Real vs. Realistic

 What is the difference?

The difference is that a real conversation people talk about weather, use distinct dialect, and are quite frankly irreverent. While we think it’s normal-which it is- don’t ever use it in a book unless you’re going for a certain awkward aspect . Realistic conversation is where not everything is stilted, but direct. There is a fine line between being blunt and getting to the point, so I would recommend reading a lot of opening dialogue to really get to know it.

Setting is the same. Real is you probably spending a lot of time in your room, at school or in the office. Don’t put your characters there.  Put them somewhere unique, but not unreasonable.  Don’t shove them on a foreign planet because their aunt’s friend mom took them on drive and they fell into a portal.  One of my favorite illustrations of unique, useful, realistic setting is Sarah Dessen and her books. In every book there is a place you would never think of putting your characters in, and they have an airtight reason for being there.

And then there is my pet peeve, Characters.  Authors so frequently make them very real, not realistic. This is a real person.  Consider the person closest to you, and how well you know them, and how deep they are. I’m not saying their genius deep, just many levels, many personalities. It took you years to know all that about them, and you are constantly finding out more.  Now the average noel is 80,000 words.  Not all of them are the hero. Could you write about the person you know closer than anyone in less than 80,000 words?  Too many authors try that, and the reader is left feeling like they didn’t the main character, Because, well they didn’t.

Main Characters should look like this. Layered, but not completely impossible to figure out.  You should gradually get to know them, and finish the book (or series) feeling like you have friend. Kinda like dog.