When I first started writing my book, I thought creating characters would be one of the easiest parts. Give them a name, decide what they look like, give them a personality, and move on. Easy, right?

Hate to break it to you, but that’s not how it works.

I realized that creating a character is about a lot more than deciding what they look like. Characters need their own personalities, habits, goals, fears, and little details that make them feel like actual people. Sometimes, I even end up changing things about a character because the way I originally imagined them just doesn’t feel natural anymore.

Starting With a Character

When I create a new character, I usually start with the basics. I think about their personality, what they want, and how they fit into the story.

One of the first things I think about is their backstory. Are they confident? Quiet? Funny? Serious? What made them that way?

I also think about what makes them who they are. What do they want more than anything? What would they be willing to do to get it? What are they afraid of?

Those questions help me understand who the character is beyond just their name and appearance.

The Little Details Matter

You would never guess how many tiny details go into creating a character.

Things like what they say when they’re nervous, what they always carry with them, what makes them laugh, or even something as simple as how they react when someone annoys them can make a character feel more… alive.

Sometimes these details never even become important to the plot. But I still like knowing them because they help me understand how my characters might react in different situations.

For example, if a character is nervous, they might start talking too much, play with something in their hands, or avoid eye contact. Instead of simply writing, “They were nervous,” I can show it through their actions.

Characters Can Change

Just like my story has changed, my characters have changed too.

A character might start out with one personality, but after writing a few scenes, I might realize that something doesn’t feel right. Maybe they would react differently than I originally planned, or maybe their past needs to change to make their choices in the story make more sense.

Sometimes a character who was supposed to be a smaller part of the story becomes much more important. Other times, a character might seem more “behind-the-scenes” than “star of the show.” 

Changing a character doesn’t mean I created them wrong the first time. It just means I’m learning more about them as I write.

When Characters Surprise Me

One of my favorite things about writing characters is when they do something I didn’t expect.

Obviously, I’m the one writing the story, so technically I’m the one deciding what they do. But sometimes I’ll be writing a scene and suddenly think, “Wait… they wouldn’t actually do that.”

That’s when I know I need to rethink the scene.

The more I write, the better I understand my characters. Their personalities start influencing the choices they make, and those choices can sometimes lead the story in a completely different direction.

Bringing Characters to Life

Creating characters isn’t just about giving someone a name and putting them into a story. It’s about figuring out who they are and why they matter.

I’m still learning how to create characters that feel real, and I’m sure my characters will continue to change as I keep writing my book. But that’s one of my favorite parts of the writing process.

A character can start as nothing more than an idea in your head and eventually become someone who feels like they’ve always existed.

And honestly, that’s pretty cool.

Who is your favorite fictional character, and what makes them feel real to you?

– Diya