A writing trick for you!

Hello again!

I know... I keep saying that I don't believe in writing "rules" and I still hold to that, but I do use tricks to help myself out! So, I thought I'd share a simple trick I've picked up to make characters more rounded, and my books more believable! (Note that I didn't say this is a new idea, just that it helps me, personally.)

Make sure that all your characters are real. 

Now, I certainly don't mean every character needs to be based on real people (though borrowing traits and quirks from real people can help!) What I actually mean by this, is that every character should have their own motivations, and "lives" outside of the main plot. 

Basically, this means that no character should only exist for a plot point or fill a token role. Of course, you will mainly see these characters through the main plot, or through your MC, but there should at least be nods to the fact that they have lives outside of what we see in the book.

Again, I didn't say this was a new, or original piece of advice, just one that can genuinely help, and that is fairly easy to keep in mind.

That's it for me! But what about you? What simple, helpful writing tricks have you picked up? Feel free to share your answers below!

Have a great day, and keep writing!