How to Write a Character: Top 6
For a novel to be successful, readers need to feel an emotional attachment to the characters. For that to work, a book’s characters need to be dynamic and well-rounded. This is true for an action-packed or plot-driven story. Readers, presumably, are humans. And like all humans, generally, we like reading about other humans. Below, I’ve listed six great ways on how to create impactful characters.
1. A Character’s Purpose
Every character, be them secondary or primary characters, should have some goal or purpose. It could be as silly as a side character in love with cabbage or as intense as finding their long, lost soulmate. Like scenes, every character needs a purpose to both propel the story forward, and to create depth in the plot.
2. Backstories are Vital
Okay, now you’ve given your character a purpose, but what about a backstory? A backstory may or may not be shown to the readers. Whether you choose to share the backstory or not, this writing technique helps define actions and keep consistency with characters. Even if the reader doesn’t know that Mr. Cabbage lover found his love for cabbages after spending most of his youth on his parents’ cabbage patch, they know he loves cabbages. But now you, as the writer, understand the full extent of his love. This isn’t some artificial love for cabbages, this love is a supplement of memories and family.
3. Research is Key
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Have you ever found yourself with a character who might have a skill set far different than your own? This is okay, and I applaud the effort. Creating characters outside of your scope may be difficult, but given the right attitude, and plenty of research it should work out just fine. And when I mean research, I don’t just mean online. If you really don’t have time, then online is okay, but if you’ve never been a firefighter, and you want to write about a firefighter, perhaps you should interview a firefighter. This could give you the inside scoop and help you create a more believable and well-rounded character.
4. Characters Require External AND Internal Conflict
Think about it. When you’re on your own, thinking to yourself, what bothers you most? Odds are, you’re probably thinking about a few different things, something that may happen to you, that has happened to you, and something you may be dealing with emotionally. You’re not just thinking about what’s happening on the outside of your life. Your characters are the same.
5. Characters Should Have Distinctive Mannerisms
Creating multiple characters can be a tricky thing, but it’s not impossible. In fact, you can create many different types of characters just be tweaking their personalities slightly or giving them different mannerisms or ticks. For instance, what if your main character walks on tip-toe every time he or she gets excited? Or perhaps one character blabs nonsense when they're nervous? Anything is possible when you set your mind to it.
6. Your Characters Need Strengths AND Weaknesses
In my early years of writing, I had a problem with giving my characters only flaws or giving them problems that were so ingrained, and so difficult to overcome, it made writing the story nearly impossible. Just like you and me, your character is probably some kind of human or humanoid being. For that reason, they will have strengths and weaknesses. I cannot stress this enough, though. Your characters are human/humanoid. They need to be believable or you will lose readers. I don’t recommend making them so powerful that the weaknesses or flaws are negligible, and vice versa.
Characters are the building blocks of your story. They create change, push your plot forward, and keep readers wanting more. The best sorts of stories have many different types of personalities and characters, and the author isn’t afraid to make them exceptionally weird or strange. These are memorable characters. Don’t be afraid to use them. Now, have fun and happy writing.
Elizabeth Suggs
Elizabeth Suggs is the owner and founder of Editing Mee. When she’s not writing or editing, she loves to dive deep into books (the weirder, the better!), and she loves to take random long walks to unplanned destinations.