The characterization of the character is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of the entire story. You can have the best plot in the galaxy but if your characters are boring, no one will read far enough to figure it out. If your characters are compelling and well rounded then they can carry a reader through the worst plots imaginable.
1. How to round out the character: They need a basic list of morals, personality traits, likes and dislikes and basic backstory. None of these need to be written into the story, just to get to know your characters and what choices they may make and how they will act and why.
2. Character needs a description. The amount of detail is up to the writer, but there needs to be at least a bare minimum of gender, race, and age range established in some manner. It is rather jarring to find out over half way through reading that the character was imagined completely different. It causes a reader to have to make a huge transition while reading and it is rather unpleasant.
3. Your character needs a character flaw. This is not a physical flaw or even trait (such as being clumsy) but a flaw in a belief or a moral flaw. (this flaw is the most important thing to your plot because the plot will essentially be overcoming this flaw through the trials and events of the story along with building your character arc). Flaw examples: I’m not strong enough, I’m not a hero, there is no such thing as trust… etc.
a. Make sure that this flaw is established throughout the beginning.
b. Make sure it is remembered at the quarter mark.
c. The turning point is stopping running from the flaw (but not overcoming it yet) and facing the obstacle head on.
d. The climax should happen with and because of the overcoming of the personal flaw.
4. Your character needs a likeable trait that the reader can connect with. That is why so many main characters are clumsy, nerdy, a loser, or are bullied. It is to help your audience relate to and bond with your characters.
Tip: Your reader will feel the same as your main character toward sub characters. So if your main character finds someone annoying, enjoyable, etc. the reader will too. If you want the reader to feel a certain way about a character, make the main character feel that way toward them.
My Character Rules
The characterization of the character is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART of the entire story. You can have the best plot in the galaxy but if your characters are boring, no one will read far enough to figure it out. If your characters are compelling and well rounded then they can carry a reader through the worst plots imaginable.
1. How to round out the character: They need a basic list of morals, personality traits, likes and dislikes and basic backstory. None of these need to be written into the story, just to get to know your characters and what choices they may make and how they will act and why.
2. Character needs a description. The amount of detail is up to the writer, but there needs to be at least a bare minimum of gender, race, and age range established in some manner. It is rather jarring to find out over half way through reading that the character was imagined completely different. It causes a reader to have to make a huge transition while reading and it is rather unpleasant.
3. Your character needs a character flaw. This is not a physical flaw or even trait (such as being clumsy) but a flaw in a belief or a moral flaw. (this flaw is the most important thing to your plot because the plot will essentially be overcoming this flaw through the trials and events of the story along with building your character arc). Flaw examples: I’m not strong enough, I’m not a hero, there is no such thing as trust… etc.
a. Make sure that this flaw is established throughout the beginning.
b. Make sure it is remembered at the quarter mark.
c. The turning point is stopping running from the flaw (but not overcoming it yet) and facing the obstacle head on.
d. The climax should happen with and because of the overcoming of the personal flaw.
4. Your character needs a likeable trait that the reader can connect with. That is why so many main characters are clumsy, nerdy, a loser, or are bullied. It is to help your audience relate to and bond with your characters.
Tip: Your reader will feel the same as your main character toward sub characters. So if your main character finds someone annoying, enjoyable, etc. the reader will too. If you want the reader to feel a certain way about a character, make the main character feel that way toward them.