Category: Uncategorized

Update: Well, shoot!

May have been some miscommunication between Janice and me…and I’ve been scatty enough lately to suspect it could be on my side!

When the post goes live, I’ll connect us to it.

In the meantime…I went to see How to Train a Dragon with the kids this afternoon. I thought it was really good–for adults, too.

And, being me, I couldn’t help but parse it into successful components. :)

I noticed a great protagonist who doesn’t fit in and feels he has to prove himself to his village–which he does, in an unusual way.

I noticed an underlying theme–that maybe we just misunderstand cultures that are different from ours. It lent a little depth to the story.

I noticed several plot twists and characters behaving in surprising ways that really lent some punch to the film.

There was an interesting setting that could be used in different ways–to look ominous, to look peaceful, to make it possible to hide a dragon.

And…if you get the chance, watch it in 3-D. :)

*********************************************

Today, I’m over at YA author Janice Hardy’s blog, The Other Side of the Story. I’m posting on “Working Quickly Through a First Draft.”

Hope you’ll pop over and visit. :)

Here are writing links that I’ve posted to Twitter for the past 7 days. If you’re looking for a particular topic, just plug in your keyword into the search box at the top left-hand corner of the blog.

How to write the killer synopsis and survive: http://dld.bz/dpbp 24 minutes ago via SocialOomph

Writer’s ADD: http://dld.bz/dqHf about 1 hour ago via SocialOomph

Developing trust in our characters over the span of a series: http://dld.bz/dqHb about 1 hour ago via SocialOomph

The 3 act structure: http://dld.bz/dpbn about 1 hour ago via SocialOomph

Twitterati Douchebags and the Stoning Of The Infidel— http://dld.bz/dpbt about 9 hours ago via SocialOomph

Our characters have to suffer: http://dld.bz/dpbj about 10 hours ago via SocialOomph

“I know what you’re thinking.” Writers and emotional cues: http://dld.bz/djkr about 11 hours ago via SocialOomph

Anti procrastination tools for writers: http://dld.bz/djkn about 12 hours ago via SocialOomph

A post on structuring our scenes and novel: http://dld.bz/djkm about 13 hours ago via SocialOomph

How to support your favorite writer: http://dld.bz/djkf about 14 hours ago via SocialOomph

How YA’s version of high school differs from reality: http://dld.bz/djjZ about 15 hours ago via SocialOomph

Bad writing–what is it good for? (Salon) http://dld.bz/djjY about 16 hours ago via SocialOomph

The artisan seller–the writer as promoter: http://dld.bz/djj8 about 17 hours ago via SocialOomph

Secrets for a Great Pitch Meeting: Agents & Editors Version http://dld.bz/djj5 about 18 hours ago via SocialOomph

The Guardian’s list of the best children’s books ever (separated by age group): http://dld.bz/djjf about 19 hours ago via SocialOomph

Why your story needs a twist: http://dld.bz/djja about 20 hours ago via SocialOomph

A quick and easy approach to character building: http://dld.bz/djk2 about 20 hours ago via SocialOomph

An agent on making money writing articles for magazines and websites: http://dld.bz/djhP about 21 hours ago via SocialOomph

We are your platform. And you can fire us: http://dld.bz/djkx about 21 hours ago via SocialOomph

A writer’s top 10 sites for character development help: http://bit.ly/c1HChm @jaysubject about 22 hours ago via web

A tale of 2 writing groups: http://dld.bz/djhD @bluemaven about 22 hours ago via SocialOomph

The creative process–taking our “what-iffing” a step farther: http://dld.bz/djny about 22 hours ago via SocialOomph

How to Find Your Blogging Voice – 8 Tips for Bloggers– http://dld.bz/dgk3 about 22 hours ago via SocialOomph

To Capitalize or Not to Capitalize: http://dld.bz/dgkm about 23 hours ago via SocialOomph

The importance of form in poetry (Writer’s Digest) : http://dld.bz/dgjW 6:40 AM May 12th via SocialOomph

Paranormals by the (Unscientific) Numbers: http://dld.bz/dfQm 5:41 AM May 12th via SocialOomph

Do women rule the publishing world? http://bit.ly/9tJpsd 9:26 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

How to Maximize the Time You Spending Writing an Article– http://dld.bz/dcMA 8:45 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

Where do you write? http://dld.bz/dcM8 7:45 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

Personality Typing Your Characters for Fuller Development: Character Worksheet Part 2 http://bit.ly/9lPMW8 #amwriting #amrevising #yalit 4:04 PM May 11th
The Twisted Spoon Press on “Trickle-Up Publishing” — http://dld.bz/dcM4 6:45 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

