Writing Fiction: Developing Character

Having strong characters is the hallmark of great fiction. Imagine successful stories that have stood the test of time. The plots make these stories successful, but the characters are what will make, or break, a piece of fiction. Joyce Carol Oates is undoubtedly one of the most famous American writers, and what makes her pieces Pulitzer Prize worthy is the complexity of her characters. Her story lines, especially her short stories, are oftentimes metaphorical, and every detail of her characters function as a building block to their complexity.

An example that comes to my mind of one of Oates’ infamous characters is Arnold Friend in Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? Even his name, Arnold Friend, is an anagram for “an old friend.” His character is bold, uncanny, and haunting. I read that story about four years back, and that character still sticks out in my mind. This is where Oates has achieved notoriety in the writing world; her characters are unforgettable. If you are trying your hand at fiction, put the necessary time into developing strong characters. Here are a few tips to help create rich, complex characters in fiction:

Reading Helps Writing

As a writer I know it’s easy to just delve into the writing process blindly. You know that you were meant to be a writer since birth practically, and you’ve read a few good stories, so you are ready to achieve success as a writer. Read some more. The single most useful piece of advice that I could give to any aspiring fiction writer is to read great fiction. See how authors have developed their characters- what devices they use, what keeps you reading. Take Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice for instance. While the plot is engaging and romantic, it’s the characters that readers fall in love with. Who could forget Elizabeth’s careful cleverness, Mr. Darcy’s haughty facade, or Mrs. Bennett’s ridiculousness? If you want to write good characters, get to know some of fiction’s best characters.

Show Don’t Tell

It is a mistake that every fiction writer makes in the beginning. Instead of introducing your characters to your readers, allow them to introduce themselves. Take Mr. Darcy that I mentioned before as an example. It would not have been effective for Austen to just say that Mr. Darcy was haughty. Instead, she let his actions and words form that character trait. If your character is intelligent academically, don’t just say that they are intelligent, show your reader they are through the character’s dialog and actions. When letting your characters speak for themselves, you will allow your reader to envision that character in their own mind. The point of view that you choose for your story will also limit telling over showing.

Use Familiar Characters

If there is someone in your life that has a bold personality and complex character, use them as inspiration. Chances are if you find them fascinating and engaging, your readers will, as well. This is not to say that you have to use every aspect of their personalities, but use the creative license you carry as a writer and borrow from the characters you have met in your own life. We may never know for sure for I’m confident enough to say that some of the characters we love as fiction are probably based partly on the personality traits of someone the author has known in his or her life. Draw inspiration from the people around you. This will give your characters a realistic quality that readers will identify and appreciate.

No one is All Good or All Bad

This rule applies primarily to villains, but holds to true to your story’s saints, as well. No character can be all good, or all bad. If you have a nasty character, give the character some redeeming traits. This is where believability comes into fiction. The first goal as a writer is to suspend your audience’s disbelief. Your reader must have a realistic presentation of your characters for them to be believable. Even the best of characters have weaknesses and even the worst of characters have redeeming qualities. This is what makes us human, and will ultimately make your characters seem real to your readers.

There are many tips out there from writers on how to develop characters in fiction. A good website that offers more tips for character development is writerswrite.com. This website showcases many unconventional ways to develop character, so that you can make the most of the characters that will tell your story. Above all, don’t give up. As a writer, fiction is the hardest genre for me to write because I have to leave the comfort zone of my own thoughts and knowledge, and get creative in writing. With practice, though, you will grow as a writer and you will learn your own tips and tricks for making your characters and stories engaging.

Sources:
brainstorm-service.com
writerswrite.com