When it comes to writing a novel, one of the most important
aspects is creating characters that are believable and relatable. After all,
readers need to be able to connect with the characters in order to become
invested in the story. As an author, it’s important to take the time to develop
your characters so that they are well-rounded and interesting. Here are some
tips for how to improve your characters in novels.
1. Give them flaws. While you want your characters to be
likable, they also need to be realistic and relatable. This means giving them
flaws and making sure that their flaws are both visible and believable.
Fleshing out your characters’ flaws will help readers better understand them
and connect with them on a deeper level.
2. Give them goals. Every character should have a goal or a
driving force that motivates them throughout the story. This could be a
physical goal, such as finding a lost treasure, or an emotional goal, such as
finding inner peace. Having a clear goal gives your characters something to strive
for and makes them more interesting and engaging.
3. Give them backstory. While backstory isn’t necessary to
understanding a character’s current motivations, it can help to provide context
and make them more realistic. Including a character’s backstory in the novel
can also give readers insight into who the character is and why they’re making
the choices they do.
4. Give them relationships. No character should exist in a
vacuum. Giving your characters relationships with other characters in the novel
can help to make them more relatable and likable. These relationships can be
positive or negative, but they should be meaningful and have an impact on the
story.
5. Give them obstacles. Every good story has obstacles for
the characters to overcome. These obstacles can take the form of other
characters, physical dangers, or even their own inner struggles. Obstacles give
your characters something to push against, and give readers something to root
for.
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