Free Software To Allow You To Write Without Distraction– http://dld.bz/dcMy @BubbleCow 5:47 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

The most dangerous story in the world: http://dld.bz/dcMw @lucycoats 4:56 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

12 Life Lessons from Warren Buffett for Being a More Compassionate Writer: http://dld.bz/dcMm 4:31 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

Preparing to write in 20 easy steps (snort): http://bit.ly/dfAUcj @elspethwrites 4:19 PM May 11th via web

Mistakes reviewers make (and solutions): http://dld.bz/cYVA 4:00 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

25+ Favorite Twitter Hashtags for Writers http://bit.ly/bCOw2S @simplywriting 3:12 PM May 11th via web

The Best Way To Use Twitter Hashtags– http://dld.bz/cYVv 3:03 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

Freezing up with writer’s block: http://bit.ly/cvZPz2 via @jessicatudor 2:29 PM May 11th via web

9 Secrets You’re Keeping from Your Story– http://dld.bz/cYGt 2:00 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

Story Arc and Your Ending– http://dld.bz/cYFD 1:02 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

An agent on ‘what if a book is only *good*, not great’: http://dld.bz/cYF9 12:01 PM May 11th via SocialOomph

Do used bookstores hurt writers? An interview with a store owner: http://dld.bz/cYF2 11:05 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

An editor says to respect our writing by carefully approaching querying: http://dld.bz/cY48 10:05 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

Using music to help your writing: http://dld.bz/cY3T @VirginNovelist 9:03 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

Developing a protagonist–desirable traits: http://dld.bz/dcMY 8:55 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

Are you really going to post that? Thinking twice before hitting submit: http://dld.bz/cY3Q 8:02 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

How to Sustain Big Buzz for Your Book (Huff Post) : http://dld.bz/cY5g 7:40 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

Should you compare your work to another novel in your query? http://dld.bz/cY3m 7:01 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

Writing for the Online Audience (Part 1) — http://dld.bz/cY3g 6:01 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

What Should Fiction Writers Blog About? (Writer’s Digest) http://dld.bz/cY3a 5:32 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

Choosing the best link generator for your blog carnival: http://dld.bz/cYGq 4:00 AM May 11th via SocialOomph

A Publisher Closes, an Author Regroups (Huff Post): http://dld.bz/cY4S 11:41 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Do-it-yourself help choosing the right colors for your blog or website– http://dld.bz/cVUs 10:32 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

A tribute to editors: http://dld.bz/cVUq 9:32 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Book marketing–How to Become a Blogging Expert Overnight: http://dld.bz/cVUp 8:32 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Ugly problem areas for writers: http://dld.bz/cVTU 7:33 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

The 12-step plotter method: http://dld.bz/cVTQ 6:31 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Are writing contests worth entering? http://dld.bz/cYWx @nickdaws 5:58 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Bad contracts– don’t sign one: http://dld.bz/cVTD 5:32 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

How to love your writer’s conference: http://dld.bz/cYFQ @territiffany1 5:26 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Best book editors on Twitter: http://dld.bz/cYFt @GalleyCat 5:21 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Best book reviewers on Twitter: http://dld.bz/cYFq @GalleyCat 5:21 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

What one group learned from writing a short story collectively: http://dld.bz/cY8Y @joannaslan 5:05 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Staying productive– the dangers of changes to our routine: http://dld.bz/cVTC 5:01 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

How to achieve your goals: http://dld.bz/cVTw 4:49 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

The Future of Genre Fiction– http://dld.bz/cY2K @johnottinger 4:33 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Cast of thousands–how many major and minor characters in a novel? http://dld.bz/cVTr 4:16 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

How You Reduce External Distractions to Sit Down and Write– http://dld.bz/cV7N 4:00 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Ten Tips to Be Awesome Online — http://dld.bz/cV7Z 3:45 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

How to Network at a Conference Luncheon– http://dld.bz/cV7J 2:48 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Monday Writing Markets/Jobs/Opportunities– http://dld.bz/cV7D 2:30 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Writers’ tools–worksheets and more: http://dld.bz/cXmN @4KidLit 2:03 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Guidelines for author critique groups: http://dld.bz/cV75 2:02 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Yes, the Internet is rotting your brain (Salon): http://dld.bz/cV7p 1:01 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

3 attitudes to help yourself find the time to write: http://dld.bz/cV6M 12:02 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

Character worksheet–Is your character novel-worthy? http://dld.bz/cXkD @4KidLit 12:00 PM May 10th via SocialOomph

A couple of querying trends that are driving an agent batty: http://dld.bz/cV6C @literaticat 11:03 AM May 10th via SocialOomph

