Creating compelling characters is one of the most important aspects of writing fiction. Characters are the backbone of your story, and the more memorable and interesting they are, the more engaging your story will be. But how do you create characters that readers will love and care about? Here’s some stuff I’ve learned that might help you master the art of characters creation.
Give your characters a backstory
A character's backstory is their past history that explains why they are the way they are. It could be a traumatic event, a childhood memory, or a life-changing experience that shaped their personality, beliefs, and motivations. By giving your characters a backstory, you create a sense of depth and complexity that readers can relate to. It makes them feel more like real people with real struggles, rather than just fictional constructs. For instance in my debut novel ‘Maxwell’s Silver Hammer’ you find out about how the main character Billy Reeves was bullied at school, how he dealt with it and how it still affects decisions he makes in the present.
Create unique personalities
Each character should have their own distinct personality, quirks, and traits that make them stand out. Try to avoid creating characters that are just clichés or stereotypes. Instead, think about what makes each character unique and give them distinctive traits and behaviours that reflect their personality. One of my characters ‘Ron Carter’ never swore – if you’ve read any of my books then you’ll know how much that makes him stand out
Show, don’t tell.
Biggest rule of writing fiction for me is to show, not tell. Instead of telling readers that a character is brave or funny, show them through their actions and dialogue. Back to Billy Reeves for instance – in ‘Maxwell’s…’ he rushes into danger without hesitation when his family is in trouble. This lets readers form their own opinions about the character's personality and makes them more invested in their story.
Give your characters flaws
Nobody's perfect (God knows I’m not!) and your characters shouldn't be either. Giving your characters flaws and weaknesses makes them more relatable and human. In the book I’m writing now (The Changing Man) Billy is back and doesn’t always win the internal battle he has with anger and rage – this usually ends in bloodshed. This can create conflict and tension in your story, as characters struggle to overcome their flaws and achieve their goals.
Make your characters dynamic
Dynamic characters are those that undergo significant changes throughout the course of the story. They might start off as one type of person but end up completely different by the end. This creates a sense of growth and development that readers find satisfying. In my book ‘Special’ the main character Matt Blake starts out as a Jack-the-lad type. He shirks responsibility and only ever thinks about the next drink or line of coke, he ends with his own business, a steady relationship and a stepson! Think about how your characters might change over the course of the story, and what events or experiences might cause these changes.
In conclusion, creating compelling characters is a vital part of writing fiction. By giving your characters a backstory, creating unique personalities, showing rather than telling, giving them flaws, and making them dynamic, you can create characters that readers will care about and root for. With practice and attention to detail, you can create characters that will keep your readers engaged from beginning to end.