As writers of fiction, we want to engage readers in the stories we write.

We want our stories to be engaging, compelling and memorable.

So how do we do that?

I’ve discovered in my own journey as a romance writer, that as fiction writers you capture your reader’s interest emotionally by creating compelling characters.

The real difference is between creating flat characters or 3D characters that pull readers into the story.

Readers need to engage with your characters. Readers need to resonate with your characters emotional journey. Readers need to find your characters relatable.

If you’re curious about how to do that, keep reading…

How to Create Characters that Readers Want to Know More About…

When I first started writing, my characters weren’t very interesting. Readers couldn’t relate to them and so my first characters that I created weren’t very memorable.

It wasn’t until I had written my third novel that I started to understand the need to create characters that were more relatable for readers.

Below I share a few ways that I create compelling characters that resonate with readers.

1.Dig Deep to Understand Your Character’s Flaws.

Discovering your primary character’s flaws is Key if you want to draw readers into your story. Much like in real life, we see flaws in people. Discovering that someone smokes too much, swears like a sailor or is a workaholic – these are the flaws that makes people real.

It’s these details you want to discover about your main characters as well as their best friends in your story. Some examples of character flaws are: emotionally distant; untrusting(of what?); workaholic; experiences anxiety when complications arise to make it difficult to fulfill his obligations; keeping himself so busy he doesn’t have time to think of past pain or trauma, etc.

The flaws – problems – in your characters is what will make readers relate to them. They will be curious to see how your characters will overcome and work through all those flaws – and especially with the romantic interest(if you’re writing romance) in your story.

The above list is what I have written down on a 5 x 8 Index Card for my Hero in the current romance I’m writing. I’ve found it really helpful to write down details like: character description; flaws; likable traits, mannerisms, etc. When I write down these details on  index card – and I do that for each main characters and for their BFFs – then it’s easy to keep those details handy as a write.

2.Discover Your Character’s Likable Traits.

It’s helpful to understand those traits that make your character likable. This is really important. In order for readers to keep reading(I find this to be true in commercial fiction), they need to find something that they like about your main characters.

Readers want to feel emotionally connected to your Hero and/or Heroine. It’s important that at some point that readers feel empathy and are sympathetic to main characters. It’s like an invisible cord that pulls on your reader’s heartstrings and compels them to keep reading your book.

Some examples of likable traits for characters: appreciative, truthful, kind and compassionate, protects those he loves; puts others needs before his own if it’s for the greater good; loyal; sacrifices to make sure he meets his responsibilities to keep his word; takes the lead in situations, etc.

The above list again is what I’ve written down for my Hero. For my Heroine, some of her traits are quite different than my Hero’s. This is good, because it can help to create conflict between them.

3.Write Down Your Character’s Habits and Mannerisms.

Part of what creates conflict in your story, is annoying habits. It’s similar to people we see in real life. If someone shakes their head or grabs the bridge of their nose and sighs heavily when they are annoyed with you, you notice.

All of your characters need habits, because readers relate to that. Also, habits and mannerisms really help readers to connect to your characters.

Some examples of habits for characters are: addicted to coffee; twirls their long hair when they’re nervous; chain smoker; painting fingernails with whiteout; addicted to drugs or alcohol; scrolling through their phones at the dinner table; running a hand through their hair when trying to solve a difficult problem; people who have nails, lipstick, purses, shoes, clothing always very neat and glamorous; nailbiter; chewing gum constantly; talks quietly, etc.

These habits and mannerisms will create dynamics between your characters where they will react in different ways. For instance, one character will be annoyed if the other character is always scrolling through their phone when they are trying to talk to them.

Flawed and Real characters will draw readers to your books and compel them to keep reading.

I encourage you to begin by writing down on an index card your character’s descriptions, flaws, likable traits and habits/mannerisms. If you do this for each main character and their best friends and mentors, it will really help you write a story that readers won’t want to put down.

Enjoy digging deeper into your characters and writing story today 🙂

 

Question for you: What helps you to create real and relatable characters?  I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.