Do you like reading fiction novels? If so, of course, a visit to a bookstore is an activity that you routinely do. Unfortunately, often the burning passion to bring home bags of new novels is often quenched by the fact that the characters in most of the books you find are downright boring! In fact, no matter how interesting the plot of the story, you still can't read it to the end because of the weakness of the characters in the novel. While you can't save published novels, you can save stories that are or will be made. Want to know how to create a fictional character that is interesting and relevant to readers? Read on for this article!
Step
Method 1 of 1: Building a Fictional Character's Personality
Step 1. Create a simple profile based on the following categories:
Name, Age, Gender, and Occupation. All of these categories will influence all the decisions of the characters in your story. First, create a profile of the main character in your story based on that categorization. For example, the main characters in your story are: Jack, 15 years old, male, a gang member. Facts about Jack's age, gender and occupation are important elements that will influence his personality. After reading these facts, you will most likely immediately assume that Jack is a bad boy dealing with drugs and other negative things, right?
Step 2. Choose a suitable name
Even the character's name can affect his personality, you know! For example, a character like Jack who is a member of a gang will most likely have a nickname. What if you gave him the nickname Tweezer? Is the name Tweezer more suitable for a gang member than Jack? Usually, fantasy stories have characters with names taken from Greek mythology such as Demetrius. Meanwhile, science fiction stories often have characters named modern and related to technology. Match the character names to your story genre! Be creative freely!
Step 3. Create a longer profile
Create a Tweezer background; how long has he been in the gang? Why did he decide to join there? What is his wish? What's the fear? What is the purpose of his life? Take advantage of the environment and events around Tweezer to shape his personality.
Step 4. Form a more complete personality
How has Tweezer's background influenced his personality? Has he ever experienced the loss of a loved one? If so, what was the event that made him join the gang? Did he become a gang member because he wanted to become a stronger person and be able to protect those closest to him? Think of Tweezer's biggest flaws that may stem from its background. Take advantage of these flaws to develop the Tweezer personality. Remember, a strong character is one that is unique, memorable, and relevant to the reader.
Step 5. Insert Tweezer into the plot of the story
Think about the beginning and the end of your story. After that, try to create another character who will later become a “Tweezer opponent character”; ideally, the antagonist should be as similar as possible to the Tweezer character, but with some significant fundamental differences. For example, the antagonist character could be a friend or partner in the Tweezer gang. As the story develops, create other characters that support the plot and are relevant to the reader.
Step 6. Continue to do character development until your story is complete
Do this process until you have created a gang leader character, Tweezer's best friend, Tweezer's crush, and other gang member characters. Do the same process for other important characters in the opposing gang, and important characters in Tweezer's life (for example, Tweezer's parents). Remember, the more important a character is, the more complex and detailed the character development will be.
Keep the character balance. Don't just create specific characters to fulfill your story; Also show how the main character, Tweezer, interacts with them. Undoubtedly, the plot of your story will be stronger and richer. To maintain character balance, try choosing one character and placing it in several different scenarios. For example, do an experiment to determine which type of character is more interesting and relevant: a rich girl with a cheerful and happy personality or a country girl with a similar personality? Don't be afraid to experiment with character balance because, at its core, this process is an important key to enriching your character and story
Tips
- Don't make characters too perfect. In other words, make sure your character has had weaknesses or mistakes in the past. For example, Tweezer may have killed someone in the past and not been jailed after; as a result, other innocent people have to suffer the consequences. Remember, no one is really good or really bad; Even the antagonist must have a positive side in him!
- If you're having trouble creating a personality for your character, try looking for inspiration from astrology, which is widely discussed in popular books and the internet. You can also create characters based on their personality types according to the Jungian personality test. Also determine the basic characteristics for each character; for example, Tweezer always ends his sentences with the phrase 'you know?', or has a tendency to clear his throat and clear his throat before speaking.
- Position yourself as a character struggling with conflict. How did you react? For example, if you as a Tweezer were being bullied by members of the opposing gang, what would you do? Most likely you will try to fight so as not to look weak in front of your gang mates, right?
- Question each character you create and their actions to make it easier for you to continue the story.
- Remember, the name is a very important element. For that, make sure the name you choose can reflect the character's personality. First, try to write down all the names that come to mind. After that, say the names aloud and ask the opinion of those closest to you about a name that seems appropriate; Also ask them to choose their favorite names from the list you created.
- Keep the character intact. Make sure all the words and actions of the characters are coherent with their plot and background. Ideally, the story you create is the result of the actions and decisions of each character in it. Don't think otherwise; in other words, don't even adjust the character's personality to the story plot that you have made before.
Warning
- Don't copy well-known and published characters like Harry Potter. Be careful, you can be accused of plagiarism!
- Don't steal names from other books, even if their traits are different from the characters whose names you stole. If readers become aware of your actions, you will still be accused of plagiarism and risk facing legal action.
