Creating Characters that Click

Are you busy writing your next best-selling novel? Sometimes it is important to get a little bit of help. One area many writers find difficult is getting the perfect balance for their characters. There are so many things to keep in mind. Your characters are what drive the story, and because of that, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

Your Best Friend or Your Worst Enemy

Image via Flickr by Mdemente

Your characters need to be more than just a way to advance the story, even though that is their primary function. They need to have personality. Each character has to stand out, just like each person in real life. Think about some of the people you know. Sure, they may have similar interests and tastes, but there are distinct differences between each of them. There is something in each of us that makes us stand out. Similarly, there needs to be something about each character that makes them unique.

Along with the personality, the details are probably one of the most important parts of your character. The little things can mean a lot. What is the character scared of? Do they have a birthmark on their shoulder? Does a limp halt your character’s gait? This is more than just the personality of the character. When you know your characters as well as you know your best friend, you are able to write them better. Because of this, many writers will base their characters loosely off of people they know. This can be a good starting point if you are having trouble coming up with well-rounded characters.

A Rose by any Other Name

Image via Flickr by Parvin ♣( OFF for a while )

As much as I admire him, I’m going to have to disagree with Shakespeare on this one. Names are important. They can convey so many things at once, and this is why one of my favorite parts of writing fiction is coming up with character names. A name and a personality can go so well together. On top of that, names can help you with the setting of your story.

Does your story take place in a fantasy world of werewolves and fairies? More exotic names will generally work in this setting. However, if your setting is a small town in the Midwest circa 2010 or so, you may want to consider more traditional names. Using unconventional names in a conventional setting can also be a great way to further the story. Is your character picked on because of their name? Is there a reason behind the name?

Many authors use names as a type of foreshadowing. For example, if the main character’s name is Benedict, the reader will be able to understand that the character may not be altogether trustworthy. The meaning and history behind a name can help further the story in subtle ways.

The Dashing Hero and the Damsel in Distress

Image via Flickr by M@rcello;-)

A story needs a protagonist. It’s just not going to go anywhere without someone or something to follow. Likewise, it needs an antagonist. However, there are many different archetypes to select from when creating your characters. Of course, in a lot of cases, these archetypes are chosen because of the character’s personality in conjunction with the story arc. When creating your characters, it is a good idea to designate the archetype, at least for yourself. That wise old man on a bench in the park, does he follow the trickster archetype, or is he more of a mentor?

Remember, an archetype does not mean that a character can or can’t do certain things. This is simply a way to help you focus on why they do what they do. Any character of any type can do anything. Knowing the archetype of your characters simply helps you and the reader understand the character’s motivation.

Make a Splash

Image via Flickr by jon smith.

Every writer wants their story to stand out. In many ways, this means your characters need to make an impact on the reader. Making a character stand out can be difficult. Think about the characters you know and love the best. What common traits do they have? If you love them, they stood out to you for some reason.

However, there are some basics that will help your characters along. Tragedy helps readers feel more sympathetic to the character. However, this needs to be balanced. Too much tragedy and the reader may feel overwhelmed or get frustrated with the character.  Triumph in the face of bad odds is similar. When your characters are relatable, even if they are nothing like the reader, they are more likely to be remembered.

Creating truly three dimensional characters can be difficult. They need to have the perfect balance of strength and weakness. Distinguishing personal traits help your reader distinguish one character from the next. Names and personalities need to fit with the rest of the story. Once you have found a good balance with your characters, you will find that they simply click. Knowing how the character should react before they are tossed into a difficult situation will help you write the story that much easier.