The Art of Character

1. Characters are the heart of storytelling, driven by desire and conflict

Desire is the crucible that forges character because it intrinsically creates conflict.

Characters come alive through want. At the core of every compelling character is a deep-seated desire that drives their actions and decisions. This desire creates conflict, as the world is not designed to gratify our wants easily. The pursuit of desire forces characters to change, adapt, and dig deeper into themselves, revealing their true nature.

Conflict reveals character. When characters face obstacles in pursuing their desires, they are forced to make choices that define who they are. These moments of conflict and decision-making are what make characters feel real and relatable to readers. By putting your characters in challenging situations, you allow them to reveal their strengths, weaknesses, and hidden depths.

• Types of desire:
  • Outer goal (concrete objective)
  • Inner need (emotional or psychological craving)
• Sources of conflict:
  • External obstacles (other characters, society, nature)
  • Internal struggles (fear, doubt, moral dilemmas)

2. Develop characters through scenes, not static descriptions

We don't get to know someone new through a recitation of biological data; we get to know them through interacting with them—especially during emotional, unpredictable, or demanding times.

Show, don't tell. Instead of relying on static character descriptions or biographies, bring your characters to life through dynamic scenes. Scenes allow readers to experience the character's actions, reactions, and interactions firsthand, providing a more vivid and engaging portrayal.

Emotional moments reveal true character. Focus on creating scenes that put your characters in emotionally charged situations. These moments of high stakes and intense feelings are when characters reveal their true selves, making them more memorable and relatable to readers.

• Key scenes to develop:
  • Moments of fear, courage, and vulnerability
  • Instances of conflict and decision-making
  • Interactions with other characters that reveal relationships and motivations
• Elements to include in character-revealing scenes:
  • Dialog that showcases personality and voice
  • Actions and reactions that demonstrate values and beliefs
  • Internal thoughts and emotions that provide insight into the character's mindset

3. Utilize the five cornerstones of dramatic characterization

More than any of the other considerations addressed in this book, these five concerns are key to any compelling character.

The five cornerstones provide a foundation. To create truly engaging characters, focus on developing these five key aspects:

1. Desire: What does the character want or need?
2. Conflict: What stands in the way of achieving their desire?
3. Vulnerability: What are the character's weaknesses or fears?
4. Secrets: What does the character hide from others or themselves?
5. Contradictions: What opposing traits or beliefs does the character possess?

Balance and depth through cornerstones. By addressing each of these elements, you create a multi-dimensional character that feels real and complex. The interplay between these aspects generates internal and external conflict, driving the story forward and keeping readers engaged.

• Examples of how cornerstones interact:
  • A character's desire may conflict with their vulnerabilities
  • Secrets can create contradictions in a character's behavior
  • Vulnerabilities may stem from past conflicts or hidden desires

4. Create complex characters with contradictions and vulnerabilities

Contradictions instinctively arouse our curiosity—we can't help ourselves—and they therefore, in characterization, provide a useful tool above and beyond considerations of verisimilitude or inventiveness.

Embrace human complexity. Real people are full of contradictions, and your characters should be too. These internal conflicts and opposing traits make characters feel more authentic and interesting. Contradictions can be physical, dispositional, or behavioral, adding depth and nuance to your characterization.

Vulnerability creates connection. When characters show their weaknesses, fears, or imperfections, readers are more likely to empathize with them. Vulnerability humanizes characters and makes them relatable, even when they're not entirely likable. It also creates opportunities for growth and transformation throughout the story.

• Types of contradictions:
  • Physical (e.g., a tough guy with a high-pitched voice)
  • Dispositional (e.g., an outgoing person who's secretly shy)
  • Behavioral (e.g., a kind person who sometimes acts cruelly)
• Ways to show vulnerability:
  • Physical limitations or illness
  • Emotional wounds or past traumas
  • Fears and insecurities
  • Moments of helplessness or uncertainty

5. Craft a compelling protagonist and meaningful opponents

Since the protagonist is measured by the conflict he overcomes, an ambivalent, facile, cartoonish, or otherwise unconvincing opponent can only diminish whatever success the hero achieves.

Create a protagonist with depth. Your main character should have clear desires, relatable vulnerabilities, and the capacity for growth. They should face both external and internal conflicts that challenge them throughout the story. Avoid making your protagonist too perfect or static; instead, give them flaws and room for development.

Develop worthy opponents. The antagonist or opposing force should be as well-developed as the protagonist. Give them compelling motivations, justifications for their actions, and their own vulnerabilities. The more formidable and complex the opponent, the more satisfying the conflict and resolution will be.

• Key elements of a strong protagonist:
  • Clear desires and goals
  • Internal and external conflicts
  • Capacity for growth and change
  • Relatable flaws and vulnerabilities
• Characteristics of compelling opponents:
  • Well-justified motivations
  • Complex personalities with their own vulnerabilities
  • Ability to challenge the protagonist on multiple levels

6. Employ secondary characters to enhance the story's depth

Secondary characters are part of a long dramatic tradition, and thus create reader and audience expectations. The more you can see them in their unique individuality, the better you will be able to improvise upon, undermine, or even betray those expectations, and thus create surprise.

Secondary characters serve multiple purposes. They can reveal different aspects of the protagonist, provide contrast or support, and add depth to the story world. By giving each secondary character a unique personality and role, you create a richer, more believable narrative.

Avoid stereotypes and clichés. While secondary characters may fulfill certain narrative functions, strive to make them feel like real individuals rather than stock characters. Give them their own desires, conflicts, and quirks to make them memorable and meaningful to the story.

• Types of secondary characters:
  • The Ghost (character from the past who influences the present)
  • The Revenant (character who forces the protagonist to confront issues)
  • The Crucial Ally (character who supports the protagonist)
  • The Counterweight (character who opposes or complicates the protagonist's journey)
• Ways to develop secondary characters:
  • Give them distinct voices and personalities
  • Provide backstories that inform their actions
  • Create subplots that showcase their own desires and conflicts

7. Master point of view and voice to bring your story to life

Choosing the Point of View: Three Key Questions

1. Why is this story being told?
2. Who has the authority to tell it?
3. How should it be told?

Choose the right point of view. The perspective from which you tell your story greatly impacts how readers experience it. Consider the advantages and limitations of first-person, third-person, and omniscient narration. Each point of view offers different opportunities for creating intimacy, maintaining suspense, and revealing information.

Develop a distinctive voice. Your authorial voice is the unique combination of your style, worldview, and attitude that comes through in your writing. It's what makes your work recognizably yours. Cultivate your voice by reading widely, practicing consistently, and being true to your own perspective and experiences.

• Factors to consider when choosing point of view:
  • Desired level of intimacy with characters
  • Amount of information you want to reveal or conceal
  • Scope of the story (intimate vs. sweeping)
• Techniques for developing voice:
  • Read and study authors you admire
  • Practice writing in different styles and voices
  • Pay attention to rhythm, diction, and tone in your writing
  • Write consistently to find and refine your unique voice

Last updated: November 19, 2024