Crafting Compelling Characters: From Heroes to Villains (and Everyone In Between)

We've talked about building worlds that feel real, places your readers can step into and explore. But what about the people who inhabit those worlds? Because let’s be honest, no matter how breathtaking your setting, it’s your characters who truly pull readers in and keep them turning pages late into the night.

As a fantasy writer, I've had the immense joy (and occasional headache) of creating some compelling characters, from valiant knights and wise mages, to terrifying dragons and deceptive fae. But the principles I use aren't confined to epic quests and magical realms. They apply equally whether you're crafting a quirky neighbour in a contemporary romance, a morally ambiguous detective in a gritty thriller, or even a sympathetic antagonist in a literary drama.

Crafting Compelling Characters: The Spectrum of Humanity

The biggest mistake a writer can make is creating flat characters – those who exist only to serve the plot, without any inner life or genuine motivations. We need to move beyond simple "good guys" and "bad guys." Real people, even in fiction, are complex, contradictory, and constantly evolving.

So, how do we breathe life into them?

• Motivation is Key: Why do your characters do what they do? What drives them? Is it love, fear, ambition, revenge, a desire for peace, or something else entirely? A character's motivations, whether noble or selfish, are the engine of your story. Even a villain needs a compelling reason for their actions; perhaps they genuinely believe they are doing the right thing, or they've been pushed to extremes by circumstance.

  
  

• Show, Don't Just Tell, Their Personality: Don't just tell us your character is brave; show us a moment where they face overwhelming odds with courage. Don't say they're cynical; give them biting dialogue and a tendency to doubt others. Their actions, reactions, habits, and dialogue reveal far more than a simple description.

  
  

• Strengths AND Flaws: Nobody is perfect. A truly compelling character has admirable qualities and weaknesses, internal conflicts, and areas where they struggle. A hero who always succeeds and never doubts is boring. A villain with no redeemable qualities is forgettable. Embrace their imperfections – they make your characters relatable and human.

  
  

• The Power of Backstory: You don't need to dump an entire biography on the reader, but understanding your character's past – their childhood, their key experiences, their relationships – will inform their present actions and motivations. Even if only you know all the details, that depth will subtly colour their personality on the page.

  
  

• Unique Voices and Mannerisms: How does your character speak? Do they use slang, formal language, short sentences, or long, rambling ones? Do they have a particular laugh, a nervous habit, or a distinctive way of moving? These small details can make a character leap off the page and feel distinct from everyone else.

  
  

• Growth and Change: Crafting compelling characters, means them not being static. They need to learn, to adapt (or fail to adapt), and they need to be changed by the events of the story. Whether it's a profound transformation or a subtle shift in perspective, seeing a character evolve makes their journey all the more impactful.

Everyone In Between: The Supporting Cast

And don't forget your supporting characters! Even the smallest role can leave a lasting impression if they are well-crafted. Give them a purpose, a voice, and a hint of their own inner life. They shouldn't just be props; they should feel like real individuals contributing to the tapestry of your world.

So, as you build your next story, take the time to truly get to know your characters. Live with them, understand them, and let their complexities unfold on the page. Because ultimately, it's their struggles, their triumphs, and their very human (or inhuman) nature that will resonate most deeply with your readers.

What's the one thing you always try to do when developing a new character? Share your tips in the comments below!