Character Bible

The first step after creating your basic structure is to think about your main character.  If you want a flat, unrealistic character, this is not important.  Okay, so you don't want to skip this step.  My list for a character bible is quite extensive, I have combined several lectures to create this list.  I think it is really  complicated, but it will help you to expand on your basic structure. I am creating a bible for each of my books in progress, I think it will help.

My Character Bible Questions- List

1. NAME: 
2. AGE: 
3. SIBLINGS: 
4. PARENTS:  
5. BACKGROUD: 
6. BEST FRIEND: (or sidekick) 
7. EDUCATION: 
8. OUTSTANDING CHARACTERISTIC: 
9. ARE THEY LIKED BY OTHERS?
10. WHAT IS THEIR FLAW?
11. WHAT DO THEY WANT RIGHT NOW?
12. WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE IN LIFE?
13. WHAT DO THEY WANT FOR THE FUTURE?
14. DO THEY FILL OUT OF PLACE AND AWKWARD OR FIT IN:
15. BACK STORY- EVENTS THAT HAVE SHAPED THEIR LIFE:
16. GRAY AREAS IN THEIR PERSONALITY THAT MAKE THEM INTERESTING:
17. BIGGEST FEAR: 
18. HOW DO THEY ACT UNDER PRESSURE?
19. WHAT DO OTHERS LIKE ABOUT THEM?
20. WHAT IS THEIR SECRET?
21. UNIQUE TALENT OR UNUSUAL INTEREST: 
22. HOW WILL YOUR CHARACTER SUFFER?
23. NEED TO LEARN IMPORTANT LESSON TO GROW:
24. OPPRESSED BY OUTSIDE FORCE:
25. WHAT OTHER CHALLENGES DO THEY FACE?
26. EMPLOYMENT:
27. POWERS: (if any) 
28. LEISURE ACTIVITIES:  
29. WHAT THINGS DO THEY HATE?
30. WHAT FOOD DO THEY LIKE?
31. WHAT FOOD DO THEY HATE?
32. CLOTHING STYLE:  
33. WHAT THINGS DO THEY CARRY IN THEIR POCKETS, PURSE OR BACKPACK?
34. WHAT BIZARRE THING STANDS OUT ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER?
35. LOVE LIFE:  
36. CREATE SEVERAL LIES ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER:
37. WHAT DISTINCTIVE VOICE DOES YOUR CHARACTER HAVE- THE WAY THEY TALK –ACCENT, WORD FLOW etc:
38. FAVORITE COLOR: 
39. FAVORITE MUSIC: 
40. GOAL IN LIFE: 
41. PERSONAL MOTTO:

Story Plan

You have decided on your three act story.  The next step is to start to plan the actual sequence of the story.  The story I am working on is Kaypo and Hugs. It is based on a real life event of adopting a dog which saved my mother' and my life when I was little.  I started by writing out a rough storyboard script to the basics of the story so I knew what was going to happen in sequence  I still have  this, but when I worked on the story plan it helped me see that the rising action was very short, and not as exciting as I wanted it to be by the Climax.  When I actually worked on the rising action, my story became more complex and exciting. 

Story Plan

• Beginning:
• Rising Action:
• Climax:  
• Falling Action:
• Resolution:
• Ending:
• Characters: 
•  Protagonist: 
• Antagonist:
• What is the Conflict in your story?   
• Plot:
• Theme:  
• Setting:

Beginning your Structure

Every story or book follows a basic structure of three acts.

 

If you are like me you automatically plan stories like this without thinking about this structure.  However, knowing the basics will allow you to plan and improve on your basic plot.  Even if you are writing a kids picture book or a kids graphic novel this is your first step in knowing your story design.

Next you will have a basic outline of your plot.  Your plot will include at least the basics of an exposition, the inciting incident, the rising action, the climax, the  falling action, and the resolution.

Act 1

• An exposition, which is the set up for your story or graphic novel, including the setting, the main character, and the conflict. 
• The inciting incident: This is the event that changes the course of the main character's life.

Act 2

• The rising action: This is where you develop the characters and explore their relationships.  This is the meat of the story.  This is what keeps you reading.  If you do not have thoughtful rising action the reader will not want to continue.

Act 3

• The climax: This is the high point of the story, where the main character has to make a major choice or decision. 
• The falling action: This is the point where the main character deals with the results of their decision and is usually packed with action and suspense.
• The resolution: This is the point where there reader learns where the main character ends up and whether they succeed or fail in their goal or desire. 

If have been reading a lot of stories, graphic novels your ideas for your story will automatically fall within this plot structure, because every good story will follow this structure.  When you outline your treatment before starting your novel this should be the basic structure that you use.