Writing problems
Some characters may be doing the same job in the story
Two people repeatedly supply the same advice, information or obstacle. You find yourself wondering which one a scene actually needs.
How PlotDirector can help
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Characters
Compare the two records and their linked appearances before deciding what each uniquely brings.
Keep character records together, then open an individual character to review established facts and linked appearances.
Look for Different decisions, pressures, relationships or scene contributions that justify keeping both characters.
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Why this happens
Characters can resemble each other intentionally. The useful question is whether their differences create different pressures or choices, rather than whether their profiles contain different facts.
Two advisers may both offer help, yet one makes safety attractive while the other makes risk possible. Those opposing effects can matter more than differences in occupation or appearance.
What to look for
- Compare what each character changes in shared scenes
- List decisions that require one particular person
- Check whether exchanging their dialogue changes its meaning