Hello, friends!
We can all agree that interesting characters are very important for the creation of a great story.
That means there are also, unfortunately, many ways to mess them up.
Today, we'll have a look at a common mistake of characters who are there, but wouldn't have to be, and none would notice!
In writing a character there are plenty of things you need to look out for. Some of the most significant ones are their GOALS, PURPOSE, MOTIVATION and MESSAGE.
None cares about a character who just kind of… sticks there and sometimes says something meaningless.
You need to give the reader a reason to CARE. A character that awakens no feelings, no emotions, no intriguing thoughts is… just not it.
ONE SPECIFIC MISTAKE:
Characters with just one defining characteristic - for example, “Evan is rude” and there's nothing more you can say about him.
A very common mistake from that category that was overused for many years was female characters serving only as love interests / s3x objects - with their one and only characteristic being… being hot/sexy/desired. Meh.
Now, let's have a look at how to avoid making the “bland character” mistake!
Of course the proper character creation is the root (I will make a post on it soon), but for today, let's focus on a couple of questions to answer to make sure your character isn't bland!
Let's have a look:
1. WHY are they there?
How much would it weaken the story if they weren't there?
How necessary is their presence?
2. WHAT do they BRING with themselves? A new perspective, a new idea, a threat, a relief…?
3. WHY would a reader think of them and come back to them in their thoughts?
4. WHAT are their motivations?
WHAT do they want?
WHAT are their goals?
DO they care about anything specific?
5. WHAT kind of message do they bring with themselves? (for example: “always keeping to yourself can be harmful” → their message can nicely complement the story’s message)
6. WHY are they the way they are?
Any significant events from their life that shaped them?
7. HOW do they interact with the MC and why?
8. HOW are they different from all the other characters already included in the story?
9. ARE there going to be any changes in their characteristics as the story progresses? How will they happen and why? Are they going to grow, or regress?
Additionally, don't forget to:
- give them some flaws; but not only them
- give them some good characteristics; but not only them
- allow them to fail; but not only fail
- allow them to succeed; but only succeed
- you can make them evil; but is there a 100% evil person? (and why are they evil?)
- you can make them great; but is there a 100% good person?
With the things I've said above, I need to point out:
- don't tell the reader things that are completely insignificant just to fill out the character.
For example, “Joanna broke a wrist back in first grade” - and then never mention it again, or anything at least slightly connected to it. Why would we read about it then?
~ Shell
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