Building Your Characters
Plus, Publications that Pay!
I met an agent last week who, after hearing my pitch, asked two questions.
1. Is there anyone in your story who could sue you?
2. How many words is your memoir?
I said no to the first question, but it did make me wonder what a person could sue you over. Then I asked my editor for their advice. They didn’t think there was anything in my memoir to be concerned about. Basically, the danger is saying something that could damage someone’s reputation and put their livelihood in jeopardy. For example, did you accuse someone of being a drug addict, alcoholic, or an abuser? Did you say they broke the law?
The second question was easier to answer—52,000 words. Memoirs typically range from 50K to 80K. Mine is still on the short side. The agent then said, once it’s 60K, send me the manuscript.
My intention was always to get it to 60K. The bigger question was how to expand it. This was another conversation with my editor. Their recommendation was to build more characterization. What more can I say about each character so we can understand them better?
Can you find places where you can “show” who they are through actions?
Can you tell us more about the narrator’s hobbies or profession so we know more about their work and downtime?
Are there character descriptions and physical details you can add?
Are there any vivid memories or scenes you have of them that better describe your relationship?
Check out these articles on how to build your characters.
The Missing Link in Memoir Character Development by Lisa Cooper Ellison
A Guide to Bringing the People in your Memoir to Life by Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett
Craft True-to-Life Nonfiction Characters by Bill Roorbach with Kristen Keckler
Building a Character Arc for Yourself in Memoir By Tracy Gold
Submission List #58–Publications the Pay
Chicken Soup for the Soul–96K +followers
Deadline: Various
Theme: Various
Fee: No
Pay: $200
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count:
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: Online form
The Ethel–38M+ followers
Deadline: Open
Theme: Over 50 years old
Fee: No
Pay: $200
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: 500-750
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: Email–aarpethel@aarp.org
Business Insider–5M +followers
Deadline: Open
Theme: Business and Lifestyle
Fee: No
Pay: $200-$400
Genre: Nonfiction
Word Count: 500-600
Medium: Digital
Guidelines/Submission: various emails; see guidelines
Insider Notes
Chicken Soup for the Soul–A Chicken Soup for the Soul story is an inspirational, true story about ordinary people having extraordinary experiences. It is a story that opens the heart and rekindles the spirit. It is a simple piece that touches our readers and helps them discover basic principles they can use in their own lives. These stories are personal and often filled with emotion and drama. They are filled with vivid images created by using the five senses. In some stories, the readers feel that they are actually in the scene with the people. Chicken Soup for the Soul stories are written in the first person and have a beginning, middle and an end. The stories often close with a punch, creating emotion, rather than simply talking about it. Chicken Soup for the Soul stories have heart, but also something extra—an element that makes us all feel more hopeful, more connected, more thankful, more passionate and better about life in general. A good story causes tears, laughter, goose bumps or any combination of these. The most powerful stories are about people extending themselves, or performing an act of love, service or courage for another person.
The Ethel–We’re older women seeking to live our best lives. Instead of slipping into isolation, we’re coming together to share stories — as well as life’s ups and downs. Strength is found in solidarity and there’s comfort in knowing you’re not alone on life’s journey.
Business Insider–Business Insider covers the people, companies, and ideas changing our world — and we welcome outside voices to help us do that. We seek new perspectives from all rungs of our beacon companies and focus on stories that offer candor, detail, enriching advice, regrets, and lessons learned about work, career, ambition, burnout, productivity, job searching, relocation, money, relationships, and more. We welcome pitches of first-person stories — told either in personal essay form or as-told-to style — as well as reported profiles, trend stories, visual features, experientials, and more. Our best advice for deciding what to pitch: Read the site. Get a feel for the types of stories we run. Don’t pitch stories we’ve already written. Be creative. Use a Business Insider-style headline in the subject line of your email. Freelance rates vary and are determined by a variety of factors including the amount of reporting and research involved, the length of the article, and the experience of the writer. All freelance pitches must be exclusive to Business Insider. We do not accept promotional or sponsored posts; you should always disclose any conflicts of interest. If we accept your pitch, your rate will be determined in a discussion between you and your editor via email.
Brody’s Corner
Brody is a Real Character
Thanks for this. Great advice.