Characters are a very important part of any creative story. They help to move the plot along and give the reader someone to root for or despise. Developing a character can be difficult, but it is definitely worth it in the end. You can do several things to make your character come alive on the page. Let’s take a look at some of them now.
One of the most important things to consider when developing a character is their motivation. What does your character want? Why are they doing what they’re doing? Answering these questions will help you better understand your character and make them more relatable to your readers.
Part of developing your character’s motivation is to look into their backstory. Even if you don’t go into much detail in the piece of writing itself, it is always worth thinking about things that the character may have experienced before the story begins. What is their family life like? Who do they live with? Has anything happened in their life that may have affected their personality at all?
In addition to motivation, you’ll also want to think about your character’s personality. What kind of person are they? Do they have any quirks or unique traits that make them stand out? Developing a well-rounded personality for your character will help them to feel more real to your readers. A helpful way to look further into your character’s personality is to stage an ‘interview’ with them. Think about questions they may be asked about themselves and come up with their answers. This may also allow you to look into your character’s life outside of the story you are writing.
Your character’s personality may change throughout the story, either from being influenced by other characters in the story or because of events that have taken place throughout the story. For example, if the main character of a story starts out as a quiet person who doesn’t speak to anyone, another character may bring them out of their shell and by the end of the story, they may be able to talk to everyone more confidently.
Finally, consider your character’s appearance. What do they look like? How do they dress? These details may seem small, but they can actually be quite important in helping your readers imagine your character and connect with them on a more personal level. When describing your character’s appearance, make sure you use the ‘show, don’t tell’ method. You don’t necessarily say, “She was very tall and had black hair and brown eyes.” Instead, you might say, “He glanced up at her, catching sight of brown eyes hidden behind dark hair”.
By taking the time to develop your characters, you’ll ensure that they are an integral part of your story and that your readers will be able to connect with them on a deeper level. So, don’t neglect this important aspect of writing!
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