Writing memorable characters in your story makes readers identify with and root for them. It makes readers want to go on reading in order to find out if the characters have achieved their goals. Here are ten ways to endear your characters to your readers. The link at the end is an Amazon affiliate link.
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Write unique characters
Your characters should have several unusual traits. Let’s face it, normal people are boring. Well, maybe not in person, but they sure aren’t fascinating characters in a book.
Examples Does your character like to compare humans’ behavior to animals’ behavior? Is he/she a loner? Obsessed with statistics?
Contradiction
A brave person who’s scared to death of cockroaches, a scientist who dismisses anything that can’t be explained in a realistic manner, but he still quickens his step when walking in the cemetery at night and looks over his shoulder, and not because he’s scared of criminals, at least not live ones.
Vulnerability and strength
Your hero/heroin should be brave, determined, strong. We all like to root for winners, nor whiners.
However, vulnerability can make the readers sympathize and root for the hero as well. How about combining the two?
Examples A short, skinny girl learning martial arts and excelling in it. A man who’d been attacked viciously by dogs in the past, who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder and is terrified of dogs, yet he overcomes his fear when walking in the woods that are plagued by wolves. Or people with physical or mental disabilities but plenty of courage.
Many personality traits
A person with one personality traits is boring and unreal. It’s not enough that the hero/heroin is generous. He can be impatient, brave, shy, adventurous, sense of humor, short temper, old fashioned, loves animals, nature, and old books, always late, etc.
Make the characters show their personality traits every chance you get. It’s easier to type their traits into your document. Then, with every scene, you think which personality trait could fit there.
Nice characters
In order to Write Likeable Characters, you should create characters with positive traits. Is your character kind, brave, intelligent, with a sense of humor, responsible, hardworking, sensitive, altruistic, family oriented?
Does he/she have a special gift, like being a good judge of character, special knowledge about something like nature or music, or a way to communicate with animals?
Imperfect characters
You want to write likeable characters, but nobody identifies with perfect people. They’re also not realistic. Give your hero a few imperfections. Just make sure these are minor imperfections, not the kind that will make your readers dislike the hero.
Speech
In order to Write Unique Characters, you should give them a special speech pattern.
Examples A character can speak in a military style, talk like a cop, use clichés, or keep saying the words, ‘You know,’ or ‘Like’. “It was, like, raining real hard.” “I thought I’d help out a bit, you know.”
Some people like to end sentences with a question. “You can’t walk that far, can you?” “You don’t like your new neighbor, do you?” Some talk like gangsters or use slang. Some like to talk like professors.
Clothes and body language
In order to write likeable characters, the characters have to appear real. The readers should be able to imagine them. What clothes do they wear? What do they like to eat? How do they walk and smell?
Examples Your character can have a light step, walk on his toes, or walk briskly. Or maybe take large steps while putting the weight of his body on each step.
What does your character smell like? Soap, perfume, cats? Does he like spicy foods, expensive foods, rice and beans?
And there’s the body language. Does your hero like to run his hand through his hair, bite his nails, rub his chin, slam a fist into an open palm?
Childhood, neighborhood, and relationships
In order to write characters that sound real, show your readers how the hero’s childhood was. Was it traumatic, dangerous, unusual in some way? Was he abused? Was he an only child, spoiled, lonely, popular in school?
Is his neighborhood a rich neighborhood, poor, urban, small town, country, large city? Do people not bother to lock their doors at night? Are most people artists, college students, yuppies, gangsters?
What is his relationship with his spouse, kids, parents, siblings? What kind of people are his friends? Are they troublemakers, churchgoers, businessmen, worldly, or old fashion? Do they joke a lot, help their friends out, or stab each other in the back?
Give your hero a goal in life
The story is about what the hero wants, the obstacles in his way, and how he overcomes them. To save a sick pet when he has no money, to save his relationship, his career, to escape poverty.
You can find more information in this book: ‘Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way To Success.’ It provides tons of valuable information on plot ideas, writing characters, and structuring scenes. It’s a must-have book for struggling writers. Click to view.
