Writing a story can be so much fun, but one of the most important parts of storytelling is creating characters that feel real. Characters are the heart of your story—they make the plot exciting and help readers connect emotionally with your words. If your characters are lifelike, your readers will want to follow their journey!
In this simple guide, we’ll show you how to create characters that feel real, interesting, and fun. Thanks to UniSqoool’s easy tips, you’ll learn how to develop characters step by step. Ready to bring your characters to life? Let’s dive in!
1. Who Is Your Character?
Before you start writing, think about who your character is. Who are they, and what do they want? Start with the basics to help you understand your character better.
Ask yourself:
- What’s their name?
- How old are they?
- Where do they live?
- Do they have any siblings or close friends?
These simple questions will help you picture your character in your mind.
For example, let’s create a character named Lily. She’s 10 years old, loves to draw, and lives in a small town with her parents and little brother.
2. What’s Their Story?
Now that you know who they are, let’s dive into their backstory. A backstory is everything that happened to your character before the story starts. It helps explain why your character behaves the way they do.
Ask yourself:
- What’s something from their past that shaped who they are today?
- Did something important happen to them growing up?
- How did they become interested in things like sports, art, or music?
For example, Lily might have started drawing because her grandmother gave her a sketchbook when she was little. It became her favorite hobby, and now, she dreams of becoming an artist.
3. What Makes Them Special?
Think about what makes your character unique. Do they have a special talent or a funny habit? Maybe they’re super brave, or they get nervous easily. These details make your character interesting and fun!
Ask yourself:
- Does your character have any cool hobbies?
- Are they good at something unusual?
- What makes them different from everyone else?
For Lily, she loves to draw, and she’s always carrying her sketchbook around. She also has a silly habit of doodling on napkins at lunch.
4. What Does Your Character Want?
Every good character wants something. It could be something big, like becoming a famous singer, or something small, like winning a game at recess. This “want” is what drives the character forward and helps your story move along.
Ask yourself:
- What does your character want most in the world?
- What’s stopping them from getting it?
For Lily, her biggest dream is to win the school art competition. But she’s nervous because she thinks her drawings aren’t good enough.
5. What Challenges Do They Face?
No story is complete without some challenges! Think about what’s standing in the way of your character reaching their goal. It could be something inside them, like fear or self-doubt, or something outside, like a bully or a tough situation.
Ask yourself:
- What’s keeping your character from getting what they want?
- Is there something they’re afraid of?
- Who or what is making things harder for them?
For Lily, her biggest challenge is fear. She’s scared her art isn’t good enough to win the competition, and she’s afraid people will laugh at her work.
6. Let Them Grow!
The best characters change throughout the story. They might learn something important, face their fears, or even make a big mistake and fix it later. Your character’s journey is about growing and learning.
Ask yourself:
- How will your character change by the end of the story?
- Will they overcome their fear, solve a problem, or learn a valuable lesson?
At the end of the story, Lily learns to believe in herself. She realizes that it’s okay not to be perfect, and that trying her best is what matters most. She enters the art competition with confidence, no matter what happens.
7. Make Them Real!
Now that you have all the details, think about how your character acts. Do they smile a lot, or do they keep to themselves? Are they brave or shy? What are they like when they’re excited or upset?
Ask yourself:
- How does your character express themselves?
- How do they react in different situations?
For Lily, she’s shy but friendly. She’s a little quiet around new people, but once she feels comfortable, she’s warm and funny. If someone compliments her art, she’ll blush and thank them softly.
Example: Bringing It All Together
Let’s see how all this comes together for Lily:
- Name: Lily
- Age: 10
- Backstory: Lily’s grandmother gave her a sketchbook, which inspired her love of drawing.
- Personality: She’s shy and often worries about being good enough. She’s also kind and likes to help others.
- Want: Lily wants to win the school art competition.
- Conflict: She’s afraid her drawings aren’t good enough and that others will laugh at her.
- Growth: Throughout the story, Lily learns to believe in herself and understands that doing her best is more important than being perfect.
- Unique Traits: Lily always carries her sketchbook and doodles on napkins at lunch.
Final Thoughts
Creating characters doesn’t have to be hard! Just ask the right questions and let your imagination lead the way. Remember, characters should feel real, with strengths, weaknesses, dreams, and fears. They need to grow and change, just like people do.
By following these easy steps from UniSqoool, you can create characters that your readers will love and root for. So, grab your pen and start creating your own amazing characters today!
Want more writing tips? Check out other creative guides from UniSqoool to help you improve your writing skills. Whether it’s about crafting a plot, creating settings, or exploring character emotions, we’ve got you covered!