Almost every nice story is about people. Plot, setting, themes, and every different factor of fiction is secondary to lifelike characters that an viewers can join with on an mental or emotional level.

There are exceptions, of course. Some readers take pleasure in plot-driven stories, but they by no means appear to achieve the massive reputation that tales with rich, layered characters achieve. Why do followers adore Harry Potter, Holden Caulfield, and Scarlett O’Hara? Because they're people.

We connect with characters in fiction for any variety of reasons. Perhaps the character reminds us a little of ourselves. We would love her as a result of she represents who we need to be, or we'd hate her as a result of she reminds us of the parts of ourselves we're ashamed of. Some characters feel like buddies; others remind us of our enemies. We'd admire a character’s heroism and relate to his philosophy or we would admonish his acts of destruction and hate.

Some writers argue that it’s not necessary for readers to connect or identify with characters in a story. That is likely to be true to some extent, but probably the most beloved tales all through the historical past of literature are populated with characters we love or characters we like to hate. There’s something to be said for making readers care.
Character Writing Suggestions

Readers won’t care about characters unless they are believable. So how do we make our characters lifelike? Why do essentially the most celebrated characters appear so actual? How have some writers managed to render animals, aliens, and even inanimate objects into characters that we embrace emotionally?

The reply is easy: the best characters are realistic. They come with all the failings, quirks, and baggage that actual people possess. They don't seem to be just names on a page. They have pasts, personalities, and they're unique.

Listed below are 12 character writing ideas that can assist you develop characters that really feel like actual people:

   1. Backstory: we're born a sure manner, however our life experiences regularly mold and shape us. Each character has a life earlier than the story. What is it?
   2. Dialogue: the way we speak is dependent upon the language we communicate and the place we stay (or grew up) but there’s also one thing unique to every person’s model of speaking. We repeat sure words and phrases, inflect certain syllables, and make sure gestures whereas we speak.
   3. Physical Description: our primary method of identifying one another is the way we look; hair and eye color, height and weight, scars and tattoos, and the style of clothing we put on are all a part of our bodily descriptions.
   4. Name: Esmerelda doesn’t sound like a soccer mom, and Joe doesn’t sound like an evil sorcerer. Ensure the names you select for your characters match their personalities and the role they play within the story.
   5. Objectives: Some say that a character’s objectives drive the complete story. He needs to slay the dragon. She wants to search out love. Targets can be small (the character is looking for a brand new automotive) or huge (the character is attempting to take over the world). Provide you with a mix of small and huge targets for each character.
   6. Strengths and Weaknesses: Villains generally do good things and heroes often take the low road. What are your character’s most constructive and detrimental behaviors and personality traits?
   7. Mates and Household: these are the individuals in our inside circles, they usually have performed essential roles in shaping our personalities and our lives. Who are your characters’ family and friends earlier than the story begins? What new mates will they meet once the story begins?
   8. Nemesis: a nemesis is somebody with whom we are at odds. This character doesn’t need to be a villain, but the objectives of the nemesis undoubtedly interfere together with your character’s goals.
   9. Position within the World: what do your characters do for a living? What are their every day lives like? Where do they live? What is a personality’s role or place among his or her associates, family, or coworkers?
  10. Expertise and Skills: a character’s expertise and abilities can get him out of a good spot or prevent him from with the ability to get out of a tight spot. Skills could be ineffective or they will are available handy. Does your character have an schooling or special training? What can he do?
  11. Gestures, Mannerisms, and Quirks: One character chews her nails whereas watching movies. One other runs his hand by his hair when he’s attempting to determine something out. Give your characters identifiable quirks and behaviors, like real people.
  12. Fears: An old fiction writing trick is to figure out what your character is most afraid of, then make the character face it. All of us have fears. Characters should, too.

How to Put These Character Writing Suggestions into Observe

Characters should be detailed and sophisticated as a way to seem real. These character ideas give you a lot to think about, but how do you place them into observe?

You could possibly tackle every thought as a separate exercise. Write your character’s backstory one day. The following day, do a web page of dialogue to see how the character speaks. Then, spend a while searching for an ideal name for your character. Should you work by way of all the following pointers as separate workouts, you’ll find yourself with a sturdy character sketch, and your character might be ready to enter the plot of your story.

Character sketches are in no way mandatory. You could possibly also start writing the draft of your manuscript and see how each of these elements develops organically for every character. During revisions, you may examine your narrative towards this listing to make sure the characters are consistent and have all of the depth of actual people.

How do you create characters? Do you begin with a character sketch or do you just begin writing? Do you could have a checklist (like the one above) that will help you know and perceive your characters? Obtained any character writing tips to add to this checklist? Go away a comment, and keep writing.