Thoughtful post on Ebooks, from an author’s POV: http://dld.bz/cT7Q 10:01 AM May 10th via SocialOomph

Burnout–avoiding it and recovering from it: http://bit.ly/azG3vQ 9:22 AM May 10th via web

Borders finally jumps into the ebook market– http://dld.bz/cT7N 9:02 AM May 10th via SocialOomph

Writing synopses: http://dld.bz/cVU4 9:02 AM May 10th via SocialOomph

To Conceive a Successful Nonfiction Book, Create a Pitch Before You Write– http://dld.bz/cT7F 8:01 AM May 10th via SocialOomph

How to Write a Book in Three Days, by Michael Moorcock– http://dld.bz/cT7C 7:01 AM May 10th via SocialOomph

How one writer learned to relax and enjoy the Story a Day challenge: http://dld.bz/cT7r 6:01 AM May 10th via SocialOomph

When an idea is not a book: http://dld.bz/cV4W 5:58 AM May 10th via SocialOomph

Writer’s Digest’s best tweets for writers, week ending 5-7: http://dld.bz/cT7q 5:30 AM May 10th via SocialOomph

Call for Submissions–Songwriters’ Market: http://dld.bz/cRnm 11:47 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

Should You Expect Reciprocation as a Blogger? http://dld.bz/cRnk 11:30 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

DIY WordPress: How To Add A Copyright Notice To A WordPress Theme– http://dld.bz/cRnj 10:30 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

Fan Fiction – Updates on the Brouhaha: http://dld.bz/cRnf 9:30 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

Improve yourself, improve your writing: http://dld.bz/cRnd 8:30 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

E-book Publishing Dos and Don’ts– http://dld.bz/cRnc 7:30 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

Can I Read Books Bought at the Sony Store on the Nook and Vice Versa– http://dld.bz/cRnb 6:30 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

How To Lose Readers And Alienate People— http://dld.bz/cRmU 5:30 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

Anti-procrastination month for writers: http://dld.bz/cRm9 5:01 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

Bad readers, good readers, and fanfic: http://dld.bz/cRm7 4:01 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

An agent with a synopsis example for literary/mainstream: http://dld.bz/cRkQ 3:01 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

How English erased its roots to become the global tongue of the 21st century (Guardian): http://dld.bz/cPCN 2:01 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

Design: Don’t judge a book by its cover, particularly in France (Guardian): http://dld.bz/cPCJ 1:01 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

Writing the Amateur Sleuth: Keep It Believable– http://dld.bz/cPCD 12:02 PM May 9th via SocialOomph

Character is destiny, part 6: Never underestimate the Everyman– http://dld.bz/cPCu 11:02 AM May 9th via SocialOomph

The editor is always right: http://dld.bz/cPCs 10:01 AM May 9th via SocialOomph

A writer’s support–where to find it and recognizing it when we see it: http://dld.bz/cRgv 9:41 AM May 9th via SocialOomph

How to Make Sure You’re Functioning At Your Creative Best– http://dld.bz/cPCp 9:01 AM May 9th via SocialOomph

Setting up mood– it’s all in the details: http://dld.bz/cRgu @MermaidHel 8:42 AM May 9th via SocialOomph

An agent answers a few #askagent questions: http://dld.bz/cPCk 8:01 AM May 9th via SocialOomph

On idioms in our writing: http://dld.bz/cPCe 7:01 AM May 9th via SocialOomph

Mystery writer Dean James with an upcoming release & lemon icebox pie: http://bit.ly/9T5TOU @CleoCoyle @AveryAames @kristadavis 6:36 AM May 9th via web

Ways to include backstory in our novel: http://dld.bz/cMnM 10:45 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

How to write crisp titles: http://dld.bz/cMn7 10:14 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

Do you have a writing buddy? Using the buddy system: http://dld.bz/cMkW 10:01 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

Starting your 1st chapter off on the right foot: http://dld.bz/cMkK 9:30 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

Why you should get your own domain name: http://dld.bz/cMk7 9:02 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

Writer’s Digest on managing multiple identities as an author: http://dld.bz/cMku 8:01 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

500:1 against getting an agent? http://dld.bz/cMkf 7:02 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

How to read a publishing contract (part 10): http://dld.bz/cMkd 6:01 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

Is your blog bogging you down? Some helpful tips for managing life and an active blog: http://dld.bz/cMjN 5:01 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

How to build a better author video: http://dld.bz/cMjD @GalleyCat 4:02 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

Why Writer Beware doesn’t provide publisher recommendations: http://dld.bz/cMj9 3:01 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

