Welcome to the very FIRST episode of Character Test, my show about good characters and the lessons we can learn from them to make our stories, the stories we’re telling with our lives, better.
In this episode, my editor Alice Sudlow and I talk about the 4 things that actually make a good character.
Then, Alice interviews me about my story, and we discuss whether I am a good character (spoiler: I pass the test, barely).
Finally, we give practical advice on things you can do to improve the story you’re telling with your own life, based on the interview.
Oh, and here’s your free prize:
Nice job Joe and Alice. I like the idea of examining various characters, both those well done and those leaving the reader wanting. Enjoyed the character in this week’s episode.
Great discussion, Joe and Alice. I listened to this just before leaving for a family retreat and discussed it with family members over morning coffee the next week. The idea of examining our lives as characters in a story was particularly meaningful as we’ve just lost a truly heroic member of our family. There were a couple of college-age boys along, early career singles, long-time married couples, and widows. Each of us had a story to tell. Made for great conversation – and a few tears. All good stuff.