Fire and Ice Characters

So many years ago, I read this book about writing called (I actually cannot find the title of this book, if you know what the name is or who the author is, please let me know!--I will edit this when I find out what it is!!!).  And in this little book, I found one of the best pieces of writing advice I've ever seen on character development.  Many years later, I could not, for the life of me, remember the title of the book.  I was in a writing group and was trying to remember this piece of advice and what book it was from (all I could remember was the title of the exercise), and of course there was this know-it-all who assured me that what I was talking about was this thing she heard about in a writing class.  She knew for a fact that her explanation was right, something she repeated herself many times on. 

Later, I found where I had written it down and  as turns out, she was very wrong, and not only that, when I wrote back a month later to say "Omg, I found it, it's actually this!" and posted the advice, she was not happy and acted like what I was talking about was stupid.  

God, I hate narcissistic behavior.  Especially in writer's groups (which you see a lot of, so beware!).  

Well, anyways, here is the piece of advice, which I will never lose again (and I still have the book--even though I can't find it right now!!): 

Fire and Ice Characters

FIRE: 

Does the reader:

• Fear for the character?
• Identify with them?
• Root for them?
• Empathize with them?

ICE: 

Create a character with: 

• Intensity
• Conflict
• Emotions

Give them a goal they desperately have to reach. Then spend the rest of the story having them trying to achieve that goal. The more desperate, the more intense they are. The more obstacles, the more conflict. The more desire, the more emotional.

And that's it!  The book is filled with tons more amazing writing advice and you should totally buy it if you're a writer yourself, which you can do right here (I will post a link when I can find the book!!): 

In my current story, my character's goal is the most important thing she's ever wanted or needed.  She is beyond desperate.  And she works relentlessly to get to her goal.  Even though she actually has zero control over it, that doesn't stop her.  I really hope readers will be able to identify with her, with her connection to her loss.  And I really hope readers will root for her to get there, even though, again, it's out of her control.  And if the reader is an actual human being, I am sure they'll be able to empathize with her feelings of loss and grief and love.  Because stories are about being human, at their core, and even if you're writing fantasy or horror or science fiction, you should still be able to see the characters at their core for who they really are.  Well, if the writer conveyed that well enough to you, which I hope I have in my stories.  

So, what do you think?  Do your readers fear for your characters?  Identify with them?  Root for them?  Empathize with them?  If not, get the book and find out how to make that happen!!  

When I find the book, I will put a link to it below!  

Here is a great link about character creation that I absolutely adore: 

33 Ways to Write Stronger Characters — Well-Storied.