Creating Memorable Characters
When writing fiction, one of the greatest challenges is to come up with compelling characters that both interest the reader and fit the story. On the surface, fitting the story might seem like the lesser of the two considerations, but it really is not. Beyond being interesting, the character must also be the type of person who will respond to your plot. Whatever the action of your story is, it needs to matter to your characters. You must care about why these things are happening to this character and take great interest in what the character will do or will cannot do, about it.
Most people's ideas for a character begin with some spark. That spark can come from anywhere: A voice, a look, a profession, a line of dialog, or a plot you want that character involved in. Whatever that original aspect is, that is what you need to explore first. Expand upon that dialog; describe that voice.
Whatever the first spark of life is, explore it until it takes shape. Once you have moved beyond the first spark, you need to create a picture of that character in your mind. This starts out simply. Are they male or female? Does he have a bald spot? Does she wear glasses? What clothes do they wear? How old are they? These are all basic questions, but it is surprising how often they are ignored.
Next, explore the character's background. What is their profession? Does the person even have a job? Where do they live? How would you describe their family? What friends do they have? What things do they own? This last question can be very telling. You can approach it from several angles. What is in their home? In their office at work, what can be found? What do they carry in their pockets? How many keys do they have?
Once you reach that point, it is time to dig a little deeper. Ask yourself, what makes this character interesting and different? Try to come up with a single-sentence description that will vividly show a reader what kind of person this is. This is not necessarily the way you will describe them when you sit down to write out your story, but it is important to have a clear image in your mind.
Some people would consider putting this earlier, but really, until you have all these details, I would not get too eager to name the character. If a name has already come to mind, great, but until now the character absolutely does not need a name. Though, it becomes important. You know who they are; you know what they are like, now give them a name.
Names should match the character, but without being cliché. A boxer named "Punch" is a little silly. Sure, a nickname may spring up that mirrors the character's personality, but the name itself should only suit the character, not pigeonhole them. Entire volumes can be written solely on naming characters, but suffice to say, you can buy a book of baby names and browse through it until you find one that feels good.
Now you can try many ways to get further into your character’s head. Interviewing the character is an excellent step. Ask them questions as if you are a reporter for Rolling Stone, People, or a magazine appropriate to your character's background. Ask them about themselves. Let them speak. If you have other characters in the story, ask them about your character. What do they think about this person? Do they see him or her differently?
Another way to explore your characters can be to visualize them during their everyday activities. How do they wash their clothes? What route do they take to work? What stations do they pick out on the radio? How do they act at a party? How do they respond to their boss? What kind of expression is on their face?
Do they smile often, or rarely? Picture the character five or ten years ago, and five or ten years in the future. Where will they be, and how will the circumstances of this story affect them?
After you have created your character, it is important to remember that they need to be treated as individuals with their own needs and agendas. Do not make a character violate their basic nature just to suit the plot. If this character's actions change your plot too much, you need to either re-examine the plot or create a more suitable character. Allow your characters to have quirks and contradictions, though.
Most people have a thousand little contradictions. The most important advice I can give is to respect your character. Treat them as important people, whether you like the individual character's personality or not. Remember that their feelings matter to them. What happens to them is important to them. If you do not find your character worthy of exploration, how can you expect a reader to?
Eric Myers
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