There are infinite ways to create a compelling character, and there are plenty of resources out there to support you in doing just that! So, to add to those resources for you, let’s explore the Horseshoe Books guide to crafting memorable characters…
Step 1 – Give them a plausible backstory
An aspect of character development that truly enhances the believability of your fictional protagonist is their backstory. By crafting a backstory for your protagonist, you’re helping to flesh them out and making them seem more like a real person. (However, it’s worth nothing that you shouldn’t force your main character’s entire backstory into your novel, or your story won’t be as engaging to read!)
Step 2 – Give them a problem to solve
Every character needs a problem to solve for a story to happen. Even if your character wants a cup of tea but can’t have one because their kettle exploded, that could be enough of a trigger to begin a sequence of events to carry them across a novel-length book! By ensuring your protagonist always has a problem to solve, you’re well on the way to making them a compelling character.
Step 3 – Give them flaws
Last but (definitely!) not least, you must give your character flaws. A flawed character tends to be a relatable character. When readers can relate to a character on some level, they’re far more likely to stay engaged with your story.
Craft book recommendations for character development
Here are several craft books you might find helpful in supporting you to develop compelling characters:
- Story Genius by Lisa Cron.
- Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland.
- 13 Steps to Evil by Sacha Black.
- The Story Book by David Baboulene.
- Writing the Cozy Mystery by Nancy J. Cohen.
- On Editing by Helen Corner-Bryant and Kathryn Price.
- Guide to Writing for Children and YA by Linda Strachan.
Do you need someone to read your novel-in-progress to let you know if your characters are complex, compelling, and compulsively readable? If so, please reach out to us to find out more about our beta reading service 🙂
Thanks for reading!
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