Welcome to the mesmerizing world of character creation, where we'll concoct a potent brew of unforgettable personas that will morph your narratives from "Hmm, that's interesting" to "Holy smokes, I can't put this down!"
1. The Secret Life of Characters 🕵️♀️💼
Just like we have hidden facets and clandestine dreams, our characters too should harbor secret selves. Think about Sherlock Holmes, the master detective who retreats to his violin during intense moments of thought, or Dorian Gray, the seemingly innocent man with a portrait hiding his vile deeds. These hidden layers add depth and dimension to your characters, making them more relatable and intriguing.
▶︎ Where to start?
Start by asking questions like, "What is my character's deepest fear?" or "What secret dream does my character harbor?" Answering these questions will lead you down fascinating paths and open up new dimensions in your characters.
2. Embrace the Oddballs 👽🥰
Remember Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter with her radish earrings and belief in Nargles? Or Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean with his eccentric antics and unpredictable behavior? These wonderfully peculiar characters defy norms and infuse your story with color and quirkiness.
▶︎ Where to start?
To create such characters, dare to break the mold. Ask yourself, "What's the weirdest thing my character believes in?" or "What strange habits could my character have?" Don't shy away from letting your imagination run wild!
3. Chasing Moonbeams 🌛
Every character needs a moonbeam to chase—a goal that ignites their passion and guides them through their journey. Frodo Baggins' quest to destroy the One Ring in Lord of the Rings, or Jay Gatsby's relentless pursuit of Daisy in The Great Gatsby, are examples of such goals.
▷ Where to start?
To find your character's moonbeam, ask yourself, "What is my character's greatest desire?" or "What would my character sacrifice everything for?" These goals should be personal, intense, and worth every step they take.
4. A Symphony Of Flaws 🎶
Perfection can be a flat note in the symphony of character creation, while flaws make for a beautiful melody. Consider Mr. Darcy's pride in Pride and Prejudice, or Hamlet's indecisiveness in Shakespeare's Hamlet. These imperfections make them human, relatable, and lovable.
▷ Where to start?
By asking yourself, "What is my character's biggest weakness?" or "What flaw does my character struggle with the most?" Remember, these flaws should be integral to their character arc and influence their decisions and actions.
5. The Dance Of Subtlety 💃
Character revelation is a delicate dance between showing and telling. Instead of saying "He was nervous," show us his sweaty palms, his darting eyes, the way his voice trembles. Show us their actions, reactions, habits, dialogues.
▷ Where to start?
To master this dance, practice the art of "show, don't tell." Instead of telling us your character is brave, show us a scene where they stand up to a bully. Instead of telling us your character is kind, show us a scene where they help a stranger.
6. Metamorphosis Magic 🐛
Characters should evolve like butterflies—starting as caterpillars and transforming into something beautiful and unexpected. Elizabeth Bennet's transformation in Pride and Prejudice from a prejudiced young woman to a loving partner is a classic example.
▷ Where to start?
To create this magic, map out your character's journey of growth. Ask yourself, "How does my character change throughout the story?" or "What lessons do they learn?" This metamorphosis will not only add depth to your characters but also give your readers a journey they can cheer for.
So there you have it, fellow word wizards! Some secret ingredients to crafting compelling characters. Now grab your pens (or wands...or keyboards) and let the magic flow! 🖋️✨
Now my mic goes to you! 🎤
Name one character who was memorable to you and try to explain WHY you think that particular one still lingers in your memory.
Fancy a peek behind the curtain? I've got you covered! On my Instagram, you'll find additional writing tips and tricks, along with a backstage pass to my writing process.
Ever wondered how a story unfolds from the first spark of an idea to the final full-stop? Join me as I try to pull back the veil on the magical journey of storytelling. From the initial brainstorming sessions to late-night typing marathons, you'll get an insider's view of how my books come to life.
So, if you feel like joining our community of story lovers, hop on over to my Instagram @EmeraldGoldWrites. Can't wait to see you there AND/OR get to know you here! Sending you all virtual hugs! 🤗