Creating Compelling Characters

How to create characters that last

Compelling Characters

Characters are the heart and soul of any great story. They're not just names on a page—they're individuals with their own personalities, histories, hopes, fears, and goals. When they're fully realized, they breathe life into your story and connect with readers on a deeper level. In this post, we'll explore how to develop characters that feel real and engaging, and how to balance Prominent and Peripheral characters without losing focus on your story.

Thinking of Characters as Fully-Realized Individuals

When developing characters, it’s important to think of each one as a real person. What drives them? What are their quirks? What past experiences shape their decisions? Readers connect with characters who feel like they could step off the page and exist in the real world, flaws and all.