10 Steps to Creating Characters

So you've decided to write a novel. You've got the story in your head, and you're ready to write. You've put your pen to paper and you get ready to introduce your characters.

Aaannnd your stuck.

Just who are you writing about? Do you even know? Writing the story is easy compared to creating characters who are not only believable, but relatable.

Here are 10 ways to do just that!

1. Create a character sheet.

This sheet is good for more than just one reason. It can help you build your character's personality, and it can also be used for a reference for physical attributes to help maintain consistency. It's a good place to write down all the basic characteristics of your character. (Keep an eye on my blog if you would like to have an example, I do plan to upload a character sheet I created for my own novels).

2. Don't over-analyze.

That can come later. Play around a little bit with the story and get a feel for the character to start with. If you create something you really like about the character, use the character sheet to document it. For the first draft of your story, just go with the flow for the most part. Your story will help build your character.

3. Write what you know.

It is always easier to write about things that you are familiar with. It's the same when you are creating your characters. Use your friends and family for reference material. This also makes it easier to overcome a hurdle when you stuck with what the character would do (ask you 'reference'). You can even use yourself as reference material. Of course this doesn't always work, but it can help you get started at least.

4. Don't make them perfect.

Go ahead, give them some flaws. Have them be afraid of spiders for apparently no reason. Have them have a nervous tick, or a stutter. If you make the character too perfect, your readers won't be able to relate with them, and therefore won't feel as connected with the story.

5. Over-analyze.

"Wait? What?! But you said..." Yeah, I know, I'm contradicting myself a bit, aren't I? And while the first few chapters you can toy around with your character, after you settle on how you want your character to be, you need to lock it in. I usually start to over-analyze around chapter 5 or so (depending on the length of your chapters). This is where you want to really get to know your character. What are his/her likes and dislikes? Favorite color? Favorite time of year? Do they like dogs or cats? Are they tall? Short? What flaws have you given them? Even if the information may never be revealed in the book, the more you know of your character, the more you'll be able to incorporate that knowledge into your story.

6. Create complimenting characters.

Your characters should compliment each other, regardless of their roles. Even the villain should compliment the hero. This can be a little tricky, but it is essential for any story! Think about the relationship between cats and dogs. Cats are aloof, solitary, and quiet creatures. Dogs are pack animals, friendly, and rather excitable creatures. And yet, dogs and cats can be seen as either best friends, or worst enemies. Try to create characters that can be seen in the same ways.

7. Create a character flow chart.

This chart can be used to show the relationship between the characters. While this is not the most important item on this list, it does help to have a visual of the relationships within your novel, especially if you have a lot of characters interacting with one another.

8. Find balance in minor characters.

There are characters that are necessary for the plot to continue, but are only revealed for a brief period of time, and may only show up once in the story. While they are important, if you focus too much on the character it may cause some confusion in the reader. Try not to place to much detail into these characters. Refrain from giving them a long and complicated back story, or describing their appearance to a T. However, don't forget that even though the characters only have a minor role in this story, they may be the star of their own story. It is the same with people in real life.

9. Make the character relatable to you.

This one is simple common sense, but it the character feels real to you, so too with he/she feel real to the reader. If you create a character that you don't feel comfortable with, it will show in your writing.

10. Remember, no one is the villain in their story.

The villain in one story may be the hero in another. No one believes themselves to be the bad guy, even if they know they're not a good person in general. You could walk up to anybody and ask them "Out of all the people in your life, including yourself, who would you consider to be the villain?" and I would guarantee that not one person would name themselves as the villain. When creating the antagonist of the story, it is important to remember that they are human too, and they may not see themselves as doing something that labels them as the bad guy. Just by remembering this will help create depth in your antagonist character, although there are certainly exceptions to the rule.

*Please keep in mind that this list is in no particular order of importance*