As writers, our default tendency is to try to pull our characters out of thin air, cobbling together all the details, from their biographies to their pet peeves to the clothes they wear, out of nothing. While many incredible characters are born this way, I’ve found that sometimes a little head start can make a lot of difference. That’s why my new guided mini workbook, The Indie Author’s Guide to Brainstorming Bingeworthy Characters, offers six “entry points” into creating characters.
Whether you’re developing your protagonist or the bad guy’s sidekick, whether you know a little something about your character or you know nothing at all, these strategies will help you get started, eliminating “blank slate” syndrome so you can start to suss out exactly who you’re dealing with and how they got to be the way they are.
I dive into each of the six strategies in detail in my free, downloadable guide — with step-by-step instructions and plenty of space to think. Here’s a preview of what you’ll learn:
3 Strategies for Developing Characters from the Outside, In
1. Images of Strangers
Go to a photo site like Pexels or Flickr and search for images of people. You can get specific if you already have some idea of your character — e.g., middle-aged man, red-headed woman — or you can keep it vague. When an image catches your attention, freewrite to tease out who the subject might be.
2. Found Objects
Pick an object that's unfamiliar to you — a coffee mug at a thrift shop, an outlandish jacket in a magazine, that gift from your cousin that you shoved in the back of the closet — and freewrite about the kind of person you imagine would cherish it.
3. Real-Life Characters
Have you ever been out and about and encountered someone who piques your curiosity? Maybe they looked like they'd just stepped off the runway, or maybe they seemed overwhelmed or sad or exceptionally zen. Speculate away! This stranger could be your next main character.
3 Strategies for Developing Characters from the Inside, Out
1. Personality Traits
If you want your character to have a certain personality, brainstorm what kind of person might have those traits and why.
2. Achievements
Already know your character's biggest accomplishments? Great! Consider how they might've gotten where they are — and whether it's really what they wanted.
3. Personal History
If you have a past in mind for your main character, traumatic or otherwise, brainstorm who he might've become as a result.
If these prompts are all you need to get started, that’s great! If you’d like a little more support, download The Indie Author’s Guide to Brainstorming Bingeworthy Characters for guided brainstorming sessions, 5 questions to ask about every character, and a template for identifying what, exactly, makes a character irresistible.
I can’t wait to meet the characters you’re developing!
Want Even More Character Development Insights?
Check out my full, guided workbook!
If you're struggling to create dynamic, compelling characters that jump off the page and into readers' hearts, you're not alone. Whether you’re developing your protagonist or the bad guy’s sidekick, whether you know a little something about your characters or nothing at all, The Indie Author's Guide to Creating Captivating Characters will help you bring them to life with guided exercises for every stage of development.