Bringing depth and complexity to your characters: My writer's guide
My two cents on how to craft characters that stick with you!
📝 717 words. ⏳ Estimated reading time: 5 minutes.Hello, fellow wordsmith!
On this strangely-sunny Monday in Tallinn, I want to talk to you about one of my favourite parts of writing: making characters. You know, the ones that feel so real you almost think they could walk out of the book and join you for dinner.
But here’s the thing—it’s not as straightforward as it seems!
Why characters matter
Characters are the heart and soul of any story. Think of them as the essential component that drives everything forward. Whether they’re the hero, the villain, or the quirky sidekick, their actions and decisions keep the narrative moving. We follow their journeys, cheer for them, and sometimes even cry when they struggle.
But what really makes a character unforgettable?
It’s not just their cool powers or fancy clothes. It’s their inner world—their dreams, fears, and struggles. That’s what makes them feel real to us.
The secret sauce: Depth and complexity
Here’s a little secret:
the real star of any story isn’t just the hero, but the imagination of the reader.
As a wannabe-writer, my goal is to spark that imagination by creating characters who are more than just one-dimensional figures.
They need to have a mix of strengths and weaknesses, just like real people.
Archetypes: Familiar yet surprising
Writers often use character archetypes—like the courageous hero or the knowledgeable mentor—to build their characters.
I also prepared an “everything-you-need-to-know” about character archetypes for you. You can find it here, and it’s free.
Just keep in mind that it’s a WIP, so a new updated version will come soon. If you grab it now, I’ll update you by email as soon as version 2 is available.
These archetypes give you a solid starting point. But here’s the trick: to make a character truly memorable, you need to mix things up.
Maybe the hero is brave but has a fear of heights, or the villain is mean but secretly loves puppies.
It’s these twists that make a character stand out and keep readers guessing.
What makes a character tick?
As I said, one of my favourite parts of writing is digging into what drives my characters. What do they want more than anything in the world? What are they afraid of?
These motivations are usually shaped by their past experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
You can create someone who feels real, with layers that unfold as the story progresses by understanding what makes a character tick.
Embracing flaws
Here’s a fun fact: perfect characters are boring!
Let’s say it again:
perfect characters are boring!
Their flaws are what make them interesting. Maybe the hero is a bit too stubborn, or the sidekick is always late. Or the villain has a soft spot for kittens, or the wise mentor can’t resist telling long-winded stories.
These imperfections make them relatable because, let’s face it, none of us are perfect.
And as they struggle with their flaws, they grow, which makes their journey even more compelling.
Finding their voice
A character’s voice is like their fingerprint—it’s unique to them.
How they speak, what they say, and even what they don’t tells us a lot about who they are. A shy character might mumble, while a confident one might speak loudly and clearly.
As the character grows and changes throughout the story, their voice might change too, reflecting their new experiences and perspectives.
The dance between character and plot
Here’s something cool I’ve learned: character and plot are like dance partners. One moves, and the other follows. A strong character can push the plot in unexpected directions, while a well-crafted plot can force a character to grow. When they work together seamlessly, that’s when the magic happens.
So, next time you’re reading a story or writing your own, pay close attention to the characters.
They’re the core of the narrative, and when done right, they’ll stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Time to hit the ‘unsubscribe’ button—just kidding! I’ll see you next time, same place, same email!
—Simon
P.S.: If you’re wondering why I embedded the video above, just ask in the comments!
Love how you put the word count and reading time at the time. Hadn’t seen that before! Your posts are so dynamic. I subscribed and can’t wait to read more!