A list of adjectives (e. g. caring, perceptive, perfectionistic, anxious) is a good start, but it isn’t nearly enough for a complex character. A strong character has a detailed history and present. [2] X Research source
Some beginners overload on tragedy, thinking “more pathos means more interesting. " However, too much can cause readers to lose interest. Focus on one or two things that hurt your character. One or two intense struggles are more compelling than 5 different problems. Try researching the problem(s) your character faces. For example, if your character is self-conscious about being deaf, read from Deaf people, their internal struggles, and how they learned to accept themselves.
Who do they open up to? If it’s hard to open up, why? What makes it scary to them? On a bad day, how does your character handle things? Be socially conscious when discussing harmful coping mechanisms. For example, your character might do harmful things, like excessive drinking or acting possessive/controlling to their partner. To avoid glorifying bad behavior, show the negative consequences of these. Your character should be held accountable for their actions.
Example: Rosario grew up in a large family that spoke endlessly of “hard work” and “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps. " Determined to meet her parents’ expectations, Rosario worked endlessly in school, but kept failing while her peers succeeded. Her teachers called her lazy, and she concluded she was broken. She was hospitalized at age 22 for burnout so severe it nearly killed her. Her subsequent ADHD diagnosis offered some relief, and an idea she wasn’t defective. But she still struggles with feelings of inadequacy, and fears that no one will take her needs seriously, giving her difficulty opening up to others.
“Strengths” are more than school- or job-related skills like “math” and “fixing cars. " Your character may also be compassionate, empathetic, good at problem-solving, a quick thinker, or other things that aren’t tested at schools. Give your character opportunities to help others, or help progress the plot in positive ways.
“She’s sassy” isn’t a flaw. “She gets herself in trouble by picking verbal fights with people” or “she flies off the handle and yells at people when they don’t deserve it” are flaws Avoid reinforcing stereotypes or biases by mislabeling harmless traits as flaws. For example, “the effeminate boy learns to act more manly” or “the autistic woman learns to stop fidgeting in public” aren’t actually growth arcs. Growth means adjusting your behavior in healthy ways, not hiding who you are or making yourself uncomfortable for others’ sake.
When writing diverse characters, read from people like your character. For example, if you’re writing a Muslim character, read personal essays by Muslims about their lives, and articles on how (not to) write Muslims in fiction. [7] X Expert Source Lucy V. HayProfessional Writer Expert Interview. 16 July 2019. Make your character unique. For example, black teens in poor urban areas are often stereotyped as “thugs” who get into trouble. But maybe your character has a passion for singing, and dreams of going into theater. Showing what makes them different helps build a strong story. Try to surprise your readers by subverting their expectations of what the character “should” be. [8] X Research source
Emotions can be kept secret: fears, desires, et cetera. How does the character feel about the secret? How far will the character go to keep it from coming out?
For example, a shy girl might have long hair that hides her face, while a practical girl might prefer short hair that is easy to wash. Try doodling your character (even if you aren’t good at art) to help you imagine them and how they might look.
Kids and teens may like reading about characters who are a little older than they are, especially as they think about what growing up will be like for them.
For example, the story “Silent Voice” features the main character “Claire Fields. " The story is about a girl developing her voice, so “Claire” suggests clarity. “Fields” is a common last name that involves peaceful nature imagery. Use baby name websites for ideas. Make sure that the names seem reasonable for the ethnicity. For example, “Nazari” would be a good last name for a Middle Eastern character, whereas “Kimikho” would be an unusual first name for a white girl who lives in Montana.
Make it clear what the consequences of failure would be. For example, Tara is offered a morally questionable deal that would give her a lot of money. She balks initially, but then learns that her family is in financial trouble and may lose their house—the home that her dead mother raised her in. Tara needs money, or she will lose her childhood home forever. This goal pushes her to do things she otherwise wouldn’t.
For example, say your character is in a convenience store when it is robbed. A passive character would wait for the robbers to leave or the police to come. A proactive one might help others hide or leave, or even try to stop the robbers. This makes for a more interesting story.
Example: Rayquan was bullied as a child, and learned to run and hide from the bullies. So he hides from problems, and he denies that they need to do anything about the villain in the story. Then the villain kidnaps his brother. Rayquan goes after his brother, learning to face problems head-on instead of only hiding.
Example: In chapter 1, Ann is closed-off, brusque, and secretly kind. In chapter 3, she gets angry when asked about her family. In chapter 4, she talks about her fears about being a good mother, and is kind to a child. In chapter 6, she reveals her mother was abusive. In chapter 8, Ann’s refusal to communicate nearly gets her killed when she storms off and is in a car accident with no one knowing how to find her. In chapter 9, she starts opening up more to her husband.
