Character creation is an integral part of writing. We want our characters to feel as real as possible. This allows our readers to connect with them, making the plotting part much easier when we know who we are writing about. We would know how they respond in any given moment and what they will do.
However, as a beginner, you may wonder where to start. In this guide, we will go through the basics of character creation.
Creating Characters That Feel Real: Know Who They Are
Before you start writing, and even in some cases, before you start plotting. You need to know who your character is. This does not mean you need to know everything right away. Many people say characters write themselves, and it is partly true. Your characters can and will change after you write your first draft. However, you still do need to have a solid sense of their persona.
What do your characters want? What do they need? Everyone is afraid of something, it would only be natural for your characters to have a fear, too. Find out what they value and what makes them unique.
Characters that feel like real people come from small things as well as important things. Like, what do they do in a crisis, and what is their morning routine? When you know these details, your character’s choices, dialogue, and reactions all become more natural to write.
Why Creating Characters Before Plotting Strengthens Your Story
Some writers like to create the characters as they go. That can work, but sometimes you need to know before writing. For matters like developing a plot.
Here is what can happen when you know your characters:
Your plot follows more easily: Knowing what your characters would naturally do makes it easier to write. You will not worry about how they speak, their body language, or their appearance.
Conflict feels real: You can build better internal and external struggles based on their desires and flaws.
Your character stays consistent: if your character has a strong personality from the start, they will not suddenly do something out of character.
In short, the better you know your character, the better your story will hold together.
Creating Characters with Archetypes: A Beginner-Friendly Starting Point
A helpful first step for beginners is to choose a character archetype. A character archetype is a general role in literature. It is a pattern found across cultures. It is not a rule, but it is a starting point.
Here are some classic examples:
- Hero: Brave, driven, determined to do the right thing.
- Caregiver: Kind, nurturing, always putting others first.
- Antihero: Challenges authority, breaks the rules. It is often the opposite of the hero.
- Trickster: Witty, clever, uses humor, and breaks social norms.
If you are interested to learn more about archetypes. Check out more on Grammarly.
Creating a Character Profile: Organize Your Ideas with Structure
Creating a profile of your characters can help you identify them more effectively. A character profile is a mix of facts and traits that help you fully understand your character. As well as a document to refer back to while writing.
A character profile does not have to be complicated or fancy. You can use a notebook or Google Docs. The purpose is to add anything that explains who your character is or who they will become.
What to Include When Creating Characters: A Quick Profile Checklist
You can use this as a template:
- Archtype
Choose an archetype to start shaping their role. This is to identify their place in the world and how it might change.
- Basics information
These are surface layer facts to answer:
- Name
- Age
- Gender/pronouns
Role in the story (protagonist, antagonist, love interest, etc.) - Occupation
- Key personality traits (e.g., shy, bold, loyal, sarcastic)
Strengths and flaws
- Physical appearance
How your characters look can tell us much about them:
- Hair, eye, and skin color
- Height and build
- Style of dress
- Any scars, tattoos, or distinguishing features
- Facial expressions or habits
- Backstory
Where your characters come from shapes who they are today:
- Childhood experiences
- Family background
- Major traumas or turning points
- Past relationships
- Secrets they carry or regrets they hold
Wants vs. Needs Explained
Every character has something they want. It may be to graduate from a good university and secure a decent job. For other characters, it is to protect their loved ones. Despite that, what they want is not always what they need, and you can use that in their character arc.
What a character wants is what they think will solve all their problems. It is external and often tied to the plot. What they need, on the other hand, is what a character must learn to grow. Sometimes the characters do not know what they need, and it can be smart to tie it to the theme of the story.
There is a simple way to discover that:
- Ask what your characters want most at the start of the story. What are they chasing? What is it they think about before falling asleep?
- Now, ask what false beliefs they have about themselves and the world. Do they think the world is simple, black and white?
- Flip that belief. What they have experienced in the story should have changed how they see the world.
Bringing It All Together
Once you have created a character profile, chosen their character archetype, and identified their wants and needs, you will begin to see your character take shape. They evolve from being only an idea in your head to something that mimics a real person. You will also notice them change while you are writing. Except you have something to look back on if you ever need it.
Remember, you can always ask: What would they do in this situation?
