The First Draft Pro Blog

We freaking love stories

You do too? Well, well, well. That smells like BFF potential.

An illustrated image of a writer interviewing a character in a novel to understand their motivations better
Character & POV
3 min read

Should you write character interviews?

Decide if character interviews can enhance your writing process.
An illustrated image of soundwaves representing the voice of a character in a novel
Character & POV
3 min read

How to give your character's unique and compelling voices

Give your characters unique voices for authentic and engaging storytelling.
An illustrated image of a writer's pen on a page of fiction writing
Character & POV
3 min read

How to respectfully write a depressed character

Respectfully portray characters with depression for narrative depth.
A pink and blue illustration of the galaxy, representing the wide emotional galaxy of your characters.
Character & POV
3 min read

How to show deepening intimacy between your characters

Depict deepening intimacy for realistic character relationships.
An illustrated representation of a forest of trees, representing the forest of events in your character's backstory
Character & POV
3 min read

How to create a compelling backstory for a character

Create a compelling character backstory for deeper narrative intrigue.
An illustrated image of an antagonist character in a novel
Character & POV
3 min read

How to make your readers sympathise with your antagonist

Craft an antagonist who's more than just a villain to engage readers.
An abstract illustrated image of curves and changes in a character's story arc
Character & POV
3 min read

4 types of character arcs

Leverage four types of character arcs for compelling narratives and character development.
An illustration of an antagonist in a novel
Character & POV
3 min read

How to write a great antagonist

Create a believable challenge for your protagonist with a compelling antagonist.
An illustrated image of a villain in a novel
Character & POV
3 min read

How to write a great villain

Craft a compelling villain for a captivating narrative.
An illustrated image of characters in a novel
Character & POV
3 min read

Creating characters with different perspectives

Enrich your narrative with characters of diverse perspectives.
An image of a vast landscape with a bright spot in the centre
Character & POV
3 min read

How to approach writing a character outside your cultural experience

Create authentic, inclusive characters outside of your cultural experience.
An image of a writer's pen on a page of fiction writing
Character & POV
3 min read

How to respectfully write characters with trauma

Respectfully depict characters with trauma for nuanced storytelling.