This person is going to be the main attraction of your book. The heart and soul. Yes, story is very important, but it's the characters that your readers will relate to. That being said, here is:
1. Figure Out Who Your Protagonist Is
Just starting out on a basic level, you need to know who this person is. As I talked about in my Three Heroes post, you should figure out if they're more of a traditional hero, antihero or just an everyday hero (which is most common for mainstream, non-action/fantasy based fiction).
But just building a rough timeline of your character's life can make the difference. When and where was she born? Where did she grow up? What type of culture/lifestyle was she exposed to as she grew up? What type of jobs did she hold?
All of this creates a rough (not complete) identity of your main character. Something as simple as giving her a hobby can make all the difference. It adds life, background and at least some meaning to the leading lady of your story.
So do yourself a favor and write these seemingly mundane, yet critical pieces of information down. It can actually be fun, and will give your character at least some form of rough shape you can mold out to perfection later.
But just building a rough timeline of your character's life can make the difference. When and where was she born? Where did she grow up? What type of culture/lifestyle was she exposed to as she grew up? What type of jobs did she hold?
All of this creates a rough (not complete) identity of your main character. Something as simple as giving her a hobby can make all the difference. It adds life, background and at least some meaning to the leading lady of your story.
So do yourself a favor and write these seemingly mundane, yet critical pieces of information down. It can actually be fun, and will give your character at least some form of rough shape you can mold out to perfection later.
2. Find Out What Makes Them Tick
Now we're getting into the really interesting stuff. YES, all the previous stuff was crucial, but really only sculpted the outer shell of your character. While the things listed above were deep, they just weren't deep enough to create the multi-layered character you're striving to achieve.
I'm talking about turning your protagonist from a mere compilation of "likes and dislikes" into a deep and complex human. And to make something human, they NEED to have emotions. (Side note: Even if your character doesn't show emotions to the world, there needs to be something in their brain moving them . . . say a struggle between their "stone-face," expressionless side and the part of their brain that just wants to make them break down and cry.)
For example, what makes your character happy? What is their biggest regret? Their greatest fear? Who was their first love? Who impacted them or served as a role model when they were growing up? Who do they strive to be like? Who or what do they despise? What is their DREAM? What will they give ANYTHING to achieve?
Sometimes it can be powerful to give them an object of some significance they carry around everyday. Something that has meaning, say their father's old war medal or a locket with a loved one's photo. Almost like a reminder of who they hope to be, or even just a past memory they've clung to their entire life. All of this builds character along with solidifying and DEFINING who they are.
And, as mentioned above, these are all emotions I can guarantee we ALL feel. Something needs to drive your protagonist. Even if they suffer from the greatest depression they need to have a goal or a dream. They need to fight against their fears and temptations. They need to struggle and do EVERYTHING they can to achieve their dreams or goals.
It is this willingness and determination to break out of their comfort zone and complete whatever challenge you give them that makes your characters really BREATHE.
I'm talking about turning your protagonist from a mere compilation of "likes and dislikes" into a deep and complex human. And to make something human, they NEED to have emotions. (Side note: Even if your character doesn't show emotions to the world, there needs to be something in their brain moving them . . . say a struggle between their "stone-face," expressionless side and the part of their brain that just wants to make them break down and cry.)
For example, what makes your character happy? What is their biggest regret? Their greatest fear? Who was their first love? Who impacted them or served as a role model when they were growing up? Who do they strive to be like? Who or what do they despise? What is their DREAM? What will they give ANYTHING to achieve?
Sometimes it can be powerful to give them an object of some significance they carry around everyday. Something that has meaning, say their father's old war medal or a locket with a loved one's photo. Almost like a reminder of who they hope to be, or even just a past memory they've clung to their entire life. All of this builds character along with solidifying and DEFINING who they are.
And, as mentioned above, these are all emotions I can guarantee we ALL feel. Something needs to drive your protagonist. Even if they suffer from the greatest depression they need to have a goal or a dream. They need to fight against their fears and temptations. They need to struggle and do EVERYTHING they can to achieve their dreams or goals.
It is this willingness and determination to break out of their comfort zone and complete whatever challenge you give them that makes your characters really BREATHE.
3. Study Your Favorite Characters
Pretty simple, but study characters or role models you admire. Maybe you like the brash and cockiness of Hans Solo, or the strong willed yet sensitive side of Katniss Everdeen, or even the deep and complicated nature of Spock from the new Star Trek.
Use these predecessors to glean as much information and inspiration as you can.
Use these predecessors to glean as much information and inspiration as you can.
4. Challenge Them
Like I began to mention in tip number 2, a great character is nothing without a challenge. By challenging your character, and putting him into a tough scenario, you're giving him the opportunity to really show his strengths.
For example, don't just have your villain want to DEFEAT him . . . because physical victory is less powerful than mental. Why not have your villain test your hero's moral strength as well . . . say by offering a reward to do something your protagonist knows is wrong. (Think Darth Vader trying to seduce Luke Skywalker to join the Dark Side . . . or just the Joker wanting to break Batman's spirit more than he actually wanted to kill Batman)
Also, readers like to see characters they love, do the things they can't, or are at least hesitant to do. That's why we love everything from car chases to crazy gun fights. We love experiencing DANGER, but from a safe distance. And the same goes for "emotional danger". For example, when we read snappy and witty dialog we think "WOW, I wish I could say that to my boss."
We, as readers, project ourselves onto our favorite characters, making us love them that much more. So challenge them, and as I've said in previous posts, run them through the mill. You've given them all these high (or low) morals, and great qualities. Now put them to the test.
For example, don't just have your villain want to DEFEAT him . . . because physical victory is less powerful than mental. Why not have your villain test your hero's moral strength as well . . . say by offering a reward to do something your protagonist knows is wrong. (Think Darth Vader trying to seduce Luke Skywalker to join the Dark Side . . . or just the Joker wanting to break Batman's spirit more than he actually wanted to kill Batman)
Also, readers like to see characters they love, do the things they can't, or are at least hesitant to do. That's why we love everything from car chases to crazy gun fights. We love experiencing DANGER, but from a safe distance. And the same goes for "emotional danger". For example, when we read snappy and witty dialog we think "WOW, I wish I could say that to my boss."
We, as readers, project ourselves onto our favorite characters, making us love them that much more. So challenge them, and as I've said in previous posts, run them through the mill. You've given them all these high (or low) morals, and great qualities. Now put them to the test.
5. Put Yourself Into Them
Last, but not least, I think the most powerful thing you can do is put a bit of yourself into your main character. You KNOW your hopes and fears. You KNOW your dreams and goals. You know yourself better than you know anyone on this entire planet. Why not put yourself, even a little bit, into your own characters.
Infact, i feel the more willing you are to pour your own heart and soul into them, the stronger your story will be. Yes, it can make you feel vulnerable or exposed, but it will make your characters that much more powerful and your story stronger. After all, isn't the 7 Harry Potter books supposed to be seven pieces of J.K. Rowling's own soul? (Well sort of . . .)
Either way, develop those characters and get writing!
Infact, i feel the more willing you are to pour your own heart and soul into them, the stronger your story will be. Yes, it can make you feel vulnerable or exposed, but it will make your characters that much more powerful and your story stronger. After all, isn't the 7 Harry Potter books supposed to be seven pieces of J.K. Rowling's own soul? (Well sort of . . .)
Either way, develop those characters and get writing!