Giving Your Character The Introduction They Deserve

Giving Your Character the Introduction They Deserve

The simple directness of Neil Gaiman

Shadow’s Introduction from American Gods

I think the way Gaiman introduces Shadow is just near perfect.

“He was big enough and looked don’t-fuck-with-me enough that his biggest problem was killing time. So he kept himself in shape, taught himself coin tricks, and though a lot about how much he loved his wife.

The best thing — in Shadow’s opinion, perhaps the only good thing — about being in prison was a feeling of relief. The feeling that he plunged as low as he could plunge and he’d hit bottom. He didn’t worry that the man was going to get him, because the man had got him. He was no longer scared of what tomorrow might bring, because yesterday had brought it.”

In the opening page, Gaiman describes:

Shadows appearance.

Shadow’s passion.

Shadow’s Mentality.

I think the way Gaiman introduces Shadow is just near perfect. It’s nothing too flashy and Gaiman just comes out and states “Shadow loved his wife.” 

Now you try! Emulate shadows intro. What does your character look like? What is his passion, how do they think? Write two sentences about each and mold them into a paragraph. See how it turns out. What? You already have an agent?? Good job.

Bod’s Introduction from The Graveyard Book

“Bod was a quiet child with sober eyes and a mop of tousled, mouse colored hair. He was, for the most part, obedient. He learned how to talk, and, once he had learned, he would pester the graveyard folks with questions”

From this we have.

Bod’s appearance. (Sober eyes/ mouse-colored hair)

Bod’s actions. (Obedient)

Bod’s mentality. (He loves to ask questions and learn about the world around him)

Again, three characteristics all rolled up into a direct introduction. 

It’s ok to be direct with appearance, but show how your character thinks when you are introducing them. It can be as simple as, “so and so loved to ask questions.“

Richard Mayhew’s Introduction form Neverwhere

“The night before he went to London, Richard Mayhew was not enjoying himself.”

If you don’t see that pattern yet, then I’ll tell you. Neil Gaiman is simple and direct. This is really all we need to know about Richard: “He was not enjoying himself,” because once Neil contrasts Richard’s mood with the scene (they are in a bar celebrating), then we get an idea of what type of person Richard is. So the advice from Neverwhere is:

Be direct

Contrast how your person is feeling and thinking about to what is going on around him.

Final Thoughts:

It’s ok to be simple. It’s ok to tell.

“Bod was a quiet child.”

“Richard Mayhew was not enjoying himself.”

“[Shadow] kept himself in shape, taught himself coin tricks, and though a lot about how much he loved his wife.”

Here are some examples I wrote just now:

The thing Susan thought about the most, was how she was going to die.

Elliot liked to punch people in the gut. Elliot was an asshole.

Woah, slow down there Neil

More!

How to tackle the middle of the book - 4 tips from Neil Gaiman Novels

Little Star - 13th Doctor

doctor x daughter reader you mentioned the doctor comforting the reader after a nightmare

Pairing: Parent!13th Doctor x child!reader

Warnings: Nightmares, comfort

A/N: Gah I looooove doing Parent x child!

Ever since Y/N had lost her biological parents in a fire, she had had nightmares. Nightmares of the flames that licked the walls of her house as she was laying in her crib, wailing from the hotness. She couldn’t see anything in her dreams, as she had been only two when it happened, but she could make out the smell of smoke and the warmth that slapped her face in waves. Sometimes her mind would screw around with her and add some screams into thw mix.

The Doctor hadn’t even thought of them as a possibility at first. She didn’t exactly see anything when it happened, therefore how could such a sweet child like Y/N experience nightmares? In fact she hadn’t at first, they came around her fourth birthday. After that she had a nightmare at least once a week. The Doctor tried to find anything to make them go away, but so far had only come up with stories to distract the young child.

Y/N felt her heart bump in her chest a she sat curled in her bed. Looking at the shadows on the wall she tried to remind herself that she was safe, Aunt-Yaz was sleeping in the room next to her. So were Uncle-Ryan and Pops. She was alright.

