otherwise its confusing as hell. Engaging characters will separate a good story from a bad one. I have read the Hobbit: I think it's my favorite Tolkien writing, actually. In my experience, I've had more of a problem with two few characters (family members and close friends of the protagonist/antagonist are absent without explanation), and have had to flesh things out on the second pass. Do you know how many characters types are there in literature? It was first published in the March 1967 issue of IF: Worlds of Science Fiction.. Choose Carefully. Hahaha, exactly. I do agree that keeping the cast list small is a good idea. While writing a novel can be a Herculean task, just about anybody can craft—and, most importantly, finish—a short story.Writing a novel can be a tiresome task, but writing a short story, it's not the same. Make your plot and conflict high-energy and intense. Fewer, more emotionally complex characters are better than many simpler characters. You can then use this awareness to study that character and see what elements you can use in your own writing. He doesn't want his own, he just likes appearing in others. Hone your story's point of view. Short stories, on the other hand need to be more contained simply due to the nature of the format. Short stories tend to focus on a single plot line, though there are many that successfully weave together more than one. When this happens, I try to think of creative ways to split people up. Short stories, on the other hand need to be more contained simply due to the nature of the format. Protagonist. Plot revolves around conflict—which then informs theme. The real answer to the question ‘how many characters should I use’ is ‘as few as necessary’. Once … Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Select the right words and descriptions throughout your story. That has happened to me a few times. In my practice, I find the shorter the story the fewer the characters. P. S. Hoffman writes Science Fiction and Fantasy. Choosing the best number of characters for your story is always going to come down to what works for you as dictated by the events of your narrative. Sure, I could solve this problem by extending the short story into a novella or novel. Characters - It's important that I remember not to include too many characters in a short story. Not sure why. For a fast start, three is the perfect number: Protagonist. But when the bad guy is a giant alien blob from outer space? The only time I can see myself adopting this idea would be in a very short story. If you're writing a short story, then nine is too many main characters. Okay, that I can get behind! Leave a comment and Subscribe: Alright, so we've all heard the story of the author who was puttering along on their book, when they realized that one of their side characters was waaay more interesting than their protagonist - so they rewrote the whole thing from the side character's point of view. … I like the idea of not naming walk-on characters.But, I do think some secondary characters may have a small role in moving things forward. There’s no right or wrong number of characters in a short story, but there are general principles that tend to work better. We are invited into people’s most painful and personal moments. , Great advice that also made me laugh: thanks for posting! Antagonist. Learn how your comment data is processed. Does the setting change? The Indian tour guide who accompanies the Das family on their trip. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. I should probably clarify this somewhere in the post - 3 is NOT the maximum number of characters you want to have. How many characters SHOULD your short story/novel/Harry Potter fan fiction have? I think there were 5 in the room, all talking. Who is the protagonist? Genre for Authors: The Look and Feel Overlap – A System For Defining Genre, What to Do When You Finish A First Draft: The Stewing Phase, Genre for Authors: How Does A Reader Identify Genre, Genre for Authors: Why Writers Need to Understand Genre. This means that in the limited space of a short story, we want to reserve as many words as possible to develop these engaging characters. Once you’re aware of character type, you’ll find yourself noticing it more and more in what you read and watch. They combine together into this super robot who can do BIGGER flips and punch BIGGER bad guys in the face. Conclusion. They will either be relatable or connected to the protagonist or the antagonist in some way. He once dreamed of being a diplomat but now works as a translator in a doctor’s office, a job he acquired when his young son died from typhoid.