by Marilla Mulwane

Created on: December 20, 2009   Last Updated: December 21, 2009

Besides the plot, the characters are the most important part of a story. In fact, it is the characters that carry the plot and make it even more interesting. The problem is how to create new characters for a book. It is hard to know how to create characters that the readers will love and that are believable.

-People watch-

The best way to create believable characters is to be a Peeping Tom. No, not literally. Whenever you are out and about, watch the people around you. In fact, just watching your family will work, too. Watch what they do, how they act. How do they react to situations? Go to a party and strike up conversations with everyone. People love to talk about themselves and even those that refuse to talk about themselves can provide great ideas. Everyone has little quirks that can make for interesting characters.

Take what you see and learn and use that when creating a new character. This way, the character will be more life-like, just like the people you meet every day. Many times, you will meet someone who is so unique and interesting that you have your new character right there.

-Research clichéd characters and try to stay away from them-

Sometimes, people watching does not work. A good example is when writing a fantasy novel. Heroic men with big swords are not wandering around downtown, although if you see one, I would suggest getting to know him (keep the pepper spray handy) and you have a character right there.

Another good way to create new characters is to learn from characters who have already been created. Read lots of books from the genre you are writing and get to know the characters. Figure out what is used again and again, and do not use those traits unless they are an integral part of the character. You want to create someone new, not someone everyone has read about a hundred times. This is not always possible, so the best thing is to mix common traits with brand new ones to create an original character that also fits the cliché.

-Practice with dialogue-

When you have an idea for a character, write out some dialogue with them. Keep the character traits in mind, their backstory you have thought up so far, and have them speak. Even if it is just a monologue, by working on a character's voice, you will get an idea if it works or not. Does the sound of their voice fit the ideas in your mind? Does it fit the story and what you want to accomplish? Or do they just sound stupid?

A character's voice is sometimes the most important thing about them, and it is what tells the reader the most about who they are. So, if the dialogue does not work with the ideas you have in mind, ditch those ideas, and start again.

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