The Characters in (Your) Fiction Writing
Characterization is one of the most basic elements in fiction writing. Many writers (and readers) believe that characters are actually the single most important fiction writing element. Plots can be rehashed, retold, and quickly forgotten. Themes are broad, general, and often hidden. Setting is usually nothing more than a backdrop. But characters — realistic characters — can make a story truly memorable.
As a fiction writer, you want your characters to be attractive to readers. Even the big bad villains should have some kind of appeal. You want readers to forge an emotional connection with them, and any emotion will do. Get a reader to love or hate your characters, and you’ve just won the day (and your next book deal). Make readers indifferent to your characters’ plights, and your novel will rot on shelves for years to come.
In the history of fiction writing, storytelling, and reading, some characters have risen to great fame. Some are so famous, in fact, that even people who never read their stories have an idea of who they are. What does it take to create characters like that?
Memorable (and Famous) Characters
If you want your characters to resonate, start by looking at the ones from your fiction reading past. Here are a few of my personal favorites:
- Wilbur and Charlotte (Charlotte’s Web
)
- Harry, Ron, and Hermione (Harry Potter
)
- Holden Caulfield (The Catcher in the Rye
)
- Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler (Gone with the Wind
)
- Sethe and Denver (Beloved
)
Why are They So Special?
What makes these characters so memorable? If you can figure out why you can still clearly recall a character from a novel you read ten or twenty years ago, then you can probably create a character of your own that’s just as sticky.
Sticky Characters and Fiction Writing
Personality Traits – The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful
One of the most important factors in creating realistic characters is to make them… well… realistic. Give them lovable traits, but don’t forget to throw in a few flaws. For example, make a character unpredictable or give the character special and rare traits. Better yet, give them an unusual combination of traits. Scarlett O’Hara is a pistol, a sassy and fiercely independent woman living in the South during the Civil War. She’s often cruel to those who love her and look out for her, yet she’s oddly lovable because she’s resourceful and always comes through when it really matters (and when nobody else can handle the tasks at hand).
Objectives – or A Reason for Existing
Your characters should have clear-cut objectives and should be working to achieve their goals throughout the coarse of the story. Throughout the Harry Potter books, Harry and his friends have countless objectives — some span the entire series, others last the length of one book or even just a single chapter. The characters set goals and then reach them: free the house elves, win a tournament, or triumph in the battle of good versus evil. Your characters’ goals may not be as fantastical, but they still need goals.
The Girl (or Guy) Next Door
Or do they? Holden Caulfield is arguably one of the most famous characters in the history of literature. I knew who he was for years before I actually read The Catcher in the Rye. He isn’t especially special, has no goals, no particularly strong qualities or flaws, yet whenever I read the book, I swear this guy is going to come walking around the next corner. He’s that real. Like someone you actually know in real life.
Relationships That Change Over Time
Almost as important as the characters are their relationships with one another. These relationships have to be realistic but they also must be emotional. We need to see that these characters really care about (or loathe) each other. And more importantly, the relationships have to evolve over the coarse of the story. Just look at Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler from Gone with the Wind. When they meet, he finds her amusing but she can’t stand him. His amusement and attraction blossom into genuine love while her irritation morphs from reluctant friendship to hate to indifference then fondness and finally, into love. Of course, by the time she decides to love her man, she just might be too late.
A Dose of Controversy
How about a little controversy? In Beloved, the character Sethe is a former slave who has killed one of her own babies. Controversial stories often ask a question. In this case: is it better to snuff out the life of one who is destined to grow up oppressed and impoverished? Is this a kind of euthanasia? The controversy in a story is generated by the characters’ actions. Often they do something that is socially unacceptable, or questionable at best. But a warning: forced controversy for sheer shock value often comes across as contrived and fake. Ask genuine questions and present honest moral dilemmas. Don’t go for a cheap controversy just for the sake of creating buzz.
Putting Characters in Context
In fiction writing, characters are (arguably) the single most important factor for a story’s success.We could talk for hours about what makes characters realistic. I could probably write an entire book about it (maybe someday I will).
