Stary Writing Guides(New Version)

How To Design Characters？

A captivating story is nothing without compelling characters. While a thrilling plot may keep readers turning pages, it's the characters that truly capture hearts and minds. We only root for characters we care about - their personalities, traits, and motivations need to resonate with us. In fact, a character's growth can even shift our perception of events in the plot. That's why crafting well-rounded characters is just as vital, if not more so, than developing an exciting storyline. After all, a good character stays with us long after the last page has turned.

01 How To Create Your Main Characters?

Are you struggling to bring your characters to life on paper? Look no further! We've compiled a list of thought-provoking questions to help you sort out your ideas and develop rich, engaging characters. These questions are just a starting point, so don't be afraid to add or remove them to fit your needs. The more time you spend refining your characters, the more alive they will become in your writing. So, get ready to bring your characters to life and take your writing to the next level!

The character's basic situation

● What's she/he look like? Gender, age, height,weight, appearance,etc.

● Does your character have any unusual pastimes or distinguishing physical characteristics?

● How would you describe the personality and speech patterns of your character? What are their advantages and disadvantages?

The character's background

● How does your character's life get affected by their social status or profession?

●If your character has undergone any considerable loss or trauma, in what ways has this affected their actions and personality?

● If your character has gone through any significant trauma or loss, how has it influenced their behavior and personality?

The development of the character

● Will there be any development in your characters' personalities or traits during the course of the story? If yes, what sort of transformation will it be?

● How does your character intend to accomplish their end objective, and how do the happenings or escapades in the tale assist in fulfilling their goal?

Having solved all the question above? Congratulations! You've taken the first step towards designing the main characters. However, creating the main characters is only the beginning. To make them endearing to readers, you must bestow them with unique and distinctive traits. Here are some samples for reference:

A: Adding small personality details to a character can help readers like them more, such as unique behaviors, quirks, or common phrases. These details can also reinforce the reader's existing impression of the character.

Example: A wealthy man with cleanliness issues and an aversion to touch may constantly wipe his hands and lips with a handkerchief after shaking hands or kissing a woman. As the story progresses, the character may experience personal growth, such as no longer requiring these obsessive behaviors after meeting the right girl.

B: Characters who possess contrasting traits can add a level of freshness and intrigue readers.

Example:

In My Miracle Luna (by Eunie), Rylee, a low-ranking Omega, bears the responsibility of cooking and cleaning for the Alpha family while enduring disdain and bullying. Despite being rejected by her first mate, Ash, the Alpha's son, Rylee does not succumb to despair. Instead, she bravely accepts the rejection and moves on. When Ash confesses his love and asks her to stay, Rylee boldly denounces the mistreatment she received from the Alpha family, refusing to reconcile.

Rylee's actions and her rank create a unique contrast. Unlike the typical portrayal of an Omega characterized by softness, Rylee's sassy personality fascinates the reader.

C:Introduce dilemmas for your characters and allow your readers to grow along with them. Characters who stagnate and do not experience change can become tedious to follow. A well-crafted character should evolve as the plot thickens, and this journey could lead them to become either better or worse. This process is sure to evoke empathy in the reader, making your character more compelling and relatable.

Example:

In Welcome Home Mate(by roanna hinks), Alpha Alexander and Roxie's brother are popular in school. Envying Roxie for her closeness with the two, a bully even tells Roxie the Alpha only sees her as a little sister. To make it worse, Alpha Alexander says the same to Roxie to send her away. Later Roxie comes back as a warrior. Her growth intrigues us to anticipate how Roxie will deal with her old enemy and lover.

D: Stays Consistent with the Character Setting.

It is assumed that you have a clear concept of the main characters. As the plot unfolds, you will uncover the distinct qualities of the main characters and how they acquired them, which will drive the plot's subsequent development and potentially lead to character growth. In addition, it is essential to explain the causes and effects to the reader so that the character's actions are rationalized.

