Easier said than done, right? Maybe so. But there are a few things you can do to help yourself create characters who pop off the page and feel genuine.
Get to know your characters.
Sometimes characters will surprise us on the page, but we usually start out with an idea of who they are (or who we want them to be). Think about their background, how they would react in different situations, and know their views of themselves and the world
Ask: What are their beliefs? Their Morals? What keeps them getting out of bed each day? If they met a wolf, would they run or fight? Would they stop to rescue a kitten in the road?
Know who they are.
Use personality quizzes, identity charts, or character profiles if you need help.
Give your characters layers and build complexity.
In other words: let them be human. No one is one thing all the time. In fact, we often contradict ourselves. Heroes have flaws; villains have probably had a moment of joy; the tough guy may really be a big softy; the funny girl has moments of seriousness.
…But tiptoe around stereotypes.
We’ve all read the badass woman who can take care of herself, the kid who is smarter than every adult around them, the angry guy who just needs to be loved. When characters are too predictable, we can usually assume the story is predictable, too. Don’t just stick your character in a mold and be done with it—surprise your reader with your own spin.
Let them grow.
Characters who are already their ideal selves don’t make for an interesting read. Even if their story is to save the world, we want to see them undergoing some changes as they do it.
Let them interact.
How characters engage with one another (and the world around them) can reveal a lot about who they are. Are they nice to their coworkers? The barista? If they’re alone in the woods, how do they treat the animals they come across? The nature around them?
Read your dialogue out loud.
Does your character’s language match their age? Their personality? How is the tone? If you’re writing a 15-year-old who sounds like they’re 80, then that’s a great place to begin revising for authenticity.
Hire sensitivity readers.
This is especially important if you’re writing about characters who differ from you significantly—whether it comes down to race, culture, orientation, disabilities, mental heath, etc. If you don’t live that life, make sure that you are being authentic to those who do by hiring those who can provide feedback on those characters.
In conclusion . . .
By taking the time to get to know your characters inside and out—by not just seeing them, but hearing them, feeling with them, thinking with them—you set yourself up to create a richer story that your reader can connect with.
Do you have other tips for bringing authenticity to your characters? Share with your fellow writers!