Character Development: Creating Relatable Characters

What is Character Development?

Character development is the process of creating and evolving a character throughout a story. It involves crafting a character’s personality, motivations, and growth to make them feel real and relatable to the audience.

Why is Character Development Important?

Character development is crucial because it makes characters feel authentic and engaging. Without it, characters can fall flat, making it difficult for the audience to connect with the story.

• Definition of Character Development: It’s the art of building a character’s identity, including their traits, history, and evolution over time.
• Importance of Making Characters Feel Real: Realistic characters evoke empathy and emotional investment from the audience.
• Analogy of Building a House: Think of character development like constructing a house. The foundation is the character’s backstory, the walls are their personality and motivations, and the roof is their growth and transformation.

Sources: Creative Writing: A Guide and Glossary to Fiction Writing by Colin Bulman, The Art of Character by David Corbett

Why Are Relatable Characters Important?

Relatable characters are the heart of any compelling story. They create emotional connections with the audience, making the narrative more engaging and memorable.

• Role of Relatable Characters in Audience Engagement: Relatable characters allow readers or viewers to see themselves in the story, fostering a deeper connection.
• Examples of Beloved Characters:
• Harry Potter: A relatable underdog who grows into a hero.
• Elizabeth Bennet: A strong-willed and independent character from Pride and Prejudice.
• Spider-Man: A superhero who struggles with everyday problems.
• How Relatable Characters Reflect Real-Life Experiences: They mirror universal emotions, struggles, and triumphs, making them resonate with a wide audience.

Sources: The Anatomy of Story by John Truby, Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder

Key Elements of Relatable Characters

To create relatable characters, writers must focus on several key elements that make them feel human and believable.

• Backstory: A character’s history shapes their personality and actions. For example, a traumatic childhood might make a character cautious or distrustful.
• Motivations: What drives the character? Their goals and desires should be clear and compelling.
• Flaws and Imperfections: Perfect characters are boring. Flaws make characters relatable and human.
• Strengths and Skills: Balance flaws with admirable traits to create a well-rounded character.
• Relationships: Interactions with other characters reveal their personality and drive the story forward.
• Growth and Transformation: A character’s journey and development are essential for a satisfying narrative.

Sources: Creating Character Arcs by K.M. Weiland, Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card

How to Create Relatable Characters: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating relatable characters doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Follow this structured approach to develop characters that resonate with your audience.

1. Step 1: Start with the Basics
2. Define the character’s name, age, appearance, and occupation.
3. Step 2: Develop Their Backstory
4. Explore their family, upbringing, and significant life events.
5. Step 3: Define Their Motivations
6. Identify their primary goals and desires.
7. Step 4: Add Flaws and Strengths
8. Create a balanced character by giving them both weaknesses and admirable traits.
9. Step 5: Build Their Relationships
10. Develop friendships, rivalries, and romantic relationships to add depth.
11. Step 6: Plan Their Growth
12. Outline their character arc and how they will transform throughout the story.

Sources: The Writer’s Guide to Character Traits by Linda Edelstein, Steering the Craft by Ursula K. Le Guin

Practical Examples of Relatable Characters

Analyzing successful characters can provide valuable insights into creating relatable characters.

Example 1: Harry Potter

• Backstory: Orphaned and raised by neglectful relatives.
• Motivations: Desire to belong and protect his friends.
• Flaws: Impulsive and sometimes reckless.
• Strengths: Brave, loyal, and determined.
• Relationships: Deep bonds with Hermione and Ron.
• Growth: Transforms from a lonely boy to a confident leader.

Example 2: Katniss Everdeen

• Backstory: Grew up in poverty and became the family’s provider.
• Motivations: Protect her sister and survive.
• Flaws: Stubborn and distrustful.
• Strengths: Resourceful and fiercely protective.
• Relationships: Complex dynamics with Peeta and Gale.
• Growth: Evolves from a survivor to a symbol of rebellion.

Sources: Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced writers can fall into common pitfalls when developing characters. Here’s how to avoid them:

• Making Characters Too Perfect: Perfect characters are unrelatable. Give them flaws and vulnerabilities.
• Neglecting Backstory: A character’s history is essential for understanding their actions and motivations.
• Inconsistent Motivations: Ensure the character’s goals and actions align throughout the story.
• Overloading with Traits: Too many traits can make a character feel unrealistic. Focus on a few key characteristics.

Sources: On Writing by Stephen King, The Elements of Style by Strunk and White

Conclusion

Creating relatable characters is both an art and a science. By focusing on key elements like backstory, motivations, flaws, and growth, writers can craft characters that resonate with their audience.

• Recap of Key Elements: Backstory, motivations, flaws, strengths, relationships, and growth are essential for relatable characters.
• Encouragement to Practice: Draw inspiration from real life and keep practicing to refine your skills.
• Final Thoughts: Character development is a journey. Embrace the process and enjoy creating characters that come to life on the page.

Sources: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg