What Makes a Good Character in a Book?
A good character in a book is one that readers can connect with and relate to. They should be believable and relatable, and they should have goals that the reader can sympathize with. Here are some key elements that make a good character in a book:
• Clear Goals: Characters should almost always have clear goals, even if these goals are not immediately made obvious to the reader. Without goals, characters lack motivation—that is, they have little reason to do anything interesting. For this reason, many writers connect the main character’s goals to the main conflict in the story.
• Flaws and Strengths: A good character should have both flaws and strengths. This makes them more believable and relatable to the reader. Flaws can be anything from physical imperfections to moral dilemmas. Strengths can be anything from physical abilities to moral fortitude.
• Internal Conflict: Internal conflict is an important element of any good character. This is the conflict between the character’s own desires and goals, and the external forces that are working against them. This internal conflict can be anything from a character’s own doubts and fears to a struggle between morality and ambition.
• Growth: A good character should grow and change throughout the story. This growth should be organic and believable, and it should be connected to the character’s goals and internal conflict.
• Connection to the Story: A good character should be connected to the story in some way. This could be through their goals, their internal conflict, or even their relationships with other characters. This connection should be clear to the reader, and it should be an important part of the story.
• Complexity: A good character should be complex and multifaceted. They should have layers that the reader can explore, and they should be more than just a one-dimensional caricature.
• Consistency: A good character should remain consistent throughout the story. This means that their goals, motivations, and actions should remain consistent, even if they are changing and growing.
• Believability: A good character should be believable. This means that their actions and reactions should be consistent with their character traits, and they should be consistent with the world and story that the author has created.
These are some of the key elements that make a good character in a book. By following these guidelines, authors can create characters that readers can connect with and relate to.
