Character Development: Unspoken Secrets in Crafting Memorable Characters
- khailareyno
- Apr 25, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 30, 2024
Crafting memorable characters is like sculpting; it's a meticulous process of shaping and refining, stripping away the outer layers to reveal the inner essence. It's about more than just sketching out their physical appearance or listing their personality traits; it's about understanding what makes them tick, what drives their actions, and what fears and desires lurk beneath the surface. This requires a deep understanding of human nature, an ability to empathize with diverse perspectives, and a keen eye for detail to capture the nuances that make each character unique. Just like a sculptor carefully carves out the contours of their masterpiece, a writer must craft each character with precision, adding layers of complexity and depth to create a character that feels alive and relatable to the audience.
Here are some key strategies to help you create characters that will stay with your audience long after they've finished reading or watching your story:
Complexity
Memorable characters are not just words on a page; they're living, breathing entities with a complexity that mirrors real-life individuals. They are multi-faceted, possessing a rich tapestry of emotions, motivations, and desires that drive their actions and decisions. As I've mentioned many many times, these characters should feel real and authentic, with layers that are gradually revealed, much like peeling back the layers of an onion. This depth allows the audience to connect with them on a deeper level, as they see reflections of their own struggles, triumphs, and contradictions in these characters. It's this complexity that makes them relatable and fascinating, keeping the audience engaged and invested in their journey.
Authenticity
Creating characters that resonate with audiences requires a delicate balance of authenticity and relatability. They should feel like real people, with a mix of strengths and weaknesses that make them relatable and compelling. Realistic flaws, quirks, and imperfections add depth to characters, making them more nuanced and human. Characters who are too perfect or idealized can be difficult for audiences to connect with because they lack the complexity that mirrors real-life individuals. By avoiding these pitfalls and crafting characters with depth and authenticity, writers can create stories that resonate with audiences long after the final page is turned or the credits roll.
Distinctiveness
When creating characters, it's crucial to ensure that each one possesses a unique voice, personality, and traits that set them apart from the rest. This uniqueness can be expressed through various elements, including their dialogue, mannerisms, behaviour, and even their thought processes. For instance, one character might have a tendency to speak in short, blunt sentences, reflecting a no-nonsense attitude, while another might use more flowery language, showcasing a poetic or artistic nature. These differences in speech patterns and behaviours not only make the characters more memorable but also help to avoid confusion for the audience, allowing them to easily distinguish between characters. This distinctiveness keeps the audience engaged, as they become invested in the individual journeys and personalities of each character.
Depth
Giving your characters a rich backstory and inner life can greatly enhance their depth and relatability to the audience. By showing how their past experiences have shaped who they are and influenced their actions, you create a sense of authenticity and complexity that resonates with viewers. For example, a character who experienced a traumatic event in their childhood may exhibit behaviours stemming from that experience, such as a fear of abandonment or difficulty trusting others. These traits add layers to the character, making them more three-dimensional and relatable. Additionally, a character's backstory can provide context for their motivations and decisions, helping the audience understand why they behave the way they do. This depth of character not only enriches the storytelling experience but also makes the characters more compelling and memorable.
Here's a video that can assist you in crafting a compelling backstory:
Creating Believable Backstories for Characters \ Brandon Sanderson
Be sure to explore the chapter "Understanding Human Behaviour: A Foundation for Character Development" to gain more insight into the motivations behind human actions.
Arc
Memorable characters are often defined by their ability to evolve and grow throughout the narrative, offering a dynamic and engaging arc that resonates with audiences. This transformation can take various forms, ranging from positive changes where characters overcome their flaws and achieve their goals, to negative changes where they descend into darkness or despair. These shifts should be significant, influencing the character's journey in profound ways. For example, a character who starts as a timid individual might gradually find their confidence, leading them to take bold actions and make difficult decisions. Conversely, a character who begins as a hero might succumb to their inner demons, ultimately becoming a tragic figure.
Flaws
Characters should have flaws and vulnerabilities that make them human. These imperfections add depth to their personalities and make them relatable to the audience. Characters who are too perfect can be difficult for the audience to connect with because they seem unrealistic. By giving characters flaws, writers create opportunities for growth and development throughout the story. These flaws can drive their actions and decisions, making them more believable and engaging. For example, a character who is overly ambitious might make reckless choices in pursuit of their goals, leading to conflict and character development. Additionally, vulnerabilities can make characters more empathetic, as they struggle with internal and external challenges. These flaws and vulnerabilities should be integrated into the character's overall arc, allowing them to overcome obstacles and grow over the course of the story.
Goals and Motivations
Characters should have clear goals and motivations that propel them forward in the story. These objectives should be deeply rooted in their desires, fears, and values, adding depth and complexity to their personalities. When a character's motivations are well-defined, their actions become more purposeful and their decisions more impactful, driving the narrative forward in a compelling way. For instance, a character driven by a desire for justice may be motivated to fight against corruption, leading them to take risks and make sacrifices for their cause. So, by understanding what motivates your characters, you can create more believable storylines that resonate with audiences. These motivations can help to create internal conflicts within the character, adding depth to their development throughout the story.
