How to create unique fictional characters
If you read a lot of novels like I do, and you write fiction, then you know it can be hard (if not impossible) to let characters you read about influence your own writing. To a point, that’s okay. But when you start using "stock characters" that are cliched, then your fiction can really start to suffer.
Is there hope for your writing? Of course there is, but it will take some work on your part. You don’t have to be a creative genius to create original characters that your readers will fall in love with. I’ve compiled these few quick tips for creating unique fictional characters.
Don’t forget about your character’s backstory
Characters are people. They don’t just appear out of thin air on the page and then disappear when you finish reading the book. Like people in real life, each character should have a backstory. A history. Details of his/her life before the story begins need to be included in your fiction.
Maybe your character has been married and divorced several times. Maybe your character is a recovering drug addict. Maybe your character suffered a loss of a good friend or loved on. The possibilities are endless. The key is to weave the backstory into your narrative so your reader can see a connection.
Small quirks make a big difference
Quirks are another way to make your characters more interesting. Quirks are a peculiar trait of a character that make them stand out more. For example, you might have a character that is very health conscious and is always hitting the gym. Maybe he/she likes to sneak the occasional cigarette to relax. That would be a quirk.
Most quirks can probably be classified as habits – something your character does throughout the story, but isn’t a main part of the story. However, a quirk can also be something more substantial, like a peculiar style of dress or taste in music.
One of the most memorable characters I remember reading came from a Kim Stanely Robinson trilogy ("Science in the Capital series") where one of the main characters had a penchant for living in unusual places, despite having a well-paying job with a steady paycheck. Some of his living quarters included his car, a treehouse in the park, and his office. In fact, this character really made the series for me and I read those books at lightening speed.
Do the twist!
Take your traditional stock character, like a private investigator in a mystery novel, for example. Instead of making him a loser alchoholic with a bad attitude (as is the case with many PIs) – turn him into a health nut who is in a happy marriage. I’m not saying this kind of character is golden in any story, but it serves as an example of how characters can be twisted around to defy your readers expectations.
Mix it up and have fun
There are so many ways to twist and bend and shape your characters that I could probably devote an entire blog purely to character development. The above methods are some basic ideas on how to make your character stand out. There are many other ways. That means it all comes down to experimenting with a variety of different techniques and seeing what works well for you.
Remember, you don’t need to re-invent the wheel when it comes to creating great characters, and you shouldn’t even try. All you need is a few small changes and your character will start to grow on their own.
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