Creating characters that resonate with readers is an essential skill for any fiction writer. In this blog, we’ll explore how to bring characters to life using two powerful tools: the character profile and the three building blocks of dimensional characterisation. By the end, you’ll have practical steps to make your characters leap off the page. The ideas discussed here reflect some of the lessons I learned during a University of Cambridge course, 'Building Your Screenplay' - but they apply equally to fiction!
The Character Profile: A Foundation for Authenticity
A character profile is one of the most effective tools for developing your protagonist or supporting cast. It allows you to understand your character at their core, helping you craft consistent and believable behaviours.
To get to the essence of a character, divide your profile into two parts:
- Outer Presence: Focus on the physical attributes and immediate impression of your character. This includes gender, age, unique physical traits, and their overall appearance. The goal is to create a dominant impression—a concise sentence or phrase that encapsulates how others might perceive the character at first glance.
For example:
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- "Travis Bickle, aged 26, lean and hard, is the consummate loner. On the surface, he appears good-looking, but his dark eyes and gaunt cheeks hint at a life burdened with private fear and loneliness."
- Inner Presence: Dive into your character’s psychological makeup. Consider traits such as temperament, intelligence, self-image, fears, and worldview. From this, create a dominant attitude—a summary of how the character approaches life in a sentence or two.
For example:
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- "He’s haunted, like a dog that’s been beaten and caged too many times. His crooked expression speaks of survival, but there’s an eerie disquiet about him."
By blending the dominant impression and dominant attitude, you distil the essence of your character into a profile that serves as a foundation for further development.
The Three Building Blocks of Dimensional Characters
Once you have a profile, it’s time to dimensionalise your character by focusing on three essential elements:
- The Want (Goal)
Every compelling character must want something, whether it’s a tangible goal or an intangible desire. A strong want drives the character forward and propels the story. Passive characters—those who lack a clear goal—are harder to animate within a narrative.
Examples of character wants:
- George Smiley (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy): To uncover the mole in British Intelligence.
- Arthur Kipps (The Woman in Black): To resolve affairs at the Drablow Estate and save his job.
- Luke Skywalker (Star Wars): To avenge his relatives and rescue Princess Leia.
- The Flaw (Obstacle)
Flaws make characters relatable and human. A flaw can be an internal struggle, a past trauma, or a persistent weakness. It’s what prevents the character from achieving their goal easily, and it sets the stage for inner growth.
Examples of character flaws:
- George Smiley: A brilliant spy but emotionally disconnected, with a strained marriage.
- Arthur Kipps: Grief over his wife’s death clouds his judgment and impedes his work.
- Luke Skywalker: Youthful naivety makes him ill-equipped for the challenges ahead.
- The Need (Transformation)
A need represents what the character must learn or overcome to grow. This is often tied to their flaw and becomes the key to their transformation.
Examples of character needs:
- George Smiley: To let go of his devotion to the service and repair his personal life.
- Arthur Kipps: To overcome grief and rebuild his life.
- Luke Skywalker: To develop the skills and confidence necessary to defeat the Empire.
Character Change: The Heart of the Journey
At its core, storytelling is about transformation. A character’s journey often takes them from one emotional state to its opposite. This arc creates tension, growth, and resonance with the reader.
Examples of transformations:
- From naivety to maturity (Luke Skywalker).
- From grief to acceptance (Arthur Kipps).
- From innocence to experience (Jenny in An Education).
To define your character’s arc, ask:
- Who are they at the beginning of the story?
- Who do they need to become to achieve their goal?
Putting It All Together
Follow these steps to craft compelling characters:
- Create a character profile highlighting their outer and inner presence.
- Identify the character’s want, flaw, and need.
- Map their transformation—how they’ll change from beginning to end.
By understanding your characters at this deep level, you’ll create stories that not only entertain but also resonate with your readers on an emotional level.
Strong characters are the foundation of engaging fiction. This guide explores two key approaches to character development: creating detailed profiles and understanding the core elements that make characters three-dimensional.
Crafting Character Profiles
A thorough character profile consists of two essential components:
External Presence
Capture your character's physical appearance and immediate impact. Consider their age, gender, distinctive features and overall presence. Aim to create a striking first impression that readers can visualise.
For instance: "At 26, Travis Bickle cuts a solitary figure. Though conventionally handsome, his hollow cheeks and haunted eyes betray an inner turmoil."
Internal Presence
Explore your character's psychological landscape - their temperament, intellect, self-perception, anxieties and outlook. Summarise their fundamental approach to life.
For instance: "Like a repeatedly mistreated animal, he carries deep psychological wounds. His wary demeanour suggests survival against odds, yet an unsettling darkness lurks beneath."
Three Core Elements of Character Depth
- Desires and Goals
Every character needs clear motivation. Whether pursuing tangible objectives or abstract desires, this drive powers the narrative. Without clear aims, characters risk becoming passive observers.
Consider:
- George Smiley's mission to expose a traitor within British Intelligence
- Arthur Kipps's need to complete his work at Drablow Estate
- Luke Skywalker's quest to defeat the Empire and save Princess Leia
- Character Flaws
Imperfections make characters relatable. These might be internal struggles, past traumas or persistent weaknesses that hinder their progress and create opportunities for growth.
Examples include:
- George Smiley's emotional detachment and troubled marriage
- Arthur Kipps's paralysing grief
- Luke Skywalker's inexperience and impetuousness
- Growth Requirements
Characters must overcome specific challenges to develop. This often relates to their flaws and drives their transformation.
For instance:
- George Smiley must reconcile his professional dedication with personal relationships
- Arthur Kipps needs to process his loss and embrace life again
- Luke Skywalker must develop confidence and master his abilities
Character Development
Effective storytelling hinges on transformation. Characters typically journey between opposing emotional states, creating tension and reader engagement.
Common transformations include:
- The path from innocence to wisdom
- The journey from grief to healing
- The progression from self-doubt to confidence
When plotting character development, consider:
- Their starting point
- The person they must become to achieve their aims
Creating Your Character
- Draft a profile covering external and internal elements
- Define their goals, flaws and necessary growth
- Plan their transformative journey
This structured approach helps create characters who resonate deeply with readers while driving your narrative forward.