Developing Interesting Characters
To learn more about developing characters, join our online course, Bringing Characters to Life!
Want to write absorbing fiction? Here are some types of characters that will add interest to your stories.
1) Characters with self-delusions.
Maybe your character believes she is generous -- but her motives are really selfish.
Maybe he thinks he's the life of the party -- but everyone else thinks he's boorish and rude.
Maybe she sees herself as a victim -- but really she's the victimizer.
This kind of self-delusion adds interesting layers to a character, and provides plot opportunities. The reader might be aware of the character's true nature throughout the story, creating narrative irony. Or the revelation might come at the end, as a plot twist.
2) Characters who are stuck in the past.
Maybe your character experienced a traumatic event that shapes his or her present behavior. Or maybe s/he is obsessed with a past triumph. Examples:
- Your character has such an idealized memory of her high school romance that now, twenty years later, no romantic partner can meet her impossible standards.
- Your character fought in a war and now has trouble adapting to civilian life.
- Your character was once betrayed by someone close to her and now has trouble trusting anyone.
The past event might be the turning point of a plot, or simply a way to add depth to the character, hinting at a life that extends beyond the frame of your story.
3) Characters with contradicting traits.
Maybe your character is cruel to people but gentle to animals.
Maybe your character is ultra-competent at work, but her personal life is a mess.
Maybe your character is outgoing and confident with everyone except for the person he secretly loves.
Contradictions like these add dimension and surprise to a character. If contradictory traits come in direct conflict with each other, that can be the basis of your a plot.
Click here for more character development ideas.
Developing Characters - Next Steps
- Join our free e-mail group to get more ideas and tips sent to your inbox.
- Use our questionnaire to develop character profiles.
- Get advice on how to write a story.
- Visit the Creative Writing Ideas blog.
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