The Fiction Coach

The Fiction Coach

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The Fiction Coach
The Fiction Coach
Pressure Points: Unveiling True Character in Fiction

Pressure Points: Unveiling True Character in Fiction

Exploring the Dichotomy Between Internal Character and Characterization

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James Powell
Apr 24, 2025
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The Fiction Coach
The Fiction Coach
Pressure Points: Unveiling True Character in Fiction
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woman in blue and white floral shirt holding her face
Photo by Caroline Veronez on Unsplash

When I write about craft, I always base my posts on problems I see in the novels and comics I edit for clients.

Here’s another problem I see frequently: characters who never or rarely deviate from their initial characterization. They’re the same on the inside as they’re presented on the outside.

For example, a hero who…

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