Put your character in difficult situations from the start. This will force you to think about how they will react and grow. For instance, if your character is a young wizard who has lost their magic, how will they deal with it? Also, draw inspiration from real people you know, but exaggerate some of their traits. If you know someone who is very forgetful, make your character extremely forgetful and build a story around how this trait affects their life in a fictional world.
Start with a simple concept like a character's job or a unique physical trait. For example, a character who is a left - handed swordsmith in a medieval - like world. Then, give them a backstory. Maybe this swordsmith has a family secret that led them to this profession. Another way is to combine different personality traits that don't usually go together, like a shy but extremely brave character.
Think about the character's goals and desires. A character who wants to be the best dancer in a world where dancing is forbidden will have an interesting journey. You can also give them a unique voice, not just in terms of how they speak but also in how they think. This can make the character stand out. For example, a character who thinks in rhymes all the time and it affects how they interact with others in the story.
One way to develop unique characters is by giving them quirks. It could be something like always humming a certain tune when they're nervous or having an obsession with collecting old keys. Their relationships with other characters are also important. A character who has a love - hate relationship with their sibling can bring a lot of drama to the story. Another aspect is their goals and desires. A character who is desperate to prove themselves in a male - dominated field will have a different motivation than someone who just wants to get by in life. And don't be afraid to make your characters complex and flawed. A character with a drinking problem but also a big heart can be very engaging.
Mix different personality traits. Don't make your characters one - dimensional. For example, a hero can be brave but also have a fear of spiders. This makes them more human and relatable. You can also develop characters by giving them relationships. How they interact with their family, friends, and enemies can shape who they are. A character who has a very overbearing mother might be more submissive in some situations, but rebellious in others.
For developing characters in fiction, pay attention to their flaws and strengths. Let their interactions with others reveal different sides of their personality. And give them unique quirks or habits to make them stand out.
To develop characters in historical fiction short stories, start with their backstory. Say it's a story set in the Renaissance. A painter character might have been an apprentice to a cruel master, which shapes his view of the art world. Next, think about their relationships. A samurai in feudal Japan might have a complex relationship with his lord, full of loyalty but also some underlying resentment. Their dialogue should also fit the era. A 1920s flapper would use different language than a Pilgrim in colonial America.
You can start by giving them distinct physical traits. For example, a character could have a unique hair color or a strange birthmark. This makes them stand out visually.
Developing characters involves several steps. Start with their basic profile - age, gender, occupation. But don't stop there. Dig deeper into their psyche. What are their fears? What makes them happy? Maybe your character is afraid of the dark because when they were a child, they got lost in a forest at night. Their hobbies and interests also play a role. If they like painting, it can be a way for them to express their emotions or a source of conflict if they can't afford art supplies. Also, think about how they interact with other characters. Are they a good listener? Do they tend to dominate conversations?
Start by giving your characters flaws. No one is perfect, and flaws make characters more relatable. Let's say your character is really stubborn. This flaw can cause problems in his relationships and in achieving his goals. Another aspect is their relationships with other characters. A character might be really close to his sister but have a difficult relationship with his father. By exploring these relationships, you can further develop the character. Additionally, think about how they change throughout the story. Maybe a shy character becomes more confident as the novel progresses.
One important aspect is backstory. You need to figure out what happened in their past that made them who they are. For example, if your character is a detective, did they have a personal experience that led them to this career? Also, give them flaws. No one is perfect, and these flaws will make your characters more relatable. You can show how they struggle with these flaws as the story progresses.
To develop characters, think about their goals and motivations. What does your character want? Is it love, power, or revenge? And how far are they willing to go to get it? Let's say your character wants power. Maybe they will manipulate people around them, which shows their cunning side. You can also show their relationships with other characters to further develop them.
Show their growth throughout the story. Maybe a character starts out as cowardly but through the events of the novel, they become brave. You can do this by putting them in challenging situations and showing how they change in response.