From Words to Life: Creating Memorable Characters
10 Proven Techniques to Make Your Characters Stand Out
Hey there! Let’s talk about something that’s both exciting and a little daunting: creating characters that stick with your readers long after they’ve finished your story. You know what I mean. The kind of characters that feel so real, that you almost expect to bump into them on the street. Writing a story can feel like stepping into an entirely new world, full of possibilities and challenges. Think about your favorite books. Have you asked yourself what made these characters stick with you? Chances are, it wasn’t just the plot but the people you met along the way.
Let’s face it, building characters that relate to your readers isn’t as easy as it sounds. Your characters are the core of your story, and the type of character you choose will shape everything that follows. Are they a reluctant hero struggling against fate, like Rand al'Thor from The Wheel of Time? Or maybe an unreliable narrator whose perspective keeps readers guessing?
Every choice you make—who they are, what they want, what flaws they carry—shapes your story and how readers connect to it. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and talk about how to breathe life into the characters who will live in your readers’ minds long after the final page.
1. What Do They Want, and Why Does It Matter?
Every character needs a goal, but the why behind it? That’s what hooks your readers. Why is your detective chasing that elusive suspect? Are they trying to redeem a past mistake? Maybe your athlete isn’t just chasing a championship—they’re trying to save their small-town gym from closing. The deeper the motivation, the more invested readers will be.
Example: In Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, Mia and Elena both strive to protect their children, but their vastly different motivations and values create unforgettable tension.
Writing Tip: Push your characters out of their comfort zone. If your character swears they'd never steal, what happens when they have to? Maybe they’re forced to steal medicine to save someone they love. This tension is where the magic happens.
2. Whose Voice Are We Hearing?
The way you tell your story can completely change how readers experience it. First-person pulls readers right into the character’s head, like in The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. Third-person, on the other hand, gives you the freedom to explore multiple perspectives, like in Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
Example: Imagine a jaded war reporter narrating:
“The explosions sounded distant. They always do when you’re used to running toward them.”
Now compare that to a lighthearted third-person tone:
“It wasn’t every day Bob accidentally detonated his own lunch, but here we were.”
Quick Tip: Let your character’s personality shine through the narration. A snarky teenager isn’t going to describe their day the same way a stoic knight would recount their quest.
3. Slow Down on the Details
When you meet someone new, you don’t spill your life story right away (at least, I hope not). The same goes for your characters. Drop little details about their quirks and secrets as the story unfolds.
Example: In Circe by Madeline Miller, we slowly learn about Circe’s bitter childhood exile and how it shaped her over time, keeping us hooked.
Pro Tip: Introduce characters with intriguing hints. Maybe your character keeps fiddling with an old locket but never explains why. Little mysteries like that keep readers curious.
4. Throw Them into Chaos
If everything’s smooth sailing, we don’t really get to know your characters. Conflict is where they shine—or crumble. The tougher the challenge, the more they reveal about themselves.
Example: In Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, Kya’s isolation and the conflicts she faces push her to grow in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
Writing Tip: Layer your conflicts. Maybe your character is trying to win a court case (external conflict) while battling guilt over a lie they told to get there (internal conflict). That’s the stuff readers live for.
5. Everyone Has a Past
A character’s history shapes their choices and worldview. But you don’t need to spell out every detail; just let the past quietly inform their actions.
Example: In The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, Celia and Marco’s traumatic upbringing and harsh magical training shape how they approach their rivalry and relationships as adults.
Writing Tip: Instead of dumping backstory, show how it influences their present. For example, a character who grew up in poverty might instinctively hoard food, even in abundance.
6. Make Them Feel Real
Quirks and flaws turn characters into people readers want to know. Perfect characters are forgettable, but flawed ones stick with us.
Example: In A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, Ove’s grumpiness, rigid routines, and surprising kindness create a beautifully flawed, relatable character.
Writing Tip: Give your characters weird little habits or fears. Maybe your protagonist has a deep fear of clowns but ends up at a circus. Or their guilty pleasure is watching cheesy romance movies even though they claim to hate them.
7. Paint a Picture
Descriptions bring characters to life, but it’s the small, vivid details that linger.
Example: In The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Death narrates with strikingly poetic descriptions of Liesel’s world. The little details, like her stolen books and her scuffed shoes, paint a picture of her resilience and curiosity.
Writing Tip: Don’t just describe appearances; focus on body language. A character nervously rubbing their hands or leaning away from someone might be hiding something. These gestures can say more than words.
8. Sidekicks, Foils, and Background Players
Your supporting characters should feel like they have lives of their own. They don’t need arcs as big as the protagonist, but they do need depth and purpose.
Example: In To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, characters like Calpurnia and Dill highlight Scout’s growth and reveal the social complexities of Maycomb. Even Boo Radley, though mostly off-page, plays a pivotal role in shaping the story’s resolution.
Writing Tip: Think about your side characters’ daily lives. What’s their routine? If your protagonist’s best friend always shows up with coffee, what does that say about them?
9. Don’t Forget the Small Stuff
Sometimes it’s the tiniest details that make the biggest impression.
Example: In Anxious People by Fredrik Backman, the quirky behaviors of every character, from a bank robber who hides in an open house to a grumpy elderly woman, make them unforgettable and deeply human.
Writing Tip: Focus on little details that reveal character. What’s their nervous tick? What song do they hum when they’re happy? These small touches make characters more human.
10. Let Them Surprise You
Nobody is one-dimensional. A bubbly optimist might snap under pressure. A cold-hearted villain might show kindness in an unexpected moment.
Example: In The Road by Cormac McCarthy, the father’s hardened survival instincts are shattered by his moments of tenderness toward his son, creating a contrast that makes him deeply human.
Writing Tip: Think of a moment where your character could act “out of character.” Maybe your tough-as-nails warrior sings a lullaby to calm a crying child. These moments create depth and surprise readers.
Closing Thoughts
Your characters are your story’s secret sauce. They’re what readers connect with, root for, and remember long after they’ve closed the book. The more time you spend getting to know them—their dreams, fears, quirks, and contradictions—the more they’ll come alive on the page.
Now it’s your turn. Take a character you’re working on and ask yourself: What’s their deepest fear? Their proudest moment? Their most embarrassing secret? Share your thoughts or favorite character-building tips in the comments—I’d love to hear what makes your characters tick!
Happy writing!
Claire, the Bookwolf
P. S. Are your character dynamics feeling a little scattered, like a puzzle with some pieces missing? Join as a Founding Member and get my Character Development Toolkit to help you organize all those friendships, rivalries, and romances. You’ll also score a free year in the Winterwolf Pack Milanote Team, where we’ll make sure every relationship in your story gets the attention it deserves. Let’s make those connections stand out!