One of the important aspects of writing, especially when it comes to prose writing, is the acknowledgment and design of your characters. In my opinion, having a strong character foundation is nothing if not the top priority for a story simply because a story cannot happen without some form of character.
Now, whether that character is a hulking he-person who is the strongest anyone has ever seen, a shy tech geek who doesn’t get out much, a vicious disease, or the harsh and inhospitable desert of your world, is up to you. The characters in the story are the ones who define the chain of events which make up plot, whether or not the actions of something or someone a thousand years before the present could have a direct impact on what currently happens in the plot.
There are, however, some rules to follow when it comes to writing a story including characters, especially living ones with personalities. These are some tips to help direct and improve character creation whether it be for writing or even role-playing games.
1. Whatever you do, do not have too many characters.
If the rule goes “too many cooks spoil the broth” the same goes for a story. Unless handled extremely carefully and spaced out, the addition of too many characters either at once, or in a story can make things confusing for a reader. If anything, focus on a handful, maybe three or four characters (not including the main) and have a subset of minor characters to throw in every once in a while to help forward the plot.
2. Everything about your character can be used, and that should be taken into account.
It doesn’t matter what type of character you design, but any part of their appearance, personality, or history, can be used for any number of possible scenarios. The color of a character's eyes can be a basis of attraction between him or her and another character, or a particularly cynical character might have a lot less empathy towards an adversary. Make sure to jot down these things about your characters just in case something pops into your head.
3. If you grasp at straws for character creation, there is absolutely no harm in basing them on people you see in your day-to-day life.
However, with this method of creation, do not literally write friends or family into a plot. There comes the risk of libel as well as offending them. Take bits and pieces, but don’t name names, and don’t risk putting those you know into your work. If anything, if you need descriptions of people or places, just walk around the town and people-watch. Its an easy way to see different types of people, and then it’s up to you to make up the story
4. Put a little bit of yourself into the characters.
There is no one, except perhaps parents, who know you better than you do. Writing your characters with aspects, history and experience, or aspirations of your own really does help the writing process. Because the characters become an extension of you, there is a deeper connection to what you are writing, and if nothing else, the characters become richer and so does the writing experience.
So, with these tips in store, characters become another step in the writing process. Now there is just the working of plot, genre, setting, and doing the work.
