The Mighty Pen Writing Club discussion

We have threads about characters we love (or hate) and characterization, but how do you create the characters we all love? How do you know if you have a unique character, or if it's just a copy? Do you have any hints on how to make the characters more realistic?

I usually get inspiration of my characters from real-life people like my friends or family. I just change a little bit, so they are not exactly the same.

I think adding quirks to your characters can make them more realistic. What do they do when they're nervous? When they're happy? etc. I also think it's good to make sure they're not flawless. If anybody is perfect, like Edward kind of is in Twilight, than that makes them unbelievable.

Okay, this sounds weird, but there are a handful for characters that have been developed based on their clothes.
For example, my favorite character in my current novel-I somehow got the idea into my head of black. Black, smart pants. a smooth black shirt, and a black waist coat on a gangly man with black hair.
From there I started thinking more in depth, with his sly and cold personality, he is a criminal and con man from Switzerland, high class, most wanted etc etc.
That may sound weird, but many of my character are born through clothes.

That doesn't sound weird... :)

Two of my NaNo characters were kind of born that way. First demeanor, then style, then names, and now personality and backstory.

That's really cool! I usually get a role and build my character around it. I have a healer planned for my NaNo book, and her character was a lot easier to flesh out (in my head) once I decided she'd be a healer.
Oh, and I actually disagree that Edward's perfect. He's for sure got a temper and he's a bit arrogant.

Yet Stephenie Meyer thinks he's perfect. He's definitely a Mary-Sue character, in my opinion.

And yay, fellow insane NaNo-er. :)

Just throwing this out there: No boyfriend could be perfect if he "Could slip and crush your skull"
And rather that not be on the cards in a relationship.
But you know, thats just me!

Jess wrote: "That's really cool! I usually get a role and build my character around it. I have a healer planned for my NaNo book, and her character was a lot easier to flesh out (in my head) once I decided sh..."

Yes, I agree. :D

Yay! more Nano-ers!
One way to flesh out characters is to let the characters' actions speak for them. Instead of saying "James was an arrogant man" you could describe how he raised a supercilious eyebrow at his personal assistant who had dared to offer him a suggestion.

I have often wondered this myself and this is an element that overwehelms me (hence my writer's block that won't go away). How do I made my characters come alive and realistic? I don't know that many people. What kind of quirks do they have? what makes them stand out?

ya wat i do 2 make sure tht my characters r "rounded" is i make sure @ give them flaws.

First thing, I make my characters lovable to me. I'm the person who has to love my characters. I'm like Maggi as well, I give them flaws.

I strongly believe in putting realism into fiction. There's nothing super about my characters. My characters are mirrors, someone might seen themselves in my characters.

Another thing, I tend to write about characters that some people don't write about. Like right now, I'm writing a story - I'm not an author, just a writer that has been writing for 23 years, in a couple more months, it will be 24 years. Anyway, my hero (Cop) is bald. I haven't read a romance story where the hero was bald.

If a character is different that character can stand out. Not only is my character bald, his name is Cop.

I see what you mean. I noticed when reading books or stories that the author will give characters certain quirks and that also makes them more real and believable.

And yes, if I don't love my characters, then how can I expect my readers to like them?

ya a lot of my books actually started with just an idea for a good charater.

People have flaws. If your characters don't have any, no one will believe they're real.

ya! And isnt that sort of the point of being and author?

lol, Maggi. I would suppose so :).

I agree that the flaws and quirks make a character more real, I've also read books where it defines the character, making them one-sided. So I think it's a fine line to walk.

One dimensional characters in any direction are a bad thing. If a character isn't real - in the way that they have enough interesting human characteristics to make them life-like - then your audience won't connect with them. It doesn't matter how good your story is, if your audience can't connect with your characters, you're doomed.

i am in complete agreement with you there :)

Arch wrote: "First thing, I make my characters lovable to me. I'm the person who has to love my characters. I'm like Maggi as well, I give them flaws.

I strongly believe in putting realism into fiction. The..."

Your character is very interesting! I am also quite confused on making unique and interesting yet life-like characters. It's just so hard. I usually end up making common characters, like geek girl with long hair and glasses or something like that.

ayundabs wrote: "Your character is very interesting! I am also quite confused on making unique and interesting yet life-like characters. It's just so hard. I usually end up making common characters, like geek girl with long hair and glasses or something like that. "

Ayundabs, to me there's no such thing as common characters. They are unique in their own way. So what you have geek girls with long hair and glasses! That's your puppet, bring it on stage.

I write about nerds. I'm a nerd. Just because my hero can be tough and dangerous, it doesn't mean that he can't be a nerd.