Yet tears rolled down her cheeks as she hurrieldy padded to the door and stepped outside. Y/N knew The Doctor didn’t sleep much, at this time of night she must have been down at the panel.

Quietly she stepped down the stairs, holding on the smooth walls of the Tardis while walking. The stairs she went a bit slower, The Doctor saw her walking them down and closed the panel window before picking her up.

”Hey little star, what are you doing up,” she placed Y/N to sit on the edge of the panel. Quickly worry hit her hearts when she saw the tear streacks on Y/N’s puffy cheeks. Tiredly the child rubbed her eyes.

”I saw a bad dream again,” she mumbled.

”The same one?” The Doctor asked and Y/N nodded.

”Oh, poor star,” She sighed and picked Y/N up while walking towards her room.

”Can you tell me a story,” the child asks innocently, not letting go of Doctor’s arm. She stubbornly pulled the Timelord to lay down next to her. The Doctor chuckeld inwardly and nodded, knowing she couldn’t leave the distressed child there by herself.

”What would you like to hear?”

”Tell me… about the time you fought giant wasps!” Y/N exclaimed and snuggled closer to the blonde alien. The Doctor brushed Y/N’s smooth hair while smiling down at her. Her eyes were already much less sad.

”I thought you hated bees.”

”Bees are nice,” Y/N babbled. ”Wasps are not nice. They sting,” she scrunched her nose in disgust. The Doctor chuckled and nodded her head.

”Very well then,” Y/N slid under the sheets and placed her small head over the Doctor’s stomach while listening to her story.

”This was the time I was still a bloke…”

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Forever and Always - Part 2

Title: Forever and Always

Word count: 1,026

Characters: Blu and Girl

Warnings: Angst, crappy writing

———

June 19, 2012

"Come on sweetie let's get you an ice pack for that shiner." Mom says ruffling my tangled messy hair. She walks down the sidewalk "Coming mom! Blu hurry up," I quietly call. The Aussie jumps out of the car, he's older now. I no longer have to help him get in and out of the car. His fur is more developed and his eyes are much clearer. The left one is as blue as the sky and the right one is as brown as dirt.

"Don't worry you'll get them next time." My mom say, she's just trying to cheer me up. It's her job, mother's are supposed to cheer their kids up. I got into a fight with some boys at school today, over what I can't even remember. It was probably something silly, it always is. Only the parent who cares showed when the principal called.

"No I won't they're so big and I'm so little there's no way I can beat them." I mumble taking a seat on the middle bar stool. It creak under my weight even though I don't weigh that much. My feet dangle above the floor with Blu lying under them. I can hear him sigh contently as he closes his eyes and drifts away to dreamland.

"Hey you are stronger than you know," my mom places a plate of fresh birthday bash cookies. I break a small piece the size of a nickel off and drop it in front of Blu. I share everything with my dog he's best friend. It's Blu, mom, and me forever and always. "Are you quoting Sofia the First? I'm twelve now I don't roll that way."

"No I'm not, don't believe what those boys say about you." I guess she’s right in her own motherly way. I walked away from that fight with less bruises and cuts than all of the those jerks. I bet they're just jealous because I’m the best kid on the baseball team. Nah that can't be true everyone one looks at me differently, not just them. I’m girl playing in a boy’s game.

"Mom they'll never like me girls aren't supposed to play sports with boys. I'm gonna go outback, come on Blu." I explain hopping down from my chair being careful not the land on my four legged best friend. Blu gets up and shakes his fur, he always does that when he wakes up. It always makes his dog tags jingle.

I slide open the sliding glass door. The grass is golden yellow as dead as the dinosaurs. It hasn't rained most of the summer although I don't really mind, more opportunities to go outside and make some human friends. I remember all the great adventures I’d had back here when I was younger. Discovering treasure, going to space, becoming a superhero, all great adventures I’d had with my best friend by my side.

