When it comes to matters related to writing, it’s often hard to explain how exactly to do it…or approach it…or replicate it every time. Take character creation for example. I’ve often been asked how I come up with interesting character ideas for stories. My impulse is to say “I don’t know—they just kind of happen.” And to tell you the truth, that’s often how it feels. (If you’ve been writing for any length of time, I’m sure you have had a character or two simply spring to life, name, backstory, swagger and all.)
But that isn’t very helpful when our goal is to approach writing as a process, one that includes a belief that writing skills and story concepts are things that we can learn, work at and get better at. And not only that, while intriguing characters sometimes simply spring to life, other times they are fuzzy, blurry figures that need creative coaxing and take time to develop.
I’ve written elsewhere about how working with young writers forced me to get to the core of why I do things the way I do. I needed to go into these workshops with something more to offer than “I don’t know—it just kind of happens!” when eager students asked me a question! Thinking deeply about the how and why of my own writing has served me well, because now I can share what I’ve observed with writers of all stripes. So…here are the most important things that I do to create interesting characters.
How to Grow Great Character Ideas for Stories
#1. Find a Piece of You
Can you empathize with your characters? Or if not (it may not always be possible) can you come to a place of understanding their behaviors? At least at some level, I think we create the most authentic characters when we have a connection to them. Even the villains. As you plan and as you write, try to understand what makes them tick, try to put yourself in their shoes for a bit.
This is not the same thing as agreeing with everything they do. Nor is it the same as only creating characters who are little copies of yourself. But the act of seeing, hearing and feeling the world from their point of view—even if only for the brief moments you are writing about them—will certainly help you to write with more authenticity.
#2. Use Webs
I love webs. I use them for all sorts of things when it comes to planning, dreaming and developing my writing. But I especially love using webs for creating characters. I put my character in a bubble in the middle of the page, and then I begin branching off anything I know about that imagined being, even if it’s not all that much at first. I try to let my mind touch on both external details (like hair color, place of birth, number of siblings) and inner world matters (hidden fears, pivotal moments, family secrets). It’s always amazing to me how adding a detail to the web leads to another…and another…and another. There’s something about the ideas branching off from that first bubble that allows me to create what feels like a real, organic being. Try it if you never have before!
Naturally, my main characters have the most developed webs. But it works for characters of any story stature.
#3. Let your characters speak for themselves.
Some of the most effective workshop exercises that I do involve getting writers to have their fledgling characters speak in their own voices. Once you have even a very tiny notion of who you want to write about, have them tell you a bit about themselves. It can be in the form of getting “your character” to write a short autobiography. You can also do a “Q and A” with your character, quizzing them with desert island questions and ethical dilemmas. Become your character as you take down their answers in their own voice in your notebook.
You can use this tactic whether or not you plan to write in the first person. What you’ll gain is a better understanding of who they are and what makes them tick. This is especially true if you really allow yourself to use their voice—their choice of language, slang, emotional outburst—as you craft your answers.
#4. Make It Matter
Sometimes of course we begin dreaming up a story premise before we know who will populate our story. We might even get pretty far down the road with the what, when, and where.
But notice that it’s not only “who” that’s missing from our set of Ws.
Who and why are very much connected!
So, if you find yourself with a great premise, and even have scenes coming to life, but you still need to create characters… ask why.
Why would someone engage in whatever adventure you have planned.
Why would it matter it to them?
Why would it challenge, change or transform them?
These why’s can help you to get closer to your who. Develop the character your story premise—your why—requires. Choose the character who is the perfect fit for your premise—or maybe the worst possible fit, and take us on a journey that lets us watch them grow!