How to Write an Engaging Character
By Mary Kole
Mary Kole is a former literary agent, freelance editor, writing teacher, author of Writing Irresistible Kidlit, and IP developer for major publishers, with over a decade in the publishing industry.
Creating a compelling character is one of the most critical aspects of writing a novel. Still, it's a daunting task, and writers often struggle with character development. A well-crafted protagonist can make or break a story, so it's crucial to invest the time and effort needed to create an engaging character that resonates with your target audience. I’m here to share my comprehensive and thoughtful guide on crafting an engaging character for a novel.
What is an Engaging Character?
An engaging character is one who resonates with readers, creating a strong connection with them early on in the story. Engaging characters have genuine personalities, aspirations (the objective and motivation), and flaws that make them relatable to readers. Writers must make their characters three-dimensional, showcasing their strengths, weaknesses, and quirks, bringing them to life on the page. In other words, readers should be invested in and care about the fate of the protagonist, as they will be the point of view through which audiences will view your story.
Ingredients of an Engaging Character
Creating a memorable and engaging protagonist takes a careful blend of several ingredients, including a goal, motivation, character need, and internal conflict. The character's goal is the driving force behind the story, making them into a proactive protagonist. It's what the protagonist is striving to achieve and provides the narrative's backbone, adding pacing and narrative drive. The motivation is what pushes the character to pursue their goal, and the conflict or story obstacle is what stands in their way. By combining these essential ingredients, writers create a believable character with a compelling backstory that keeps readers invested.
Executing an Engaging Character for Maximum Emotional Impact
To craft an engaging character, writers must dig deep to create a character that is believable and likable, though not without some quirks or negative aspects. One of the most effective ways to do this is by crafting a character that is flawed. Flaws make a character relatable because readers can identify with their own foibles and shortcomings. These flaws should also influence the character's actions. By examining how flaws affect their decision-making in a cause and effect pattern, writers can create a character that is both memorable and has an emotional impact on readers.
Character and Action Beats Expected of an Engaging Character
To make an engaging character come to life, writers must add a degree of nuance to each encounter they have with a secondary character or plot point. This starts with adding character beats to their story. Character beats are specific actions characters take to reveal their feelings or motivations, rendered using the tool of interiority. It includes everything from a character's body language to snippets of inner monologue. By adding these details, readers can understand the character's motivations, thoughts, and feelings in a scene.
Common Mistakes Writers Make with Their Characters
Aspiring writers often fall into common traps when crafting engaging characters. One of the most common mistakes writers make is creating a protagonist who is too perfect. Characters that are not flawed lack depth and are difficult for readers to connect with. Furthermore, writers must avoid writing characters that feel like carbon copies of each other. Characters should be unique, with their own distinct backgrounds, personality traits, flaws, and motivations. Finally, a passive protagonist can kill a perfectly good story idea, because they are not driving the action forward and merely reacting.
Crafting an engaging character is an essential stepping stone to writing a successful novel. Remember to create a protagonist that is three-dimensional and relatable to readers. Readers must be invested in the character, which starts with creating a character with a goal, motivation, and conflict. Dig deep to create a character that is flawed yet likable, and add nuance to each character encounter with character beats. Finally, avoid common mistakes, such as creating a perfect protagonist or carbon-copies of each other. With these tips in mind, you can craft engaging characters and write compelling stories that resonate with audiences.
Click here to purchase Writing Interiority: Crafting Irresistible Characters, my book on interiority and character creation. Explore your protagonist’s thoughts, feelings, reactions and interpretations, expectations, and inner struggles to create a rich, immersive experience. This guide will empower you to create characters who live and breathe on the page, fostering an unbreakable bond with your audience.