I sulk over to a rickety bench near the end of our yard. It’s old and the wood is faded but I love it. This is my bench something no one can ever take from me. I sit down then pat the spot next to me gesturing for Blue to sit beside me. "You still think I’m great?" I ask, he looks at me. A dog’s eyes can tell you everything. They say the eyes are the window to the soul."Thanks, Blu it’s nice to know you’ll never leave me."

We sat in silence for what felt like forever, but in reality was probably only an hour and a half. A large crash resounds from the inside of my house. Blu growls protectively, I rise from the bench nervously fidgeting with my curly hair. I walk up to the house with Blu right at my heels. The sliding door squeaks as slowly pull it open, "Mom dad are you okay?"

"I'm fine, but I think I'll go for a walk to clear my head." Mom chokes, her eyes are red and puffy, tears stream down her cheeks. Uh oh did the monster make the mom cry?

"Brilliant idea," the monster grumbles stomping his Italian leather shoes all the way upstairs. I jump as the door to his monstrous den slams shut.

"Mom it's getting dark out and I heard there's supposed to be a storm tonight." I warn biting my lip nervously. I don't like the idea of my mom walking along the streets of New York City alone so late at night. "I'll be okay sweetheart."

"You should take Blu he can protect you, he's brave." I suggest, rushing to the door to grab Blu’s leather leash. My mother smiles but not her usual warm angelic smile, this one is different. It's sad and lonely. "That's okay, I think Blu would much more enjoy staying inside."

"But-" I don't even get time to finish my sentence. "No buts I need to be alone for a little while." My mother explains giving me a small side hug. I mentally frown but give my mom a small smile.

"Okay mom I understand, when you get home can we have Popsicles?"

I can feel tears streaming down my cheeks, my whole body is trembling. I hate when my mom leaves me with that beast. He doesn't even know I’m alive, as far as he’s concerned I’m a boy. I highly doubt he even knows my name.

"Sure anything for you, we could even eat them at the bench." My mother laughs. I still love her laugh and her smile, they are what make her so unique.

"I'll be back before you know it, it'll just take five minutes, I love you Libby." My mom coos affectionately, hugging me one last time. I watch sadly as she makes her way down the sidewalk. It's as if the whole world is was watching her leave. Birds were no longer singing and crickets had stopped chirping. The whole world was silent watching her leave.

Count backwards from ten thirty times and she'll be back, I tell myself though it doesn't ease my worries in the slightest. "Ten…nine…eight…seven…six…five…four…three…two…"

Requested by anonymous

Whoever decided that you would add on to Chidi and Eleanor’s punishment seriously misjudged the situation. That’s right, you had been placed with Chidi and Eleanor to fuel the fire that was their torture. Their job was to raise you as if you were their own child. Well in the end, instead of resenting you something much better happened.

The more time the pair didn’t with your, teaching you things like how to tie your shoes and spell your name. The more time they spent having tea parties with you and playing superheroes, the more they started to love you. It was to a point where neither of them considered you to be just some kid they were looking after. No, you were their child.

“We are so lucky” said Eleanor, placing her head on Chidi’s shoulder after they had finished putting you to bed. “I know i’m not suppose to be enjoying this. Reading bedtime stories and playing make believe but... I am. I love [Y/N] just as much as I love you”.

Chidi grinned madly in return before placing a kiss on Eleanor’s forehead. “I couldn’t agree more”.

REQUESTS ARE OPEN

Being Amy & Jake’s Child Would Include

Requested by anon:

Being Amy and Jake’s son/daughter would include.. {Brooklyn 99}

For the most part, it’s the best thing ever

They are really good parents, loving and caring

It might not seem like it, but they give great advice

You can count on them if you need anything

They will be supportive if you have a problem

Listen to you and be very open and thoughtful

They definitely take your feelings into consideration

They aren’t extremely affectionate, but you still feel loved

Amy tells you she loves you a lot, Jake not as often

He is trying to, though, because he loves you with all his heart

He just has a bit of trouble expressing it, especially with words

There are definitely a lot of hugs, your favorite are the triple ones

When one of them hugs you and the other one just joins in

Meeting everyone at the precinct and hanging out with them

Especially with Terry’s and Charles’ kids, you adore them

But you have looked after Cheddar several times too

And you love Holt and Kevin, as well as Charles, Terry and Gina

And Rosa is just like your cool badass aunt, she’s awesome

Family escapades with Jake and Amy, to theme parks and cool places

There are a few things that annoy you so much about your parents

Being embarrassed by them, especially by your dad

He literally enjoys embarrassing you, it’s so amusing to him

And Amy will have to tell him off ‘Come on, Jake…’