Take some time to think about the characters in your own fiction. Are they real enough? Do they have a range of positive and negative traits? Do they have goals? Are they easy to relate to? Do they have interesting and complex relationships that develop over time? Do they face unusual situations or do morally questionable things?
Then, spend some time thinking about characters in the stories you’ve loved. What made those characters so fascinating that you actually felt for them? Think about it. Write about it. Then go and create your own larger-than-life, believable characters. And love live fiction writing!
Do you have any tips for developing characters in fiction writing? Who are some of your favorite literary characters? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.
Woohoo, puppets!
I once read about a cartoonist’s rant about cartoon characters. He was talking about how some of the features just have really weak characters. They came up with a setting first (what about a jungle?) and started populating this stage with characters might fit into the story. And then, they didn’t bother to really develop the characters, so the characters were bland and forgettable. On the other hand, some classic cartoon characters are much stronger in that aspect. Popeye could be a sailor in one cartoon, a construction walker in another, and serving sandwiches at a deli in the next. But then, Popeye is Popeye. He’s a good character. You recognize him whatever situation he is in. You recognize him, you recognize his rival Bluto, and you recognize his beloved Olive Oyl. Now those are some truly memorable characters that can stand on their own!
Ha ha! I thought of you when I chose that image Kelvin. I figured you’d like it. Something about your comment got me thinking about Batman Begins, which I think is an excellent character story, although it’s a film rather than novel or story.
Great post! Creating sticky characters is SO important!
I couldn’t agree more!
I vote for characters making the book memorable. I think that is a major reason I don’t hold much for my future as a serious fiction writer; I never think my characters measure up to one’s I have in memory from other writers.
I’m with you Deb. I have enjoyed a few novels that are strong on plot and weak on characters, but the best stories always put characters first. I guess it’s a lot like real life — the best people always put people first
I love the expression “sticky” characters. That’s my new standard for characters.
As a reader, I am particularly fond of characters who have traits that are almost in opposition. Scarlett O’Hara is one of my favorite characters for that reason. She really wants to be a Lady like her mother, but she’s too feisty. When all is said and done, however, she turns out to do what her mother taught her to do: take care of her home and the people who depend on her. Scarlett’s willingness to use un-ladylike means to accomplish her purposes is one of the things that makes her so interesting, and — I think — lovable despite all her flaws.
As a writer, I feel like I’m on the right track with a character when I can’t wait to see what they’re going to do with the next thing I throw at them. Even more, I know I’m onto a good character when I miss them if I am away from the story for any length of time.
Great food for thought. Thanks, Melissa
Meredith
Meredith´s last blog ..Crone Lit
Funny how those expressions just roll out of nowhere. The more I think about “sticky characters,” the more I like it too. Now I’m wondering if I made it up! Scarlett is one of my favorites too. She’s got such spunk! There aren’t many female characters with the presence that she has. Then again, the movie helps a lot… heheh. Thanks Meredith!
Nice post, especially about how characters relate to each other through relationships.
When I’m writing a character, I’ll try and imagine their history and their life up to the beginning of the story. That’s a starting point.
From there, the character will begin to reveal themselves to me through their actions.
Seth M Baker´s last blog ..Who Else Wants a Double Duty Job ?
Thanks Seth. I tend to spend a lot of time with a character before I start writing. That helps me get to know their personalities and quirks. Still, much is always revealed during the story’s unraveling… that’s why writing fiction is so much fun!
When I read Gone With the Wind, my opinion of Scarlett changed (I hated her in the movie). In the book, I was able to understand her. She comes to mind immediately when I thought of memorable characters.
I loved Scarlett in the movie but loved her even more in the book. I’d seen the movie countless times when I finally read it. I sure love her!
Sometimes I get sad when I reach the end of a book because I think of how much I’m going to miss one or several of the characters. I guess it must be even worse for the author who’s able to create such vivid characters that they have that effect on the reader. I guess that’s what sequels are for.
Marelisa´s last blog ..Have You Thought of Taking a Sabbatical?
I love and hate when that happens, but it’s the mark of an excellent novel. And I’m a huge fan of sequels, though it’s always disappointing when the sequels aren’t as good as the prequels.