Example:

In Unscentable (by Jennifer Francis), Piper is an unconventional werewolf who resists the pack mentality and prefers to live in human society. Unlike her fellow werewolves, who cherish their pack bonds, Piper remains distant from her own kind. After reading the story, the reader discovers that Piper is unrecognizable as a wolf to her mate. Piper eventually leaves the pack and enters human society to escape the unintended harm and betrayal inflicted by Alpha Bradley. This development arouses the reader's curiosity and anticipation as they eagerly anticipate how Bradley will recognize Piper as his mate and win her back.

02 Show Main Characters In Your Story

Once you have everything established about the character, the next step is to effectively convey these details in the body of the story. This will help to pique the reader's interest and allow them to enjoy the character's journey to the fullest.

Describes the heroine's identity information and interpersonal relationships, and shows her personality.

Lilly Strummer was twenty-one and was one of the few pack doctors. She remained very secluded from others during school and at the age of fourteen, she went ahead and enrolled into college. She was very bright, and with no other distractions, she was dedicated to her studies. Everyone else her age was interested in finding their mate, but Lilly never had much interest. In fact, she hoped she never found her mate. She knew he would end up rejecting her anyways. There were only a few people who accepted her for the way she was. Her father Ethan, her brother Aaron, and his Beta Matteus, or Mattie, as she liked to call him.

Describe the heroine's appearance, and likewise mention her personality.

Despite Lilly being excluded from her pack, she was a strong-willed young lady and would readily oppose anyone if the need ever arose. She was self-confident in her appearance and in herself. She never considered herself stunningly beautiful, but she had heard the guys from school always complain about how the hottest girl had to be so scary. She was only 5’4. She was so tiny, while her wolf was huge. She had bright, shiny blonde hair, green eyes, a round bubble butt, a tiny waist, and well-developed breasts. She could not complain about how she was put together.

Describes the hero's appearance and charm from the heroine's POV.

She heard girls swoon about Tyler Locke and how attractive he was, but she never partook in those conversations. It really didn’t matter to her at the time, but it did now. She looked up at this six-foot-two, amazingly sculpted specimen in front of her. He only had shorts on, and his bare chest and muscles were sculpted and bulging. He looked to be about the same age as her; his hair was black as night and his eyes were a beautiful gray color. Simply put, he was mouth-wateringly attractive. It was as if his body was blessed by the gods. Her eyes met with his, and she heard the word she never wanted to hear. MATE.

The paragraphs above are from JM Snap's "Dr. Luna".

03 Do Not Ignore Supporting Roles

In novels, main characters are crucial and often a man and woman in a romantic relationship in a romantic story. However, writers tend to overlook supporting characters, who are just as important. These characters help drive the plot, add obstacles, and offer additional context while also offering insight into the protagonist's personality, thereby making the story more compelling. There are two more points to consider when designing supporting characters.

1. What is the distinguishing feature of this supporting role?

Supporting characters exist to support the protagonist's storyline, and their goals and conflicts are subordinate to the protagonist's. Superior supporting roles add depth and complexity to the narrative and may even play a crucial part in the plot's resolution. A well-written supporting role is essential to a story.

2. What is the relationship between the supporting actor and the leading roles?

There are two types of relationships:

Unity relations

Kind elders: they give the leading characters the warmth of family.

The mentor: offer guidance, wisdom, and support to help them overcome challenges.

Friends: childhood friends, friends through thick and thin, or childhood sweethearts represent a source of camaraderie, support, and comfort.

Hostility relations:

Antagonist: the main character's worst enemy.

Betrayer: betraying the protagonist and getting the protagonist into trouble.

Clown: a comic character who causes problems for the leading roles.

Character design is an exciting way for writers to express a part of themselves and embark on a journey of self-exploration. Though there are general tips, every writer has a unique creative process, ensuring every story is unique. It is crucial to design characters realistically, with their individual personalities like real people.

If you have any thoughts on character design, feel free to leave a comment in the comments section.