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Here's a checklist we can use to help judge whether your characters are developed and interesting/likable enough:
- Beta Reader reaction. This comes up again and again for a reason. Test the characters with your betas. If they don't seem swept away, try to figure out why and go from there.
- Does your character have both positive and negative qualities? Is your hero that you've fallen head over heels for perfect? Then make him flawed! Real people aren't perfect, and neither should your character be. I'm not just talking character arc here folks - I'm talking other attributes as well.
- Can you answer the question, what makes my character different from all the others? Can you answer it with specifics? Quirky habits are great, but they only go so far. It should reflect the distinct personality of your character. What makes Katniss so endearing? She isn't exactly easy to love. Is it her fierce love and determination to protect her sister, even at the cost of living with a mangy cat? Maybe that's part of it.
- Has the character surprised you with a reaction/action? I love it when my characters do this. Only writers really get it, but when the character has a life of his own, he will resist doing something if it isn't what he'd choose. Listen to that. If everything he does is predictable to you, it may be predictable to the reader.
I'm sure there are a million other tests. What are some ways you use to tell whether the character will appeal to others? Anything surprising up here? Discuss!!
I look for dimensionality first. What is the internal conflict of this character? If it's not easy to see, if it's not OBVIOUS, then you might need to dig a little more to bring something out. A character will great dimensionality will be impossible for the reader to look away from.
ReplyDeleteAnd you have to remember it's subjective (like everything else). One reader might love your character and someone else can't stand her. Of course if most of your beta readers fall in the second category, then you're in trouble.
ReplyDeleteI try to think of all the flaws in my sisters... and avoid those (seriously they are horribly flawed)(^;
ReplyDeleteThe beta reader is a good test. If they aren't emailing you for the next 5-10 chapters because they are totally engrossed, then something's wrong.
I find for myself, if a character is too flawed it's almost worse.
A good balance in positive and negative would be giving a character some querky personality, and let her make some bad choices (esp.in men), works. But I don't like to have my character seem too stupid either. She has to have a strong personality, and isn't going to bow down to everyone and doesn't always trust them either.
I agree with everything above! One of the biggest problems I've run into, is that I understand my characters' intentions and motivations, so I see certain aspects of them as appealing...but if a reader doesn't have that background too, they may view character traits in a different light. Betas and CPs are so important for that reason :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful reminders, Lisa. I struggle with characters, so these points are all helpful. I think #3 is especially important and one I need to pay more attention to!
ReplyDeleteI haven't thought much about #3 or 4... going back to add that to my revision checklist!
ReplyDeleteSuch great points, Lisa! I am learning to listen as described in #4. Being the strong-minded person I am, I often over-ride my characters because, "Gosh darn it. That's not what I had planned!).
ReplyDeleteI'll never forget one of your comments about a character from a beta read. You said, "She's too perfect. I don't trust her." That was an awesome lesson in balance for me.
ReplyDeleteGood list! My fist ms was full of far too perfecty characters. They annoyed the heck out of me when I started revising. Needless to say, that's a trunked novel :)
ReplyDeleteGreat list, Lisa! Thank yor so much for posting! #4 is espeicially one that I get excited about. It's like I wanna fight the characters when they run off course, but as always, they win out because that's what makes them a bit unique. The other points are what I needed to ensure I'm on the right path :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice.. I love #4... I'm battling it out with a particularly headstrong character right now, and I don't know why I'm bothering, because as we well know, he's going to do what he wants regardless of what I say :)
ReplyDeleteGAAACK!!! My character development is best represented by "stick man", and on a great day, "stick man w/hat".
ReplyDeleteWorking on it...will certainly refer here often during first/second...fiftieth revisions.
I know I've got her when I hear her voice commenting on things I'm doing during the day. It's a bit strange but I know I'm not the only one.
ReplyDeleteI am all for quirkiness, too!
Yours was the second Seinfeld video I ran into today! So funny.
Hi Lisa - Great post. I've actually asked myself if what I'm loving about my "favorite" character is going to pull the same positive reactions from a reader. I don't know if there is one answer to that, but you have provided good suggestions/points for thought.
ReplyDeleteMy Sig. Other (Gordon) wants to punch out my favorite character. :) And yet, Gordon admits he's one of the best "people" in my ms.
I totally "get" your #4 too. My antagonist truly owns his voice. :)
Happy Friday!
OMG, I totally remember this episode! Didn't it include "shrinkage?" I think it did. Anyhooo....
ReplyDeleteOf course I've struggled with this, and I think you've nailed all the reasons why. It was a big deal for me to learn that all characters, the heroes AND the villains, need good and bad qualities. Tough lesson.
Very good post Lisa, and I love the Seinfeld reference (giving away my age here). I'm learning to map out my characters BEFORE starting page one (which is insanely hard for me). But from a practical standpoint, since I come from a very dysfunctional family, coming up with character flaws is pretty easy. It's just hard for me to be patient enough to give my characters enough rope to really find themselves.
ReplyDeleteROFL. Breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE #4. I don't think I've ever considered this question when it comes to my characters, but I'll be doing so in the future. Thanks, Lisa!
Becca @ The Bookshelf Muse
I do have a question though. Is is ok to ask your beta readers why they didn't like character A (for example) and if there is anything they wish to see or feel from that character?
ReplyDeleteExcellent point. Just because we love our characters doesn't mean anyone else will. I love #4, when a character does that I know they've really come into their own and their no longer just my creation.
ReplyDeleteI love flawed characters--they're truly what makes them rise from a normal, possibly believable character (depending on the situation) to an interesting, unforgettable character. Not only that, but writing flawed characters can be just as fun as reading them. :)
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