The secret that will unlock the power. The power every writer dreams of. The power to create memorable characters! How did I come across this secret and why have I, a mere mortal, been chosen to guard this (somewhat) dangerous information?
All right. Fine.
The truth is there is no exact formula for creating awesomesauce characters. Your English teacher lies. There is a basic structure:
- Name
- Disposition
- Religious/ethical beliefs
- Political (or lack of) viewpoint
- Hobbies
- Mannerisms (Weird or common)
- Likes/dislikes
- Fears
- Desires/ Hopes
- Ambitions (short and long-term)
But the simple fact of the matter is that you could play everything by the book and still end up with a yawn-worthy character (or several). I've seen it happen. I've even experienced it with my own characters. Following the formula is only the beginning. After you've followed the rules, you must ask yourself four questions.
Protagonist Set
Question # 1: Is my character endearing?
There is nothing worse (except a slow and painful death and possibly world hunger) than reading a book that centers around a character you can't stand. For the longest, The Princess Diaries was my favorite movie. When I found out the movie was based on a book, I was savagely excited. Foaming at the mouth, I dragged my mother out to our local Barnes and Noble and bought the book. Whiny, unreasonable, and willfully idiotic, the Mia I found in the book was not the girl I had grown to love. My point? You could have the most epic plot of all time, but if your readers hate the characters, it doesn't really matter.
Not Endearing:
- Perfection
- Whiny Attitude
- Too much angst/self-pity
- Characters who step on puppies
Question # 2: Is my character complex?
Two dimensional characters suck. Harsh, but true. Sorry Bella.
Two dimensional characters are shallow and single-minded. They tend to carry out certain plot points for an author, rather than representing a human being. Sometimes, there's more to a character than antagonizing the protagonist. (See below: Question # 2- Antagonist Set)
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="329" caption="Look at the fire. Look at it."]
[/caption]Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender (NOT THE MOVIE), for example, seems to be very two-dimensional at first. Honor, honor, honor, I must restore my honor! Avatar, avatar, avatar, capturing the Avatar will restore my honor! But as we take a deeper look, we find a normal teenager whose misguided attempts to capture the avatar were in hopes of gaining his father's love and approval. He grows. He learns. He hopes. He dreams. He smolders, too.
Question #3: Is my Character "Basically Good"?
I would just like to clarify that this concept DOES NOT apply to real life. As humans we're all wicked (there aren't "levels" of wickedness. Evil is evil.) and only we can only achieve any form of "good" through God's grace.
However, in a fictional world, this concept does apply. When you choose your character's flaws, they can't be monstrous. Like, if your character murders hobos when she's angry. This would be a terrible flaw and no one would want to read about a character like that.
But if your character has a temper issue this is fine. She might occasionally say things she doesn't mean and have a hard time apologizing. This is an acceptable flaw.
In a similar vein, don't make your character so flawed, that they have no redeeming qualities. I'm talking to you, Emily Bronte. Abusive characters are NOT romantic.
Question #4: Do My Character's Actions Make Sense?
In real life, people do stuff that makes no sense for no reason all the time. In real life, we question these people, but ultimately accept the fact that most people are mentally ill and move on with our lives.
In fiction, even if you're depicting real life, this is not acceptable. You will be mobbed by angry leprechauns and they'll steal all your lucky charms. Then what will you eat for breakfast?
Behind every action, there must be a motive, a reason, a hope. Something. Everything your character does must be in agreement with who your character is. Even when your character decides to surprise us, this surprise action must ultimately be in character.
Confusing? Welcome to the world of fiction.
Antagonist Set
Question #1: Is my Antagonist effective?
If your villain is meant to be hardcore, don't have him make cheesy jokes, eat jelly beans, or laugh evilly. If you want your villain to be taken seriously write him seriously.
If you don't know what that looks like, read books with laughable villains and with villains that haunt you even when you're awake. You'll begin to see the difference.
In the Harry Potter movies, for example, I always find myself laughing at Voldie. My thoughts are always along the lines of:
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="355" caption="Ewww"]
[/caption]Voldemort, lay off the Botox. It ain't helping.
Does he ever cut his nails? Why are they pointy like that?
Are those two holes above his mouth supposed to be his nose?
It's called a dentist. Don't they have those in the Wizard world?
Voldemort isn't a particularly terrible villain, but he just doesn't strike fear into my heart. When I think Voldemort, I think meh. Count Dracula or Drake Merwin, on the other hand...
Shudder.
Question #2: Is my Antagonist complex?
Villains who antagonize characters for the simple reason that the Author needed something to add suspense to the story are boring. They tend to be--dare I say it?-- flat. Blah. Ick.
In the Joker's words,"Gotham deserves a better class of criminal!"
Give your antagonist a history. Why is he a demented psychopath? You don't necessarily have to reveal the details, but keeping the history in mind as you develop your villain, certainly gives him more grit.
Question #3: Does my Villain fall into Classic Clichés ?
If your villain...
has an evil laugh
eats children
has an evil pet (snakes, tigers, unicorns etc.)
has an obscenely large ego
gloats
is stupid
lets jealousy of the protagonist blind him
underestimates the protagonist
is the evil twin of the protagonist
shoves puppies into ditches
finally catches the protagonist then takes SO long to kill him he dies of natural causes and/or gets away
is afraid of light
keeps his heart in a (unlocked) box on some "secret" island that everyone knows about
...then you should just start over.
Question #4: Is my Villain too easy to defeat?
Without struggle... people will be bored.
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Creating memorable characters is no easy task, but with a little love and a LOT of time, patience, and dedication it can be done. Just a tip: some of the best characters are based off real people.
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