Today, we shall explore the concept of "Comfort Character" or simply a character who is a source of comfort for others in your story. Even if such a term is used by readers for their comfort characters, you can still have one within the plot, even for your other characters.
Comfort characters are those who are shown to be caring, nurturing, and kind to others. Most of them are shown to have warm and approachable personalities, a good sense of humour and be resilient when things get hard.
This is also portrayed in their outward appearance; sometimes they're shown to be huggable, with round features, doe eyes, and a non-threatening look. Of course, you can play around with this and make them cold and sharp on the outside, but warm and kind on the inside.
ESTABLISHING THEIR LIFE
Outside of caring for others, these types of characters should have a life outside of their intended role. You can give them family, friends, hobbies, fears, worries, specific problems, hidden problems, secrets (secret activities, secret hobbies and similar).
In other words, depending on the kind of story you're writing, these comfort characters should have more than meets its eye. If you wish to also write more of a mysterious character, you can do so as well.
GIVING THEM MOTIVATION
It would be nice to explain to readers why this character(s) want to help, comfort and care for others. In short, giving them some proper motivation for why and how they're doing what they're doing.
There could be many reasons such as: they want to keep others safe, they're a good person, they consider it is the right thing to do.
It could be connected to their childhood, certain life-changing situations, etc.
SHOW DON'T TELL
Other characters don't have verbally acknowledge when the comfort character is being caring and kind unless they're being grateful. Still, it's nicer to show a comfort character doing some kind deeds, giving compliments, hugging, spending time with their loved ones, volunteering, being there for others when things get rough.
BOUNDARIES
Outside of them being caring and kind for the sake of doing so, it would be smart to give them boundaries or simply limit their kindness.
It would be more satisfying to read about a kind person who will tell off and dismiss someone who is toxic, and for your comfort character to stand up for themselves when things get out of hand.
NEEDING HELP
There's nothing wrong with asking for help, likewise, it would be nice to see a comfort character asking for help from others and, more so, receiving said help.
Such as needing help with certain assignments, recovering from an accident, cooking with others and similar activities.
On the other hand, you can make them receive no help when they need it, putting them in conflict with others and slowly build up such tension.
With such an established character it's possible to create tension, conflicts, realisations (especially when it comes to stoxcity of other characters)-
So have fun with this trhope and take care~
by: Nili DooL
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