Relationships
Characters are like mirrors reflecting off each other, and their relationships often define them as much as their individual traits. By exploring how characters interact with one another, you cannot only reveal their personalities but also demonstrate their growth and change over the course of the story. These relationships can range from familial bonds to friendships, rivalries, and romances, each adding layers to the characters involved. For example, a character's relationship with a mentor could shape their values and beliefs, while a rivalry could push them to exceed their limits. Ultimately, strong relationships can be the driving force behind your character's journey, pushing them to confront their fears, pursue their goals, and evolve in meaningful ways.
Symbolism
Symbolism can add a layer of depth and complexity to your characters, enriching their portrayal and reinforcing the themes of your story.
Using symbolism in character names can be a powerful tool for reinforcing personality traits and adding depth to their portrayal. A name like "Grace" suggests elegance and poise, and whenever this character is mentioned or appears in a scene, these qualities are subtly reinforced.
A character's physical appearance can also be another powerful tool for conveying deeper meaning and symbolism. By describing a character's appearance in a certain way, you can hint at their personality traits, their past experiences, or the journey they are on. For example, a character with scars might not only indicate past trauma but also suggest resilience and strength. These scars could serve as a visible reminder of the challenges they have faced and overcome.
Similarly, the use of other physical attributes such as clothing choices, hairstyles, or even body language can all contribute to the symbolism of a character. A character who always wears dark colours might symbolize mystery or a troubled past, while a character with a confident posture and a bright smile could symbolize optimism and positivity.
Additionally, the roles characters play in the story can also be symbolic.
A mentor character, for instance, typically embodies the concept of wisdom and guidance. They often represent the idea of passing down knowledge and experience to the next generation, providing crucial insights and direction to the protagonist. Their role extends beyond mere teaching; they symbolize the journey towards enlightenment and personal growth.
On the other hand, a villain character is often symbolic of evil or conflict. They serve as the primary source of opposition to the protagonist, embodying the darker aspects of human nature or representing societal fears and challenges. The villain's actions and motivations are often driven by greed, power, or revenge, illustrating the consequences of unchecked ambition or malevolence.
Consistency
Creating characters that are both complex and consistent is crucial for maintaining audience engagement as I've mentioned in previous chapters. A character's behaviour should align with their established personality traits and background to ensure believability and immersion in the story.
Consistency in character behaviour doesn't mean they can't change or grow throughout the story. In fact, character development often involves overcoming internal conflicts and evolving over time. However, these changes should be grounded in the character's established traits and experiences, making them feel like a natural progression rather than a sudden shift.
For example, if a character is established as being cautious and risk-averse, it would be inconsistent for them to suddenly take reckless actions without a believable reason. Instead, their growth might involve gradually becoming more willing to take calculated risks as they face and overcome their fears.
Consistency also extends to how characters respond to situations based on their personalities. For instance, a character who is typically empathetic and compassionate should not suddenly become insensitive and indifferent in a dramatic scene, unless there are clear and justified reasons for such a change.
Next, are some questions to consider before beginning your story:
Psychological
What’s so important to them that not even death will stop them from getting or doing it (What is the character's main goal?)
What motivates this character?
What are their fears and insecurities?
What are their core beliefs and values?
What's the character's level of intelligence?
Are they an introvert or extrovert?
How do they cope with stress or adversity?
What are their relationships like?
What is their background and upbringing?
What are their biggest regrets or failures?
What are their dreams or aspirations?
How do they handle success?
What are their moral boundaries?
Do they have any mental illness? If so, how does it impact their life?
Social
Where did they grow up? What’s their nationality or ethnicity?
What is their family background? Do they have family members, and if so, what is their relationship with them? Who played a significant role in raising them?
Who are their friends? Do they have any best friends?
Do they have a lover? What’s their view on relationships?
What do they do for a living?
What is their social status?
How do they interact with others?
What is their role in their social group? (This can provide insights into their leadership qualities, adaptability, or tendency to follow others.)
What is their reputation among their peers? (This can impact their relationships and how they are treated by others.)
How do they handle conflicts with others?
What is their attitude towards authority?
How do they express their cultural background?
What is their relationship with their community? (This can show their sense of belonging and how they contribute to the society they live in.)
How do they navigate social expectations? (This can reveal their adaptability, resilience, and ability to fit in or stand out.)
Are they famous? How does their fame, or lack thereof, affect them psychologically?
Physical
What is their physical appearance? How does their physical appearance affect them mentally? How does it impact their life?
How do they take care of their physical appearance?
How do they dress?
What is their posture and body language like?
Do they have any physical disabilities or limitations?
What is their health like?
How do they move?
Do they have any physical habits or quirks?
How do they react to physical challenges or threats?
What is their physical environment like?
Do they have any physical talents?
Feel free to revisit this chapter whenever you need guidance in crafting memorable characters! Keep in mind that characters are central to your story, so invest the time and effort needed to develop them thoroughly and with care.
