Creating unforgettable characters is one of the most important parts of storytelling. Readers fall in love with characters who feel real, relatable, and emotionally engaging. Whether you’re writing a novel, screenplay, or short story, strong character development makes all the difference.
In this guide, Barbara shares her simple and effective process for crafting characters that leave a lasting impression. If you want to bring your characters to life, follow these essential steps!
Step 1: Get to Know Your Character
Before you start writing, take time to truly understand your character. Think of them as a real person and ask yourself:
- What do they want more than anything else?
- What are they afraid of?
- What life experiences shaped their personality?
- What are their biggest strengths and weaknesses?
Writing a short biography or character profile can help you organize these details. The more you know about your character, the more authentic they will feel on the page.
Step 2: Give Your Character a Unique Personality
No two people are exactly alike, and the same should be true for your characters. Make sure they have their own way of speaking, thinking, and behaving. Here’s how:
- Dialogue Style: Do they talk fast or slow? Use formal or casual language?
- Sense of Humor: Are they sarcastic, witty, or serious?
- Body Language: How do they express emotions physically?
- Habits & Quirks: Do they bite their nails, tap their foot, or always wear a lucky charm?
These little details make your character more human and relatable.
Step 3: Give Your Character a Journey
Great characters grow and change over time. Readers love to see characters struggle, learn, and evolve. There are three common types of character journeys:
- The Growth Arc: The character overcomes obstacles and becomes a better person.
- The Downfall Arc: The character’s flaws lead to their failure or tragedy.
- The Static Arc: The character stays the same but changes the world around them.
Whatever path your character takes, make sure their journey is meaningful and impactful.
Step 4: Make Your Characters Feel Real
Readers connect with characters who feel like real people. To make your characters believable, focus on these key aspects:
- Show Their Emotions: Let your character experience fear, joy, sadness, and love.
- Give Them Flaws: Perfect characters are boring. Let them make mistakes and learn from them.
- Create Realistic Relationships: Whether it’s family, friends, or romance, relationships should feel natural and complex.
When readers can relate to your characters’ emotions and struggles, they become truly unforgettable.
Step 5: Show, Don’t Tell
Instead of telling readers about your character, show their personality through actions. Instead of writing, “Sarah was brave,” show her stepping into a dangerous situation without hesitation. Actions speak louder than words!
This technique keeps readers engaged and makes your story more immersive.
Step 6: Give Your Character Challenges
No one likes a character who has it too easy. Great storytelling comes from characters facing struggles and overcoming them.
- Internal Struggles: Fear, guilt, or self-doubt.
- External Conflicts: A rival, a disaster, or a difficult situation.
- Moral Dilemmas: Tough choices with real consequences.
These challenges make characters more interesting and relatable.
Step 7: Build a Strong Supporting Cast
A great main character is even better with a strong supporting cast. Think about:
- Best Friends: Someone who supports or challenges them.
- Mentors: A guide who teaches (or misguides) them.
- Enemies: A complex antagonist with their own motivations.
- Love Interests: Someone who adds emotional depth to the story.
Every character should serve a purpose and help move the story forward.
Step 8: Keep Your Character Consistent (But Let Them Grow)
Your character should act in ways that make sense based on their personality and past experiences. However, they should also grow throughout the story.
To keep track of this:
- Keep notes on their major decisions and emotions.
- Make sure changes happen gradually, not suddenly.
- Check that their actions always feel realistic.
A well-balanced character feels natural and keeps readers invested.
Step 9: Test Your Characters
Before you start writing your full story, test your characters:
- Write short scenes from their perspective.
- Imagine a conversation between two characters and see if their voices are unique.
- Ask friends or beta readers if the characters feel believable.
This will help you refine them before you dive into your novel or script.
Final Thoughts: Bring Your Characters to Life
Writing memorable characters takes time, but it’s worth the effort. By following these steps, you can create characters that feel real, relatable, and engaging.
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