How to create a compelling character

You’re starting your creator journey. You’re confident you have the best plot ever, but eh, where do you begin in regard to characters? A story can be eloquently written with the most mind boggling plot ever imaginable and still be lackluster without the right characters. They’re who readers root for, or against. Creating them is a story in itself; who were they before, who are they now, and who will they be in the future? That may sound like a lot to think about, but don’t panic. There is so much around you to assist in character creation and, right here, I have seven basic tips to help you begin your character creation journey!

Try starting by creating characters with similar interests.

If you’re a first time creator, or even struggling with a current work in progress, try developing characters with similar interests to your own. Make an actual list of their likes and dislikes to help determine more about them; personality, appearance, even their goals. Some interests can include sports, are they an avid sportsman or do they just prefer watching games? Do they enjoy video games, art, reading, writing, mathematics, science, animals cooking, etc.? What do they dislike; maybe bugs, snakes, competition, oceans, dishonesty, long walks on the beach? Who knows, make a list and see what happens!

As mentioned in the “Before you a create a new Series - Tips & Tricks” page, a likable character is important to garner interest from readers. One of many ways to achieve that is through relatability or understanding their interests and/or motives. Readers often wish to identify or relate with whom they are reading about, whether it’s the main or side characters. When the author can relate to their own creations then that shows through their work, it becomes more authentic and real for the readers. Once you feel like you’ve got the hang of character creation then try venturing out of your comfort zone!

One thing to note; a likable character does not always equate to a “good” character either. Villains can also be very likable, a mainstream example could be Loki or even an anti-hero like Deadpool.

Have their past affect their present and future.

In other words, have a backstory. Now this doesn’t have to be a twenty page essay of woe, a backstory can be simplistic and have just as much merit. People are influenced by their past experiences so your character should be too.

Ask yourself questions; did they witness the rough divorce of their parents resulting in their less than optimistic view on commitment as an adult? Or even go the opposite route and make them work even harder to obtain a healthy and loving relationship? Have they been backstabbed by a close friend resulting in them distrusting others? Or has it made them so loyal that they often risk their own mental health to make sure others don’t feel that same pain? Simple questions like that will flesh out a character, make them real so that the readers feel a connection while also understanding why the characters behave the way that they do.

Develop who they are, flaws and all.

We often think of our main characters as the heroes of their own stories. With this thought, they sometimes become less of a person and more of an idea; the perfectly good character that’s kind, likable, respectable, essentially always in the right even when it doesn’t make sense. However, people aren’t like that. We’re overly complicated. We’re flawed. We make mistakes, so should our characters. Who is your character and how would they react in the current situation? Remember that even the hero can make the greatest mistakes so develop your characters with that same mindset.

Flaws are important, we love them! And often our strengths can even become our flaws. Your character is kind, but so much so that it results in them being taken advantage of. These little details will go a long way and they show that the characters are their own, unique individuals, which makes us love them even more.

Show who they are through appearance.

The great thing about storytelling, especially visual, is the aspect of showing who the characters are. I’ll make a similar suggestion to the first tip; think of yourself and how you may show your own interests through your wardrobe or environment. Myself as an example, I’ve got a My Neighbor Totoro wallet, a marvel keychain, way too many science related earrings and quite a few anime posters. You can make some guesses concerning my interest based on that, can’t you? Think about that when creating characters!

Are they into fashion? Ok, make them a fashionista that’s always looking like they’re walking a runway. Are they lazy? Give them mismatching socks or plain clothes that are easy to throw on. Are they athletic? Put sports posters on their walls or trophies on their shelves. But something to keep in mind in terms of comic creators, as also mentioned in the Tips & Tricks page, keep it simple. You don’t want to have to draw an embroidered cape with a button up vest and a feathered top hat every panel. One garment of clothing or detail in the environment can show a lot about who a character is.

Give them mannerisms.

Show their personality through how they act or appear on the page too. This truly is the “show, don’t tell” rule of writing. Show who they are through actions. If they’re shy, they may hide their face a lot under hats and hoods. If they’re anxious they may bite at their nails or shift their weight. If they’re hot tempered, they could get red faced easily, often make elaborate hand gestures or raise their voice. If they’re a bubbly character, they could smile a lot or be jittery. Study your own mannerisms as well as your friends or even characters in the media. Base your characters off them for an easy start. Don’t be afraid of being influenced by other characters. You have to start somewhere!

Give them a character arc.

Seeing a plot go from point A to point B is only half the story; the other half is seeing how characters change from the beginning to the end of a tale. To give a character an arc, they need to have some sort of goal. Goals can range from the fan favorite hero saving the world to the very simple high school student that just wants a partner. This goal and how the character achieves it, or even changes their goal throughout the story, is essential to more than just the plot. This is what readers can usually relate to the most or root for. We may not be heroes trying to save the world, but the story of good vs evil is something we instinctively want to root for. Some of us may not want relationships, but we desperately wish to see this character that we adore be loved by another. Again, ask yourself what this character wants in their life, how they’re going to achieve it and how that journey will change them.

The last and most simple tip; write it all down!

Seriously, don’t rely on just your memory. Write or draw all this down in a character sheet. Make bullet points or questionnaires, keep track of everything. Not only for yourself, but also for your readers. You’d be surprised how many are actually interested to see your creation method and would love to see these character sheets. It’s actually a lot of fun and makes the creation of any story so much easier!

About the author:

Thanks so much for your time, I hope these basic tips to character creation has helped or inspired you to start your story. Honestly, I could write an entire book on character creation, but starting out simple really is the best. If you have more questions concerning character creation, don’t be scared to ask! I’m a LGBTQ+ creator on Tapas known as Twoony. Some of my works include the hit novel Speak the Truth, as well as a few others like Riddle Me This and The Not So Super Hero. Don’t be scared to reach out to me, or other creators for that matter! Good luck!

About the artist:

Jess Herron is the writer/artist behind Midnight Furies, your new favorite supernatural sports comic. She loves crafting a compelling, diverse cast of explosive personalities and crazy action sequences. Feel free to reach out to her as well, she’s happy to give advice!

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