Tips for Writing Compelling Characters in Creative Stories

ElevatEd
English
July 25, 2024

Do you remember the last fictional character you were eager to learn about their life journey? What is the one thing that leaves a lasting impact on you after reading any story or poem? It's the characters involved in the narrative, right? No matter how compelling a story is, it is lifeless without characters. The best stories are not just about plots; they are about characters that have a long-lasting effect on the reader’s life.

Building character is crucial for creative writing. A strong character in your creative writing can secure a permanent place in the hearts of your readers. In this article, we will explore some compelling character development tips. Let's dive directly into it and start writing compelling characters for your next creative writing project.

What is the need for writing compelling characters?

Well-described character development can elevate your storytelling game by making it more realistic and relatable. Let's explore some benefits of good character writing in creative writing now:

Create an emotional connection by emphasizing the struggles and feelings of a character’s journey.
Using characters, it becomes easier and more interesting to drive the plot of the story.
Well-developed characters add realism to the writing, making it interesting and memorable.

8 Tips and hacks for writing compelling characters in creative writing:

Detailed Profiles: Give your characters complete backstories that include their motives, desires, anxieties, and personal histories. Their choices and actions throughout the narrative will be influenced by their understanding of these elements.
Give Them Depth: Add layers of complexity to your characters to avoid one-dimensionality. Highlight their contradictions, flaws, and strengths to make them feel more genuine and relatable.

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Show, Don't Tell: Demonstrate traits through actions, words, thoughts, and relationships rather than stating them explicitly. This allows readers to draw their conclusions and infer characteristics.
Give Character Arcs: Characters should undergo development or change throughout the narrative. Outline their entire journey, emphasizing how their experiences have shaped who they are.
Invent Conflict: Characters thrive in challenging situations. Provide them with obstacles, roadblocks, or internal conflicts to compel them to evolve and grow. Conflict drives the plot and reveals character traits.
Balance between Protagonists and Antagonists: Whether your character is a hero, villain, or supporting role, ensure they have individual goals, motivations, and reasons for their actions. This complexity adds depth to their roles.
Use Background Wisely: While understanding their background is important, reveal it gradually and only when relevant to the story or character development. Avoid overwhelming readers with unnecessary information.
Pay Attention to Their Voices: Each character should have a unique voice and perspective. Take note of their thoughts and speech, as these convey their distinct personality and point of view.

Injecting life into creative writing can be challenging, but by crafting compelling characters, you can breathe new life into your story. Don’t forget to visit the 98thPercentile website to explore our programs on English, math, coding, and public speaking. Book our free 2-week demo class to learn more.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. How do you write better characters?

A: To write better characters, focus on their appearance and actions.

Q2. How do you create a complex character?

A: To create a complex character, provide a strong description and introduce conflicts that highlight their strong desires conflicting with resilient beliefs.

Q3. What makes a good story?

A: A good story combines a compelling plot, strong and well-developed characters, and a clear narrative.

Q4. How do you connect with a character?

A: To connect with a character, emphasize their struggles, desires, and emotions. Adding emotions to a character enhances the overall story.

Q5. How do you write a story based on a true story?

A: You can draw inspiration from true stories to create compelling creative writing by making it unique and engaging.

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