How to Create Vivid Characters for Your Novel or Screenplay
Creating a memorable character for your novel or screenplay can be a daunting task. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your characters are vivid and compelling. Here are some tips for creating a character that will stand out in your story:
Start with a Character Archetype
The first step in creating a vivid character is to decide what type of character you want to create. Consider what type of character would best fit the story you are telling. Do you want a hero, a villain, a mentor, a sidekick, or something else? Once you have decided on a character archetype, you can start to build your character.
Add Specific Characteristics
Once you have chosen an archetype, you can start to add specific characteristics to your character. Consider things like their age, gender, ethnicity, physical appearance, and personality traits. You can also think about how they dress, speak, and act. All of these details will help to make your character unique and memorable.
Build the Backstory
Every character should have a backstory. This is the history of the character that explains why they are the way they are. Think about where they come from, their family history, and any major events that have shaped their life. This will help to make your character more believable and relatable.
Give Them Quirks, Faults, and Flaws
No character is perfect. Give your character some quirks, faults, and flaws to make them more interesting and believable. These can be physical or psychological traits that make them unique.
Give Your Character an Arc
Every character should have an arc. This is the journey that the character takes throughout the story. Think about how the character changes and grows over the course of the story. This will help to make your character more compelling and memorable.
Add Visual References
When creating a character, it can be helpful to think of a real-life person or celebrity that could be used as a reference. This will help to give you a visual representation of the character and make them easier to imagine.
Organise & Refine
Once you have all of the details of your character, it is important to organise and refine them. Think about how all of the details fit together and how they can be used to create a vivid and compelling character.
Create the Rest of Your Characters
Once you have created your main character, you can start to create the other characters in your story. Follow the same steps as above to create vivid and compelling characters for your novel or screenplay.
Creating a vivid character for your novel or screenplay can be a daunting task. However, by following these simple steps, you can ensure that your characters are unique and memorable. Start by choosing an archetype, add specific characteristics, build the backstory, give them quirks, faults, and flaws, give them an arc, add visual references, organise and refine, and create the rest of your characters. With these tips, you can create characters that will stand out in your story.
