Building characters fiction
How do I create believable, complex characters for my novel?
Projekt-Plan
Why: Compelling characters are driven by a conscious goal (Want) that is often at odds with what they actually require for emotional health (Need).
How:
- Identify a concrete external goal (e.g., 'Win the election').
- Identify an internal emotional requirement (e.g., 'Learn to trust others').
- Ensure the 'Want' is a temporary fix for a deeper 'Need'.
Done when: You have a written statement: '[Character] wants X, but they actually need Y.'
Why: A 'Ghost' is a past event that continues to haunt the character, shaping their current fears and biases.
How:
- Determine a specific traumatic or pivotal event from the character's past.
- Explain how this event created a 'wound' that dictates their current behavior.
- Use this to justify their irrational fears in the present story.
Done when: A one-paragraph summary of the character's most influential past trauma is written.
Why: The 'Lie' is a false belief about themselves or the world, born from their 'Ghost', that prevents them from achieving their 'Need'.
How:
- Formulate a sentence like 'I am only worthy if I am successful' or 'The world is a dangerous place.'
- Ensure this Lie is the primary obstacle to their character arc.
- Plan how the plot will eventually force them to confront this Lie.
Done when: The character's core false belief is clearly articulated.
Why: This book provides the industry-standard framework for mapping how characters change (or fail to change) over time.
How:
- Focus on the 'Positive Change Arc' (overcoming the Lie).
- Study the 'Flat Arc' (where the character changes the world around them).
- Take notes on the 'Negative Change Arc' for tragic characters.
Done when: You have finished the book and identified which arc type your character follows.
Why: Archetypes provide a recognizable skeleton that you can then flesh out with unique details to avoid clichés.
How:
- Choose from Jungian archetypes: The Hero, The Shadow, The Mentor, The Rebel, or The Caregiver.
- Identify how your character subverts this archetype (e.g., a 'Cowardly Hero').
- Use the archetype to guide their initial reactions to conflict.
Done when: An archetype is selected and a subversion point is noted.
Why: Readers remember characters through specific, recurring physical habits or mannerisms, especially under stress.
How:
- Avoid generic traits like 'blue eyes'.
- Choose a 'Tell' (e.g., tugging an earlobe when lying, or checking their watch every 5 minutes).
- Ensure the trait reflects an internal state (e.g., anxiety, impatience).
Done when: Three distinct physical mannerisms are listed for the character.
Why: Every character should sound different. If you remove the names, the reader should still know who is speaking.
How:
- Determine sentence length (short/clipped vs. long/flowery).
- Choose a specific vocabulary level (academic, slang-heavy, or formal).
- Identify a 'crutch word' or phrase they use too often.
Done when: A 10-line dialogue sample is written without using the character's name.
Why: Flaws make characters believable and human. This resource by Puglisi & Ackerman provides deep psychological roots for flaws.
How:
- Pick 2-3 negative traits (e.g., Abrasive, Cynical, or Cowardly).
- Read the 'Causes' section for these traits to link them to your character's backstory.
- Note how these traits will cause friction in their relationships.
Done when: You have selected three flaws and linked them to the character's 'Ghost'.
Why: Most people act differently in public than they do in private. This contrast creates depth.
How:
- Define how they want the world to see them (e.g., 'The confident leader').
- Define who they are when they are alone (e.g., 'The insecure child').
- Plan a scene where the mask slips.
Done when: A description of the 'Public vs. Private' persona is written.
Why: A foil is a character who contrasts with the protagonist to highlight specific qualities.
How:
- Identify the protagonist's strongest trait.
- Create a character who lacks that trait or possesses its opposite.
- Use their interactions to show the reader the protagonist's unique nature.
Done when: A supporting character is designed specifically to contrast the lead.
Why: The best villains are often dark reflections of the hero, showing what the hero could become if they gave in to their 'Lie'.
How:
- Give the antagonist the same 'Want' as the hero, but a different 'Need'.
- Ensure they share a similar 'Ghost' but chose a destructive path to deal with it.
- Make their conflict personal, not just ideological.
Done when: A comparison chart between the hero and villain is completed.
Why: Characters are defined by how they treat others. A web ensures no two relationships are the same.
How:
- Draw a circle with the protagonist in the center.
- Add 3-5 supporting characters around them.
- Draw lines between them and write one word describing the dynamic (e.g., 'Resentment', 'Idolization', 'Competition').
Done when: A visual or written map of all major character relationships is created.
Why: Seeing a character in their normal environment before the story starts helps establish their 'Status Quo'.
How:
- Write 500-1000 words of the character performing a mundane task (e.g., grocery shopping).
- Focus on how their 'Tells' and 'Voice' manifest in low-stakes situations.
- Do not include this in the final novel; it is for your eyes only.
Done when: A completed 500+ word character study scene.
Why: How a character reacts to a sudden change reveals their true nature and their 'Lie'.
How:
- Write the scene where the character's world is turned upside down.
- Ensure their reaction is driven by their 'Want' and 'Fear', not just plot necessity.
- Make the choice they make active, not passive.
Done when: A draft of the character's first major choice in the story.
Why: Consistency is the only way to discover the nuances of a character that planning cannot reveal.
How:
- Commit to writing 500 words of your draft every day.
- Focus on 'Character is Action'—show who they are through what they do.
- Don't edit as you go; just get the character moving.
Done when: Seven consecutive days of meeting the word count goal.
Why: A common mistake is having characters who just let things happen to them. They must drive the plot.
How:
- Go through your outline or draft.
- For every major plot point, ask: 'Did the character make a choice that led here?'
- If the answer is 'No', rewrite the scene so the character's decision causes the outcome.
Done when: Every major plot beat is linked to a character decision.
Why: You need to know if readers actually care about the character's journey.
How:
- Share the first 3 chapters with 2-3 trusted readers.
- Ask specifically: 'Did you understand what the character wanted?' and 'Did you find them relatable, even if they were unlikable?'
- Look for patterns in their feedback.
Done when: You have received and summarized feedback from at least two readers.
Why: Over a long novel, a character's voice can drift. This step ensures they sound the same from start to finish.
How:
- Read only the dialogue of your protagonist from Chapter 1 and Chapter 20 back-to-back.
- Check if the vocabulary and rhythm are consistent.
- Adjust any lines that sound like 'the author' rather than 'the character'.
Done when: A full pass of the manuscript focusing solely on dialogue consistency.