By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

How do you determine your character’s actions and reactions to what is happening around them?

Do you prefer writing easy and non-threatening scenes for fear something might happen to your beloved characters? Do you approach character decisions with the mindset of what you’d do in the same situation? Some writers avoid genres that stretch their skills, imagination, and comfort level. Other writers want to create unforgettable stories but learning literary techniques takes too much time.

A professional writer understands the value of determining unique, authentic, and unpredictable character decisions by following a few guidelines. Your character’s decisions reflect who he/she is in your story based on the role of protagonist or antagonist. Not only do their actions impact them but the plot and often the fate of other characters.

1. Know your character inside and out. Ask the hard questions, the inner questions that rouse strong emotions. What formed the character’s personality? Who were his/her role models? What has the character experienced physically, mentally, and spiritually that has shaped who the character is when a decision needs to be made?

2. Study the genre. Read the bestsellers like a textbook and incorporate techniques that you respect and admire. How are decisions made in the genre? Explore other genres for the same information. How can you develop a character and story that’s different than what’s already written but falls within the genre’s guidelines?

3. List the decision the character could make. Avoid predictable reactions and reactions. List other responses. What’s unexpected and yet, still in character? Does the character’s decision move the story forward?

4. Consider the setting. Ensure it is working against your character, even a noble or heroic decision might not result in a good outcome. No matter what the character decides or chooses, he/she must face the consequences.

5. Write the scene in different ways until you are pleased with the results, then read it aloud. Various writing software includes tools for text to speech.

6. Reach out to a critique partner or solid writing group for feedback. Analyze their comments for validity. Incorporate what makes sense.

7. Edit. Edit.

Ensure your character’s decisions partner with their role, genre, setting, and personality.

Are you ready to weave your character’s decisions into a masterful story?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com