Just to avoid you dying from embarrassment right there and then

You’re also grossed out when they kiss, even if it’s something innocent

Jake uses this as a weapon when he wants you to go to your room

‘You can’t stop me from loving your mom, Y/N!’ ‘Fine, I’m leaving!’

Deep down you think it’s sweet and cute, but still embarrassing

The worst part about them being your parents is the worry

Sure, they worry about you and try to be the best their can

They are protective about you and want nothing to happen to you

But being cops, you are always worrying about their wellbeing

Still, you are so proud of what they do

Tag list: @c-taylor-wanna-be-a-glader​ / @xionroxas​ / @qtmeryr​ / @lookinsidemyhead​ // If you want to be added or taken off the tag list for these fandoms or characters, let me know!! // Reblogs and comments are appreciated!

Short Excerpt

Title: N/A

Word count: 622

Characters: Beatrice Blue & Steven Universe

Warnings: Fluff, and brother sister bonding?

Notes: It’s just an excerpt from something I don’t think I’ll finish. I think I need a writing buddy.

———

“Ba ba ba, ba ba ba, bah-dum!”

Down the road aways, pushed back from the suburban borrows, by the coastal headland just a few hard from the cove, on little girl was hard at work.

Stealthily on her tiptoes she began to approach the room two doors down from hers. She quietly opened the door. The room was silent save for the repetitious hum Let the space hear, and her own low humming of her self made theme song. She crawled like an arachnid superhero over the over the objects that littered the floor. She picked her way across the shag carpet, trying not to step on anything that could possibly make noise or break under her weight.

Once she sat at the base of the bed she slipped beneath the frame to the other side. She using the end table she climbed up to the shelve that hung above the mattress. Her eyes twitched as she readied herself to jump on the mass bellow. She wiggled her little butt and sprang into action while shouting.

“Gotcha!” She giggled madly, wrapping her arms around the mound beneath the sheets. It took her a minute before the realization hit her. She drew back all the covers until she stood alone in a mess of sheets. “Ah nuggets,” she pouted.

“Hmm?” Before she knew it a translucent wall of pink rose up from below trapping her in bubble. “Hey!” She screeched. She folded her arms over her chest with a huff. There was only one person she knew who could bubble her. The bifold closet doors slid open and out strode her older brother, looking all to smug.

Steven folding his arms over his chest snickered.

“Sorry Bea not this time.”

Beatrice slapped her palms against the bubble casing. “How’d you know I was coming?” She knew her pithy slaps wouldn’t do anything to free her but it was a good way of expressing her frustration.

Steven chuckled gently kneeling in front of the bed where his sister was bubbled. “You do this every time I sleep over.”

Bea’s nose crinkled ever so slightly as she pondered what he told her. “Oh yeah,” she beamed. Her mood immediately brightened and she began to bounce up and down. “I feel, I feel like a gerbil in here. Hey can-“ One second she was happily bouncing, the next her face was flat the thin shell of pink bubble being the only thing separating it from the carpet.

“Beatrice!”

The blonde just shook her head and turned to her brother a dopey grin plastered on her freckled face. “Can I go to breakfast like this?” Her eyes, Steven could swear, they were shaped like stars. “I want to run into stuff.”

Steven rolled his eyes, “weirdo.” Her eyes were so big, so bright he couldn’t resist, “Fine.” Beatrice pumped her fist in the air. Already out the door, heading for the kitchen down the hall Steven called her.

“Come on, gerbil.”