WRITING ADVICE #1

Take it or leave it. And send your writing-related questions to: itsottessab@gmail.com. Each week I'll pick a question at random and answer it here. Welcome!

Dear Ottessa,

How do you approach creating such complex and flawed characters? I want to do that too.

- Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

I see why you didn’t want to put your name out there: this is such a weird question.

Do you know any complex, flawed people? Do you know any people? If you’re capable of recognizing flawed or complex qualities in someone you know, you can just imagine that person and start swapping out traits like with a Mr. Potato Head.

If you’re still stumped, try out one of these exercises…