Francie is an aspiring writer whose life is explored from her teenage years onward. She possesses a deep fascination with language and syllables, though her teachers frequently criticize her lack of traditional plotting skills. Despite finding the writing process isolating and discouraging, she feels a compulsive need to create stories, often drawing from her own awkward experiences and anxieties.

Francie's mother is a highly practical woman who prefers wearing brown because it hides spots. She views writing as a frivolous pursuit and actively attempts to steer her daughter toward stable, conventional professions like child psychology or business. Her attention is heavily divided by the anxiety of having a son deployed in a war zone and underlying marital tensions.

The unnamed narrator acts as a cynical, authoritative guide instructing Francie on the realities of the literary life. Speaking directly in the second person, this voice mixes dry humor with blunt truths, charting the inevitable disappointments and small joys that come with an artistic vocation.

Francie's brother is a young man actively serving in the military. His deployment casts a heavy shadow of anxiety over the family, occupying their mother's emotional capacity and leaving little room for Francie's artistic needs. He represents a very real, life-altering danger that contrasts with Francie's trivial problems with creative writing.

Francie's father is a practical man focused on modern economic realities. He views Francie's creative writing as a poor career choice, advising her instead that she lives in the age of computers. His disconnect from Francie's artistic drive mirrors the overall lack of support she receives at home.

The Boyfriend is Francie's college partner, chosen partially because she wants to transition into writing comedies and needs inspiration. He is generally good-natured but oblivious to Francie's intense creative compulsions, often suggesting simple, unhelpful solutions when she struggles with her work.

Francie's college roommate is a grounded observer of Francie's daily habits. She serves as a blunt voice of reality, pointing out uncomfortable truths about Francie's life, such as her tendency to write exclusively about her relationship instead of broader topics.

Mr. Killian is a traditional high school English teacher who grades Francie's early writing attempts. While he praises her use of imagery, he heavily criticizes her lack of narrative structure, prompting Francie to write defensive insults on her assignments.