If you ask your readers, they will undoubtedly agree that original characters are what makes for a great story. When characters are complex and realistic, it helps readers connect with the plot. Also, multi-dimensional characters with growth arcs make readers care about what happens to them, resulting in a real page-turner. Depth in characters not only makes the story more engaging but also makes it memorable even after finishing the book.
Now let’s go over the 7 tips you need to write deep characters with great examples from popular fiction!
1. Give your Character Motivation, Desires, and Goals
Tip number one is that you have to understand your character’s inner drive, what they long for, and what they aim to achieve. Their goals can stem from various sources. Some may be from their beliefs, some from past experiences, or even their essential needs. By uncovering their deepest desires and fears, you can observe how they respond in different circumstances. Once you grasp what drives them, it provides a strong foundation for their journey and makes their choices more understandable and relatable.
Example:
Frodo Baggins is motivated by his love for the Shire and its people. This strong desire to protect his home leads him on a dangerous journey to destroy the One Ring. His goal to destroy the Ring comes from this motivation, making his quest both personal and epic. The stakes are not just about the fate of Middle-earth, but also about preserving the innocence and peace of the Shire. This clear purpose guides his actions and sacrifices, creating a compelling and relatable character.
2. Give Your Characters a Secret
Secrets not only make the story more exciting but also the character that holds it. When a character keeps a secret, it affects almost every aspect of them: how they act, think, and what choices they make. These same secrets can show a character’s weaknesses, and bring out their inner struggles and we already know that the relatability of a character comes from their flaws and weaknesses. And of course, those surprising turns to the plot usually come from a secret being revealed in one way or the other.
Example:
Severus Snape‘s love for Lily Potter is a secret that completely changes how readers see him. This makes Snape’s actions more complicated and interesting. He’s not just mean to Harry for no reason – he’s trying to protect him while dealing with his own feelings. Snape’s love for Lily also affects his choices and who he decides to support. When we find out about Snape’s secret, it changes everything. He goes from being a bad guy to a tragic hero. This is where you can easily tell how big of an impact secrets have on characters and readers. His love and sacrifices actually get him from a villain to one of the most beloved characters written by J.K. Rowling.
3. Go Beyond Archetypes
When you begin with a well-known character type, it gives you a good base. But when you mix in special qualities and quirks, your character becomes really unique. By combining traditional roles with unique features, you make characters that are complex and different. This is a great way to make sure your characters are consistent, but also not predictable.
Example:
Katniss Everdeen from “Hunger Games” starts off as the classic reluctant hero. (She didn’t choose to be one, but circumstances forced her into that role.) However, what sets Katniss apart is how she rises above this stereotype. In addition to her courage, she also shows a caring side through her love for her sister Prim and her protective nature towards Rue. She isn’t just a hero fighting against injustice, but also a young woman coping with PTSD and moral dilemmas regarding the rebellion.
4. Balance Strengths and Flaws
In order to make characters seem real and easy to relate to, it’s important to give them both good qualities and big weaknesses. This combo makes them more interesting and lifelike, so readers can connect with them and get why they act the way they do. Characters who are too perfect can be hard to believe, but ones with a mix of good and bad traits feel more genuine. The best way to note down all of the character traits is to create your character’s profile. When you put all of the traits on the table, you’ll easily be able to strike the balance.
Example:
Sherlock Holmes is a super popular character known for his amazing detective skills. However, he also has a big list of flaws to “compensate” for being a genius. Despite having sharp observational skills, he can be socially awkward, dismissive of others, struggles with forming emotional connections, comes off as arrogant and insensitive, often taking risks, turns to substance abuse, and the list goes on. Holmes is a super smart guy, but he’s not perfect. That’s what makes him so interesting! He’s really good at solving mysteries, but he also has some flaws that make him more human and therefore relatable.
5. Show Character Growth
Characters need to change and grow as the story progresses and this growth can happen in different ways. Emotionally, mentally, morally, or even physically – it’s important for these changes to happen naturally in the story, so readers can believe in them. Characters should start in one place, face challenges that make them question their beliefs or skills, and slowly change because of it.
