The Great Blogging Experiment is underway today and I thought I might get in on it. For a complete list of all participants, click here.
So, how does one create compelling characters? There's certainly a wide range of characters across the genre board from your sword-wielding fantasy hunk to your strong, but silent crime detective. But there's definitely something connecting all characters that makes readers fall in love with them: they're all going through something readers can relate to.
Maybe while sword-wielding fantasy hunk treks across the fairy lands to slay the evil dragon, he's contemplating those last biting words his father had said to him right before he left. Or maybe as super strong she-ain't-no-damsel-in-distress hacks her enemies to pieces, she's secretly hoping that all of her insecurities aren't written on her face for all to see.
Readers like to read about these exaggerated worlds where everything the protagonist does is about life or death, an eternity of perfect bliss or a short, sad life of misery, etc., but ultimately what they really like is to think that they could easily trade places with the protagonist. I.E. that the protag is a living, breathing human being who suffers from issues that conjure up memories of when we suffered from the same thing.
No one's going to care about super hot fantasy hunk if his entire existence is based on something that readers just don't buy. Like super hot girl falling head over heals in love with him with a look and finding no faults in him because they just don't exist or twenty story dragon quivering in fear before this mighty warrior because no one like him had ever challenged the dragon before, blah, blah, blah. See? It's already boring. Can you imagine a whole book like that?? *shudder*
So, IMHO, to make a compelling character, you must give him/her faults, quirks, and real problems that he/she has to work through.
What about you, dear readers? What do you think makes a compelling character?
I want a read that boring book you described...for a good laugh.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right though. You have to give them issues and flaws but then they fight themselves through it and it gives us imperfect meat bags hope. If they can do, we can too!!
Love it!!
Great addition to the Experiment! Off I go for more entries. zoomzoomzoom!!
I find that this can be tough. How do you give your hero a quality that shows a weakness or fault, without making his good traits seem inconsistent. And same with villians, if you give them characteristics and motivations that are positive, will it undermine their function as a villain. It's a very fine line.
ReplyDeleteOne of the MCs in my YA fantasy is a "tarnished knight." So she is essentially a good person but her methods are sometimes questionable, and she starts off a little bitter about her current status. She has to work through those feelings to regain her honor, aided by one of the other main characters.
ReplyDeleteIt's those flaws that make characters relatable to us - and thus, make us care about their outcome. Good post :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if I actually want to trade places with them... but the book does have to at least make me want to travel along with them! my favorite characters are like best friends. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI like the thought that a compelling character is one you'd like to trade places with. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love all the posts of The Great Blogging Experiment! I agree with you in creating flaws, it's more realistic, more believable. Great post! :)
ReplyDeleteFlaws and quirks. It's always about the flaws and quirks :)
ReplyDeleteI like that you mentioned readers wanting to think they could easily trade places with the protagonist. That's so true! There's nothing appealing about trading places with a cardboard cutout who does everything right.
ReplyDeleteSo true! My characters appear cool on the outside, but below the surface, they are struggling.
ReplyDeleteYou're exactly right! Readers have to be able to relate to the character(s) to feel compelled.
ReplyDeleteYou are right - relatability is so important with characters! If I can't see myself doing some of the same things that the character did, or at least feeling some of the same emotions, then I've got nothing to base their story on.
ReplyDeleteLove that, for so many of us, it comes down to flaws and quirks. When a character has them I can relate a lot more. :)
ReplyDeleteLove how you mention the reader has to be able to relate to the character in some way.
ReplyDeleteThought-provoking post, thanks!
~Tere
Very very true, although it is a sad thing to think that I have read books like that. *cries*
ReplyDeleteI concur! No one wants to read about someone they can never be.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog - the colors are so welcoming! Moving on :)
ReplyDeleteCompelling characters definitely need real life problems. I don't always want to become them, but rather have them as a friend. You can always tell when a character was sincerely considered, or not. Good post!
good point em! definitely need to make them flawed and relateable!
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of switching places - because it's so true. We want to have that excitement as a reader that makes us think "what would I do in this situation?". That's what makes us want to read. Even when we start a book, we're already comparing ourselves to the MC. The excitement of reaching the end is to see if our expectations of what we would do match up with the choices that MC has to make.
ReplyDeleteNo one's going to care about super hot fantasy hunk if his entire existence is based on something that readers just don't buy
ReplyDeleteCome on....there are a few women who will! :)
Great post!!
Love your point about being able to relate to your MC. Great post!!! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Flaws definitely make for more compelling characters since everyone has them.
ReplyDelete