Creating Believable Story Characters

Creating believable story characters is easier than you might believe. The characters in your tales should have the same problems that you face, although sometimes on a bigger scale.

So think about what problems you may be facing:

1) Family issues
2) A troubled past
3) Work related problems
4) Money issues

Now look at your favorite characters:

Ex. Harry Potter had serious family issues. His own aunt had him living in a closet, for heaven sake. He also had a troubled past.

Now look again at your own problems. Do some of them seem insurmountable because you are so close to the situation?

Look again at our famous character and tell me he doesn’t feel the same.

Your characters must be three dimensional. They must have believable problems given the context of their environment, their past and their relationships. That goes for your main character and all the supporting actors in your cast.

Look at the age group that you are writing for, as well. If you are writing for teenagers give your characters issues that they can relate to.

Is there someone that they have a crush on who they are too shy to ask out?
Or is there a group that is giving him or her a hard time?
Do they feel isolated? Left out?
Do their parents just not understand what they are going through?

Then ask some questions about the people that make up their world.

What are their parents like? Supportive? Cold? Raving lunatics?

What are their friends like? Do they have any? Are they loyal or ready to side with someone cooler at the drop of a hat?

Who is their nemesis? Every great hero has at least one person that seems to get in their way and try to cause trouble. Remember to give your story characters enemy a back story, as well. Is he as bad as he seems or has their been a misunderstanding? What problems is he facing that most people don’t know about?

Finally what is the seemingly insurmountable problem that they have?

Is the family about to move?
Is there some evil about to descend upon him, his friends, family or his school?
Is there something that he must do to prove himself?
Does it seem as if he is the only one who can’t do or have something he truly wants?
Does he have a special ability that seems like a liability?

Once you have fleshed this out, your characters will hold a fascination for your readers and they will eagerly race to find out what happens next.

Caterina Christakos is the author of How to Write a Children’s Book in 30 Days or Less at http://www.howtowriteachildrensbook.com

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