In a new blog post, Janice Hardy shares a step-by-step guide to creating a strong character. Hardy acknowledges that there are many ways to create a character and the only correct method is the one that works for you. With that in mind, she suggests working from this list:
- List five physical or personality traits.
- Pick five details that show: their family status, their economic status, their morality, their personality, and their fears.
- Pick three emotions this character regularly feels, such as fear, grief, sadness, jealousy, anger, or hope.
- Pick the most common way(s) this character reacts to a problem. Is your character a fighter or diplomat, team player or loner?
- Pick three weaknesses or flaws this character possesses.
- Pick three things this character would never do.
- Pick three ways in which this character won’t act like themselves.
- Pick three ways in which this character will change over the course of the story.
Hardy cautions against creating too much back story, because you might be tempted to put it all on page, even when it’s not needed. You also might lock yourself into one version of the character, even though the story and your viewpoint changes as you write.
