by Paul Lines

Created on: December 26, 2006   Last Updated: May 14, 2007

Dull characters will turn viewers away in their droves. Interesting and vibrant characters will have the opposite effect. It is therefore important for script or novel writers to create characters who will capture the imagination of the reader or viewer. How does one create an interesting character? Here are five important tips.

1) Give them a history. It is important for characters, as is the case with real life people, to have a history, which includes geographic locations, family, friend, and work. Without this the character will be too one dimensional to be believable. A history gives a character reason for why they are what they have become.

2) Experiences. Everyone has skills and experiences that they can use in given circumstances. Your characters need the same skill set to enable them to achieve the tasks that you are setting for them.

3) Relationships. Characters that you create must, like all of us, have been affected, good or bad, by the relationships that we have been involved with during our lives and it is important that your characters reflect this in their lives.

4) Psychological make-up. All aspects of characters make up need to be addressed in order to make them interesting. For example, are they going to be introvert or extrovert? Will they be patient or not; gentle natured or abrupt? Their psychological make-up is an integral part of who they are and how they react in a given circumstance.

5) Do not make them perfect. No one in this world is perfect and if you try to make your character this way, he or she will not be believable. It is important that your characters reflect human traits, which will include imperfections.

The creation of interesting characters will have a huge impact on the script that you produce. It is important therefore, that you give them a three dimensional life of their own.

Learn more about this author, Paul Lines.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.