This process involves inner struggles. The character deals with their flaws or misunderstandings. When this conflict is resolved, it shows a big moment in their growth.
Character development can also be illustrated through relationships. Talking to other characters can spark change. Characters such as mentors, friends, romantic interests, or even foes offer different viewpoints and emotional meetings that push growth. . These relationships can greatly shape the character’s path. Another way to show growth is through the character’s actions and decisions. As characters progress, their choices should mirror their new insights or skills. Your readers should be able to follow the character’s growth by observing how they respond to various situations.
Example:
Elizabeth Bennet changes a lot in “Pride and Prejudice.” At first, she judges people too quickly. She doesn’t like Mr. Darcy because he seems distant and Mr. Wickham says bad things about him.
As the story goes on, Elizabeth learns more about Mr. Darcy – Visiting Pemberley and hearing Darcy’s side of the story makes her rethink her opinions. She realizes she has biases and starts to be more open-minded. Elizabeth’s journey from prejudice to understanding is a key part of her story. By the end, she’s more aware of herself and others. Her relationship changes showing how much she’s grown. Elizabeth’s transformation shows how important character development is in stories. Her changes make her someone readers can relate to.
6. Use Internal and External Conflicts
By intertwining inner battles with external obstacles, the character’s journey becomes more intricate and intense. This layered approach ensures that characters not only face external factors but also confront their inner struggles, resulting in richer stories.
Inner Conflict: Inner turmoil includes the character’s emotions, desires, fears, and ethical dilemmas. These internal conflicts are personal and often kept hidden, yet they greatly influence the character’s choices and actions. By paying attention to internal conflicts, we gain insight into the character’s vulnerabilities and potential for growth.
External Obstacles: On the flip side, external obstacles involve issues presented by the surroundings, other characters, or societal norms. These are the visible challenges that the character must surpass to reach their goals. External conflicts push the narrative forward and present concrete barriers that test the character.
Example:
Harry Potter’s inner turmoil and outer challenges beautifully showcase the complexity of his journey. Internally, he grapples with his sense of self, the burden of being “the chosen one,” the grief of losing his parents, the fear of turning into Voldemort and so much more. These internal conflicts shape his character, impacting his choices and behaviors throughout the series.
On the other hand, externally, Harry is constantly under the threat of Voldemort and his supporters. This external struggle is a key driver of the storyline, presenting various physical and ethical dilemmas. Harry must face and conquer them and he’ll always do it according to his inner self. The interaction between Harry’s internal and external conflicts adds depth to his development. His internal battle with identity shapes how he handles external dangers, creating a rich character evolution.
7. Show, don’t tell
Revealing character traits through actions, dialogue, and decisions rather than exposition is a powerful technique. The “Show, don’t tell” approach allows readers to truly understand the character and follow their motivations, and transformations naturally. When you show, you allow readers to witness the characters’ traits and emotions. For example, instead of stating that a character is conflicted, you depict their indecision and internal struggle. This method respects the intelligence of the reader, enabling them to draw their own conclusions. And the result? Readers who are more invested in the characters.
Example:
Jay Gatsby in “The Great Gatsby” is a prime example of Fitzgerald’s use of “show, don’t tell” technique. Instead of simply stating Gatsby’s obsession with wealth and Daisy, Fitzgerald portrays it through Gatsby’s actions and lifestyle, such as his extravagant parties. Throughout Gatsby’s conversations, there is always a hint of his obsession with the past.
Conclusion
Crafting engaging stories requires original characters with depth and you can develop such a character easily, by following the tips above. By defining their motivations, giving them secrets, and avoiding stereotypes, you pave the way for rich character development. Balancing strengths with flaws, showing growth, and incorporating conflicts adds complexity to their personalities. Remember to reveal character traits through actions, dialogue, and decisions to make your characters come alive and resonate with readers.
By Ana Obradović
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