Write First, Think Later

This week, Harri talks about what she calls the character scale: background vs secondary vs main characters. She quotes from the Gotham Writer’s Workshop Fiction Guide again and makes up for not using examples from the Harry Potter series last week. She also talks at length about Sirius Black...but can you blame her?

Having complex characters is important, but what makes them believable? Consistency. Harri talks about consistency in “reveals” and intentions versus consistency in traits. She even uses her own characters as examples and dispels some unplanned advice about writing queer characters. And...doesn’t use a Harry Potter example? That’s real character growth.

This week, we take a rambling and disorganized look into character flaws. How do you make them realistic? How do you make them likeable? Can Harri use any example other than The Darkling? The answers may surprise you.

In our second aside, Harri talks about ways to stay (or get) motivated while writing. And she makes so bad Hamilton references.

What’s in a name? A lot. So much that Harri can barely keep it all straight in her head.

In this first bonus episode, Harri shares some “writer-y” ideas about how to pass time in quarantine and spice up your usual writing routine.

Get your thinking shirt on because today, we’re building a character! Or...at least, starting to. Harri explains ways to build a character, questions to ask yourself, and explains one of her top writing pet peeves.

In this installment of the character series, Harri takes us through the important physical things to consider when starting to develop a character. She also attempts to control some cats and explain her thoughts on gender (it’s performative and you can do whatever you want, basically). Oh, and she roasts herself a little.

In this first installment, we take a broad (and rambling) look at the basics and creating a character. Harri uses exclusively examples from YA fantasy and attempts to negotiate with a barking dog.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Write First, Think Later! In this first episode, we tackle some questions from Instagram and learn a little more about our confused host. To get in touch and learn more, follow thewritepodcast on Instagram!