Pro Writers Swear by these 9 Character Building Techniques

Introduction

This tutorial provides essential character-building techniques used by professional writers to create memorable and engaging characters. Whether you’re writing for novels, scripts, or any storytelling medium, these techniques can help you enhance character depth and relatability, making your stories more compelling.

Step 1: Laugh in the Face of Cannibals

• Concept: Characters should face extreme situations to reveal their true nature.
• Action: Put your characters in bizarre or humorous situations that challenge their morality or beliefs.
• Tip: Use humor to contrast serious themes, allowing for a deeper exploration of character reactions.

Step 2: Make Your Character Carry Something

• Concept: An object can symbolize a character's backstory or emotional state.
• Action: Decide on a physical item your character carries that reflects their personality or history (e.g., a locket, a weapon).
• Tip: Use this object to create opportunities for character development and plot advancement.

Step 3: Create Contradictory Characters

• Concept: Real people are complex and often contradictory; characters should be too.
• Action: Give your character conflicting traits or beliefs (e.g., a brave coward).
• Tip: Use these contradictions to create internal conflict and depth, making them more relatable.

Step 4: Introduce Characters with Purpose

• Concept: Every character should serve a specific role in the story.
• Action: When introducing new characters, consider the following:
  • Establish their relationship to the protagonist.
  • Highlight their main conflict or goal.
  • Provide a unique trait that makes them memorable.
• Tip: Keep introductions concise but impactful to maintain reader interest.

Step 5: Make Your Character Likable

• Concept: Readers are more engaged with characters they can root for.
• Action: Give your character redeeming qualities or relatable flaws.
• Tip: Show vulnerability through challenges they face, allowing readers to empathize.

Step 6: Give Your Character an Odd Habit

• Concept: Quirky traits make characters more interesting and memorable.
• Action: Assign an unusual habit or obsession (e.g., collecting stamps or speaking in riddles).
• Tip: Use these habits to reveal deeper aspects of their personality or to create humor.

Step 7: Widen the Perception Gap

• Concept: Create tension by allowing characters to perceive situations differently.
• Action: Have characters interpret events or motives in contrasting ways.
• Tip: Use this technique to develop plot twists and deepen interpersonal conflicts.

Step 8: Create Foils

• Concept: A foil character highlights the traits of another character through contrast.
• Action: Introduce a character with opposing traits to your protagonist (e.g., a loyal friend vs. a deceitful rival).
• Tip: Use foils to enhance themes and character development, showcasing different paths or decisions.

Step 9: Create a 3-Time Character

• Concept: Characters evolve over time, reflecting real-life growth.
• Action: Show your character in three distinct phases:
  • Their initial state.
  • A pivotal moment that changes them.
  • Their transformed state by the end of the story.
• Tip: Ensure each phase is clearly defined to make their journey relatable and impactful.

Conclusion

By applying these character-building techniques, you can create richer, more engaging characters that resonate with readers. Experiment with these strategies in your writing process, and remember to allow your characters to grow and evolve throughout your story. Happy writing!