Creating a Memorable Character

A book is not possible without characters. Stories are given purpose and meaning by their characters, bringing the reader through their struggles and triumphs. The characters are the conduit from which the reader experiences the story in a book. In order to have a successful novel the writer must have a wonderful cast of developed and plausible characters. The keys to writing successful characters and mastering the techniques of character development are: knowing everything about the characters as if they were a real person including traits and appearances, researching how the characters live and their situations, how the characters relates to the plot including rational decision making and the driving forces for the characters, and finally emotional growth of the characters, otherwise known as a character arcs. These aspects will help create characters the reader will never forget, keeping them alive forever.

When creating extraordinary characters, the first goal a writer wants to accomplish is knowing the individuals like they know their own self, including traits and descriptions. The writer needs to keep in mind that characters should be real people, not only to the writer but to the author as well. Many people are visual, and a good way to help the reader visualize characters is to describe them. Give the reader information such as, hair color, eye color, age, build and gender. This helps give the reader something which they can see and understand creating a deeper connection (How to Write). Another way which an author may describe characters is through their traits. Appearances and non physical traits should work together harmoniously to make well balanced characters. Traits may include their gait, habits and personality. ...

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... like to live in the middle ages,’ but the reality is that unless the writer is half a century old they probably don’t. Not knowing the crucial information for the time changes the perception of the characters for the readers. The same can be said about experiences. If a character is going skydiving and the writer’s never been it is helpful if the writer does something similar to the experience, tries the adventure, interviews others or reads about skydiving for research. An alternate example of something that may need more research is a job. The writer isn’t a pilot and consequently doesn’t know the first thing about being a pilot, they should read up on the profession or ask someone who is a a pilot. Understanding all this information allows the author to fully realize the characters. It becomes inevitable for the individuals to jump off the page (How to Write).