The Art of Developing Characters That Are Real

Good books require good individuals. When readers sit down to read a novel, they want to be able to identify with the characters. They can be fearlessly brave, compassionately gentle, humorously quick-witted, or possibly broken. Whatever they are, they need to be real. If the individuals are real to the reader, then the reader will continue reading. They will want to hear what comes next. This is the power of good writing.

Author. D.L. Carter, in Creating Characters, succinctly outlines how to develop characters on the page that readers can relate to. Her writing is not merely action- and emotion-filled. It is an emotion-packed crowd of people who look like they might walk off the pages of the book. Her characters evoke feelings that move readers with laughter, tears, and reflection. That is the magic of good character writing.

To create a genuine character, an author must know them quite well. What does he desire? What is he afraid of? What does he like best? What is his hidden secret? A character is more than his name. A good character thinks, feels, and has their history. He has his voice.

Nobody can ever be perfect. Perfect individuals are boring. Real people are not ideal. They get enraged, jealous, or offended. They fumble with words sometimes. They go too quickly or clam up when they need to say something. Those little imperfections make them human beings. And once people can view those imperfections, they begin to care.

One of the methods to render a character real is to make them grow. A good story illustrates the learning or growth of the character. They might begin to fear, but not be weak and cowardly. They might learn to forgive. Perhaps they fall in love or become brave in the face of adversity. Growing is often referred to as character development, and it is vital to stories.

Author D.L. Carter, in "Creating Characters," does growth beautifully. Her characters do not remain static. They have issues. They hurt. They raise profound questions. And gradually, they grow. They improve or learn. This makes the novel feel real and profound.

Another effective method for building realistic characters is through the use of dialogue. Dialogue reveals a great deal about an individual. Does he use little words or big ones? Is he quiet or does he scream? Does he make jokes, or is he serious? All characters need to have a speech pattern that suits their personality. Executed properly, the reader hears them.

Realistic characters also possess genuine relationships. They love individuals. They struggle. They fall in love. They lose individuals. These are all elements that contribute to the emotional construction of the story. Individuals can connect with the characters because they remind them of people in their own lives. Healthy relations create a story.

Writers must also reveal what the person does when they are alone. That is where the reader might catch a glimpse of the person's heart. Perhaps the person does something for someone in secret. They might cry when they are alone. Possibly, they write letters that they don't mail. Those little things tell a lot.

Author D.L. Carter, in "Creating Characters," also discusses the importance of noticing the small things, rather than focusing on broad, sweeping settings. What does the character look like when he gets dressed up? Does the character have a favorite dish? What would the character want as a pet? These are all small things, but they add up to a whole. They inform us that the character has a life outside of the story.

The world itself is involved. Where he lives, where he works, and where he holidays all contribute to him being the man he is. The individual who lives in a town might as well be a different person from one who lives in the city. Writers must consider how the world around the character will influence their behavior.

Another effective method is revealing the character's history. What happened to them in their life before the story started? Did they lose a close loved one? Did they try something and fail? Did they have a dream that they abandoned? All of these past events help readers understand why the character is who they are. They give depth and emotion to the story.

Authors can also use other characters to learn more about the main character. They can use a parent, a guide, a nemesis, or a friend to learn more about various aspects of a character. Through action and dialogue, the reader can get to know the main character and learn more about him.

In every one of her books, Creating Characters by author D.L. Carter offers readers something unique. Side characters, even, are such real people. They all possess backstories, wishes, and motivations that drive them to do what they do. This gives the entire book depth and makes it feel more satisfying.

Emotion is the key to actual characters. The author must demonstrate how the character feels, rather than telling. Never say "She was sad," but demonstrate her sitting quietly, tears brimming in her eyes. She indicates turning away from people or clutching a long-buried photograph in her hand. Those are the times the reader exists with the character, not reads.

Second, the selection of a character has to make sense. Even if we don't realize the character is incorrect, we need to examine why it is wrong. If we have a rational character upset, we need to know what irritated them. This type of writing will get the character across as living, breathing, and realistic.

Human beings are the pillars of any story. Without humans, a story means nothing. Action, magic, and love may be present in a story, but there must be characters that readers can relate to. That is what would make a reader want to return continuously. That is what would give life to a story.

When authors read Creating Characters by Author D.L. Carter, they will already be knowledgeable about how to create characters. With time, diligence, and love, her book demonstrates that characters can be brought to life and step off the page into one's head.

If you're a writer, then you need to sit down with your characters and interrogate them. What do they love? What do they need to heal? What do they keep hidden? And once you discover those things, your story becomes richer. Your characters come off the page. And your readers will thank you.

And finally, creating characters that are real is not a talent. It's an art. It's something that requires patience and compassion. But if it's done correctly, it brings the story to life—and the reader never wants to let it go.