Revisions–dialogue: http://dld.bz/cGXv 1:57 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

Busted! Authors caught infusing first lines with conflict: http://dld.bz/cGXq 12:56 PM May 8th via SocialOomph

Note to younger writer self: http://dld.bz/cGWS @ericaorloff 11:57 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

Top Ten Questions About Breaking In As A Freelance Writer: http://dld.bz/cGWE 10:56 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

Are you using the power of nicknames in your writing? http://dld.bz/cMmE 10:15 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

Pictures and recap of the Malice Domestic mystery conference: http://dld.bz/cMmP 10:15 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

The “I can’t get published unless I’m published” myth: http://dld.bz/cGUD 10:10 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

Avoiding negative self-talk as a writer: http://dld.bz/cMkY 10:03 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

Seth Godin on What Book Publishers Could Do Better– http://dld.bz/cGUa @GalleyCat 9:11 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

Settings R Us–Generic or Unique? http://dld.bz/cMhY 8:17 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

Mystery writer @kristadavis with a delicious recipe for flan to please Mom: http://dld.bz/cMhU @AveryAames @CleoCoyle 8:16 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

Mother’s Day Mysteries: http://dld.bz/cGTz @JanetRudolph 8:15 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

How do you drag emotion from your reader? http://dld.bz/cGSZ @JennJohansson 7:15 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

Kids Don’t Read Like They Used To…And That’s a Good Thing: http://dld.bz/cGS3 6:30 AM May 8th via SocialOomph

How to dry out a soggy book: http://dld.bz/cGWk 10:56 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

Marketing tips from around the net: http://dld.bz/cGSw @tonyeldridge 10:02 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

Feeling grim? Take solace in “The Guardian’s” literary bad days quiz: http://dld.bz/cGRM 9:02 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

The editorial nightmare of the personal testimony: http://dld.bz/c868 6:55 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

Excited *about*, not “for” : http://dld.bz/c85B 6:27 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

Short Writing Bursts: The Freedom to Write Less: http://dld.bz/cGTQ @Writeitsideways 6:11 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

US publishers report strong initial sales on the iPad — http://dld.bz/c858 5:56 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

7 Ways To Spice Up Your Blog Content– http://dld.bz/c856 5:38 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

What every fiction writer can learn from: Robin Hood Prince of Thieves — http://dld.bz/c853 5:16 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

Your Current Project Should Always Be the Focus of Your Query— http://dld.bz/c84Q 4:52 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

4 earning statements for publishers, 1st quarter 2010: http://dld.bz/c85t 4:31 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

Why are there so many great writers with epilepsy?– http://dld.bz/c85j via http://dld.bz/c85k 4:01 PM May 7th via SocialOomph

Watch out WordPress! Google To Add Blogger To Google Apps– http://dld.bz/c84J

Today I’d like to welcome fellow Midnight Ink author Joanna Campbell Slan to the blog. Joanna is an Agatha Award nominee and her Photo, Snap, Shot, the third book in the Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series, was released May 1.

Toying with the Idea of Writing a Book

By Joanna Campbell Slan

This isn’t the post I intended to write for Elizabeth. I’m no dummy. My job here—at least as far as I can tell—is to make you like me so you’ll want to buy my book. Failing that, I need to make you want to read my book, even if you don’t like me.

This might come under the heading: None of the above.

See, I was at a book signing last week with a bunch of other authors, and a man came up, leaned on the table, winked at me, and said, “I’m toying with the idea of writing a book.”

I believe with all my heart that he’s a very nice man. That actually, he’s lovely. That he’s kind and caring and thoughtful and smart. That he only meant to flirt a bit and to ignite a conversation.

Instead, he came very near to getting himself killed.

Okay, maybe I look like a middle-aged housewife who doesn’t get out much. Yes, my covers are bright and cheerful and scream, “Let’s have a good time!” I was sitting there like a dope with (what I hoped was) a perky smile on my face. And I did gussy up for the occasion.

But “toying with the idea of writing a book”?

I had to restrain myself.

So I counted. I counted up into the high numbers, numbers I’m not smart enough to multiply or divide.

And I waited. I hoped he’d say something I could respond to, something that would make me seem like a decent, good human being. A person I long to be.

Toying with the idea of writing a book?

I imagine he was hoping for a bit of encouragement. Perhaps I was supposed to say, “Good for you! I toyed with the idea, too, and now just look at me! Here I am, fifteen books later! Hoping you’ll give my newest book a try! Gosh, if a stupid cow like me can do it, so can you!”

