I’m a writer blog

Guidelines for writing Poems, Stories and Tales

Write a story based on characters from an old novel?

Asked by: Jodie Fiorelli

How do you write a story based on a character?

How to Write a Character Driven Story

  1. Give Your Character a Backstory. …
  2. Make Sure There’s a Conflict. …
  3. Provide Your Character With a Clear Point of View. …
  4. Respect Your Character’s Integrity. …
  5. Outline Your Story in Advance. …
  6. Raise the Stakes. …
  7. Include a Twist. …
  8. Highlight Cause and Effect.

Can you write a novel based on a true story?

A novel can be based on true events, but it cannot be solely a true story. If a novel only involves real events, people and locations, then it becomes creative non-fiction. This opens the author up to a host of critique if they do not adequately research or interview the people involved.

How can I write my own story?

8 Great Ways to Start the Writing Process

  1. Start in the Middle. If you don’t know where to start, don’t bother deciding right now. …
  2. Start Small and Build Up. …
  3. Incentivize the Reader. …
  4. Commit to a Title Up Front. …
  5. Create a Synopsis. …
  6. Allow Yourself to Write Badly. …
  7. Make Up the Story as You Go. …
  8. Do the Opposite.

Is it okay to copy characters?

A copyrighted work must be original. It does not need to be new. A work is original so long as it was independently created by the writer (as opposed to copied from other works), and it possesses at least some minimal degree of creativity. Even a compilation of facts entails originality.

What is a character novel?

Character-driven novels focus on the development of the character versus the development of the plot. The reader learns the complex inner workings of the character and how the character changes as the story unfolds.

What are the 4 ways to build a character in a story?

How to Develop a Character for a Story

  • Determining the Character’s Physical Characteristics.
  • Creating the Character’s Backstory.
  • Giving the Character Motivation and Interiority.

What is it called when a book is based on a true story?

For writers and readers alike, it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between fiction and nonfiction. In general, fiction refers to plot, settings, and characters created from the imagination, while nonfiction refers to factual stories focused on actual events and people.

How do you write a fact based on a novel?

How to Write Fiction Based on a True Story



  1. Be clear about your premise. …
  2. Remove yourself from the story. …
  3. Do your research. …
  4. Be flexible with facts. …
  5. Decide if you need permission. …
  6. Combine stories. …
  7. Shift the setting. …
  8. Edit extensively.

Can you base a fictional character on a real person?

Using real people in your fiction—whether they are correctly named or not—can be legally hazardous. If an author includes enough details that a specific fictional character is identifiable as an actual person, that person could possibly pursue legal action.

Do you need permission to write about someone in a book?

First, a simple rule. If what you write about a person is positive or even neutral, then you don’t have defamation or privacy issues. For instance, you may thank someone by name in your acknowledgements without their permission. If you are writing a non-fiction book, you may mention real people and real events.

What characters are not copyrighted?

Best Public Domain Characters

  1. Robin Hood.
  2. Zorro.
  3. Dracula.
  4. Sherlock Holmes.
  5. John Carter.
  6. Frankenstein’s Monster.
  7. Scarecrow.
  8. Dorothy Gale.

Can you use someone else’s character in your book?

A: Characters are protected by copyright as long as they’re original and well-defined—the traits that probably make them desirable to use in your own work.



Can I mention Harry Potter in my book?

For the sake of moving on, let’s assume that whatever character you want to use is protected by copyright. If all you want to do is make a brief reference to a famous book or character (perhaps your character is a Harry Potter fan), you’re probably okay.

Can I publish letters written to me?

As the recipient of the letter, you cannot, however, publish the entirety of the letter without my consent (except for another possible limited exception I will come to in another minute). The reproduction right remains with me, as the copyright owner — as does the right to create a derivative work.

What should I name my story?

What should I name my story? You should name your story with a title that’s relevant, marketable, eye-catching, and genre-related. Make sure a casual reader knows by the title whether your book is non-fiction, adult fantasy, short story, romance, memoir, middle grade, etc.

How do I write a novel?

How to Write a Novel in 15 Steps

  1. Nail down the story idea.
  2. Read books in your genre.
  3. Choose your book’s point of view.
  4. Establish the setting.
  5. Develop your main characters.
  6. Establish the conflict and stakes.
  7. Create an outline.
  8. Choose your story structure.

What is a unique girl name?

If you would like a name with a pretty sound, these unique girl names surely fit the bill.



  • Annalise. A combination of the name Anna and Lise, this name is simple, pretty, and unique. …
  • Calista. This name is the feminine form of Callistus, which means “most beautiful” in Greek. …
  • Enya. …
  • Allegra. …
  • Avalon. …
  • Aaliyah.

How do I name my character?

12 tips on how to name your characters

  1. Keep the time period of your story and your character’s age in mind. …
  2. Make sure your characters’ names fit their ethnic background. …
  3. Pick a name that fits the character’s personality. …
  4. If you want, pay attention to a name’s meaning. …
  5. Avoid giving several characters similar names.

What’s the rarest girl name?

The name Alora has never been popular in the U.S. and 2017 was the first year that the name appeared on the Top 1,000 list. With very few people naming their babies Alora, it is the rarest girl name in the United States.

What is a badass girl name?

Badass Girl Names for Your Rebel Princess



Davina Beloved Scottish
Diana Heavenly and divine Latin
Dola The crown brings honor African
Dominique Lord Latin
Domino Lord Latin

What name means death?

Thana means “death.” Thanatos is also a Greek name for the god of death.

What is the hottest male name?

100 Sexy Boy Names and Meanings

  1. Aaron. Aaron is a Hebrew name of unknown meaning. …
  2. Abel. Abel comes from the Hebrew name Hevel, which means “breath.” …
  3. Adrian. Adrian is from the Roman name Hadrianus, meaning “from Hadria.” …
  4. Alan. …
  5. Aldo. …
  6. Alexander. …
  7. Antonio. …
  8. Aryan.

What are dark names?

Here are 13 names for all genders inspired by darkness and shadows.

  • Adrienne – the dark one (or the one from Hadria).
  • Dusk – sunset.
  • Gray / Grey – not a color, but a shade.
  • Keir – dark-haired, dark-skinned.
  • Lamya – dark complexion, in Arabic.
  • Layla – dark or night in Arabic.

What name means blood?

Chisuke Chisuke is a Japanese unisex name of the blood. This name literally means “blood.”

What is a scary name?

Spooky Names



  • Arachna. Spider Woman.
  • Banshee. Screaming Spirit.
  • Barnabas. First name of vampire from TV show (soon to be movie) “Dark Shadows”
  • Beelzebub. Another name for Devil.
  • Betelgeuse. Scary spirit – don’t say it 3 times!
  • Blair. From the movie The Blair Witch Project.
  • Bloody Mary. Ghost Legend.
  • Blackbeard. Pirate Ghost.

What is an evil name for a girl?

So you know which names to avoid, here are some evil names for girls: Akuji – This female name means dead and awake. Circe – This is the Greek goddess of magic and sorcery. Drusilla – This is a character name in Cinderella, for one of her evil stepsisters. It’s also used as a character name on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.