Understanding how to build better characters enhances your story, adding depth and leading to a better overall reading experience.
The role of characters
Characters are the people who populate your story’s world and have roles within the narrative, from the hero who saves the world to the waiter who brings them a coffee. Great characters can carry a less than stellar plot so you should alway ensure they are well-developed with motivations and goals that matter to them.
Major characters
These characters are the story’s focal point, often holding the narrative point of view and playing significant roles across multiple chapters and scenes. Whether it’s the determined protagonist, the complex antagonist, a close ally, mentor, or a love interest, their backstories, motivations, and goals are essential to the plot. Removing them would leave your novel feeling incomplete and lacking direction.
Examples:
- Protagonist
- Antagonist
- Sidekick
- Love interest
- Mentor
Secondary characters
Secondary characters provide essential support to the major players in your story. For instance, a best friend might offer emotional encouragement, while a mentor is there to guide and impart wisdom to the protagonist. These characters contribute by motivating, revealing information, guiding, supporting, or protecting the protagonist or antagonist. Some may even introduce subplots, such as side romances or quests, adding additional layers to the narrative. Removing these characters could flatten your novel, making it less interesting and potentially leaving plot holes.
Examples:
- Confident/Best friend
- Sidekick
- Sibling
- Love rival
- Guiding character
Minor characters
These characters, may not take center stage, but they are vital for adding depth and emotion to the story. Though not as prominent as secondary characters, they subtly contribute nuances and provide glimpses into different aspects of the narrative. Even with infrequent appearances, their presence is essential, preventing the world from feeling flat and uninteresting. Minor characters help make the story diverse and entertaining.
Examples:
- Family members
- Villain’s henchmen
- Comic relief
- Allies in a team
- Obstacle characters
Walk-on characters (walk-ons)
Walk-on characters, also known as extras, can make your fictional world feel populated and authentic. They often have minimal interaction with the main characters and might remain nameless. For instance, in a bustling cafe scene, an unassuming “waiter inquired about my order,” or during an epic battle, an anonymous “soldier lunged at the protagonist with a sword.” These brief appearances contribute to the narrative’s realism and add depth to the overall environment.
Examples:
- Town/city residents
- Soldiers
- Students/colleagues
- Neighbors
- Acquaintances
Building better characters
All your characters should feel like real people rather than functioning solely as plot devices. Even if some characters have minimal appearances, readers should be able to recognize and speculate on their motivations and behaviors.
Buidling blocks:
- Backstory: Show how their past shapes them.
- Motivations: Identify driving forces behind their choices.
- Flaws: Introduce relatable imperfections.
- Goals: Give them short-term and long-term aspirations.
- Speech Patterns: Show their personality through the way they speak.
- Relationships: Show how they interact with the people around them.
- Internal Conflicts: Share their personal struggles.
- External Conflicts: Introduce challenges from the external world.
- Change and Growth: Allow your characters to grow and evolve.
- Occupation/Role: Define their role in shaping the story.
Conclusion
Every character, from the protagonist to the walk-on, has a purpose that’s vital in crafting a compelling story. A poorly constructed character, lacking purpose, can undermine believability, leaving readers frustrated with what feels like a mere prop rather than a genuine person. Take the time to build better characters, by considering the role of each individual on the pages of your novel. Who knows? They might evolve into protagonists of their own stories one day.
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