Or maybe, “Oh, piffle, this is easy. I bet a big, strong, handsome fella like you could whip one of these suckers out in no time. Probably be an international bestseller, too.”

Instead I wanted to weep. I wanted to sob and say, “Mister, you have no idea. This is all I ever wanted to do in life. I put myself through four years of college and worked full-time to get a degree in journalism. I worked odd jobs to support myself doing anything in the field, just to get the practice of putting words on paper. I hate every minute that takes me away from the keyboard and my work. I love what I do and I am driven and passionate about it!”

And here’s more of what I should have said:

“I pray, sir, that you keep on toying with the idea of writing a book. I hope that for you, it never becomes anything serious. If you are lucky, you won’t really care one way or another if you get to write each day. If you are fortunate, it won’t matter if your work is good or bad. You won’t wake up each day determined to try harder than you did yesterday. That you won’t read everything you can and study every book you can and go to seminars, classes, and conferences hoping to pick up a crumb more of insight so you can someday be worthy of the printed page and your readers.”

I didn’t say any of that.

But I thought it.

***

Joanna Campbell Slan is really a very nice person, most of the time. Her most recent book—Photo, Snap, Shot—is the third book in the Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series. Publisher’s Weekly called Photo, Snap, Shot “a cut above the usual craft-themed cozy.” And Joanna is moderately happy with that. Visit her at www.JoannaSlan.com or at http://www.KillerHobbies.blogspot.com

I was at my son’s middle school last week, picking him up early for an appointment. I sat in the office with a clear view of the hall.

Whenever I’m able to see a middle school day in progress, I watch in a sort of horrified fascination.

My junior high years were my most un-favorite. Most of the kids were either really cliquey or really mean. I still haven’t gone back for a reunion. I might even have “murdered” a composite of several of them in my books. :)

If some mystical being offered to wave its magic wand and make me 13 again, I’d knock it into next week.

When the bell rang and a class change commenced, I saw a young kid…he must have been a 6th grader, although he looked younger.

My editor wouldn’t let me create a character like him because it would have been too stock: he was short, pudgy, wore glasses, wore clothes that were designed with a middle-aged man in mind, and carried a huge pile of books and notebooks which he proceeded to drop everywhere. Loose leaf notebook paper snowed down all over the hall.

There was some laughter from the other kids. I froze. My first instinct was to run help, but I wondered if that would make things even worse for him…having someone’s mommy rush out of the office to pick up his things.

Then I saw this beautiful girl stop. She was very tall, probably an 8th grader, and absolutely stunning. I thought, “Oh noooo.” Because I remembered girls like that.

I was fiercely indignant and about to go into the hall and defend the nerdy looking boy from any taunting.

But she stooped and quickly picked up all the papers she could reach while he fumbled with his books. He looked at her, bewildered, and she smiled at him and walked on to class.

It really just blew me away; it was so far out of the norm for what I’d observed during my own middle school years.

If I’d written the story, it wouldn’t have turned out that way.

The girl would have been cruel. The scene would have gotten ugly.

It made me realize that I need to take my ‘what iffing’ a little farther sometimes.

Not just “What if there was an awkward kid who dropped all his stuff during a class change…and what if this beautiful girl came along and bullied him?” but “What if it turned out differently than that?”

It also reminded me that I don’t need to let my personal experiences and history get in the way of my imagination, or limit me.

How strongly do your personal experiences color your writing?

Since I’m working up a new book, I’ve got to have a brand-new, completely different protagonist.

When I’m working on a protagonist, one of two things usually happens…the protagonist is just immediately known to me (this happens when I’ve got a composite image in my head based on several people I actually know), or else I go through and build up a protagonist based on traits I admire as a reader.

I’m definitely operating from the second method this time and building up a main character from scratch.

Different writers look for different traits for their protagonist. And, depending on the plot, some traits would be more useful than others. Are you writing a traditional romance? Need a warrior for an epic battle in a fantasy? Your protagonists may need to have radically different abilities and characteristics.

What I’m usually looking for is an ordinary person put into an extraordinary situation, but who is able to resolve the conflict by being proactive and clever.

I want someone who is interesting but ordinary. Intrinsically good, but flawed.

I want someone who has challenges and internal conflict.

I want someone who can be changed…and can grow.

The protagonist doesn’t have to be nice, but shouldn’t be mean.

I like a main character with a sense of humor and a sense of adventure.

I want someone who can help me propel my plot and not just react to things that happen.

So now we’ve got the traits I’m looking for. How else can I nail this imaginary person down?

I’ll spend a few minutes with a character questionnaire like this one, then I’ll write up a description and move on to the plotting.

How about you? What are you looking for in your current protagonist?