We’ve discussed genuine writing here on the blog. We’ve also talked about crafting convincing characters on The Creative Penn. But what are some practical, nitty-gritty tips for actually creating believable characters in our writing? What separates a real, relatable character from a stereotypical, “meh” one?
When writing a novel an author should create living people; people, not characters. A character is a caricature.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
Here are three tips you can start using today:
1. Real Characters Aren’t Perfect
Believable characters should not be perfect—even protagonists. They should have flaws, physical and immaterial.
First of all, our characters shouldn’t be physically flawless models, even if they are heroes. We want to create people our readers can relate to. This doesn’t mean we have to list the parts of our characters that are ugly—by all means, create attractive characters! But perhaps give them something they are self-conscious about, such as height, a large nose, or a noticeable birthmark. Put dirt under their nails or tangles in their hair. Give them untrimmed eyebrows or an uneven skin tone.
Our characters should also not be flawless in their behavior, decision-making, or thought-life. How boring would that be? Real people make mistakes. They are selfish; they say things they wish they could take back; they stutter; they waver in decision-making; they make wrong choices; they lie; they are insecure; they are afraid; they are anxious, depressed, and uncertain.
They are real.
This doesn’t mean they can’t change, however. Our characters can learn and grow and apologize. But I get ahead of myself…
2. Believable Characters Have Quirks
If you think about it, every single person you know has funny habits, idiosyncrasies, and eccentricities—things that are weird, silly, unique, and that make them who they are.
It is no different with our characters. They should play with their dentures, bite their nails, or scuff their shoes together; they should lick their lips, tuck their hair behind their ears, or yawn after sneezing; they should constantly flip other people’s toilet paper to face the “right” way*, clear their throat every time they have something important to say, or press the lock button on their car several times “just to be sure.”
*The right way being over, not under. Click here to see the settling of the great toilet paper roll orientation debate (and by the inventor of toilet paper himself!).
3. Genuine Characters Grow
We’ve already established that our characters aren’t perfect. The great news about this is that they can grow! And in a good story, they should. One of the greatest things about a story is seeing how the characters become better than they were before. It gives the reader something to aspire to and offers hope that things can change.
Real characters learn. As the writer, make them feel guilt that moves them to ask forgiveness. Cultivate their honesty. Increase their loyalty. Let them realize what real love should be. Move them to change for the better. Use the pain in your plot to forge them into deeper, more noble people—still not perfect, but better than when the reader first met them.
Do give your characters weaknesses. Definitely create them with quirks that set them apart from anyone else, make them relatable, and add an element of humor. And do watch how the story changes them.
Because here’s a bonus tip: don’t control your characters. Create them to be real and they’ll take over the show. When you’ve lost control of your characters—when you can’t force them to do exactly what you want but they make up their own minds—you’ve done well.
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Good reminders! Thanks!
Thank you, Larissa!