December 21st, Year XXXX

This lecture by Sanderson was about characters and how to write them. This one focuses on hos to establish them, and beginning your characters. One suggestion I'll use is part of the beginning of his lecture. Establishing empathy for the character. You're not going to like a character who has no empathy or you don't care about. There are few ways to go about this. One way is relatable to the reader. Show that the character isn't o different, they suffer from the same problems as the average person, along with their joys. Readers care about things they can relate to because it seems more real to them, as compared to someone who seems distant from reality and doesn't struggle often. You can also show that the character is nice, or someone the reader would like in real life. He uses the analogy of saving the cat. The reader is a lot more likely to like your character if they are known to be heroes or saviors to others.

Another thing he mentioned is establishing interest in the character. If your characters are boring and do nothing, then the readers will obviously lose interest. Sandersons uses a three way chart thing, with a character having likeability, competence, and proactiveness. A character, like Joker, is in no way likeable, but he very proactive in the plot and moving it forward. Characters don't have to have all three, but your protagonists should likely have the likeability part. Next you have to establish their motivation and why the reader should care. You should also establish what it is they want, and why exactly they can't have it. What's stopping them? What's going to eventually get them there? But another thing to keep in mind is the characters connection to the plot. Make sure you make them personally connected to the plot, not just roped into it for no reason. It can add to their motivation or help them reach it.

Villains were also a small section of his lecture, like I said he did mention the Joker and Sauron. Villains are people who do evil, but antagonists are people who merely obstruct the protagonists goals. I feel as though an antagonist would be the better word for what I'm doing in my story. But one of my favorite villains is Gaunter O'dimm from the Witcher 3. The reasons being is because in the universe he basically is satan, an all powerful demon that likes making deals. He's completely evil, but is still fair and will stick to his own words, even if you trick him with his own words. As for my favorite opening line in a book it would have to be the opening line to The Martian. 

"LOG ENTRY: SOL 6

I’m pretty much fucked."