Characters are people. Often they are based
on real people. I know mine started that way. But then they develop a life of
their own. They have distinctive physical features – blue eyes, curly hair,
scars, tall, short, thin, obese, tattoos, dark skin, freckles and anything else
you can think of. They could have a limp, a lisp, a stutter, habitual
blushing – the list goes on. But whatever the combination, it’s unique. The
same way you are unique.
Why do we like some and not others?
The same reason you like some people and
not others – there’s always something that appeals to you about someone – their
kindness, their passion, their determination, their loyalty, courage, humor.
The things you like about other people are also the things you like about a character.
The main thing about a character, though,
is that in a book, they have an obstacle, a quest or a dream they want to overcome
or reach. Hence, they are often put in situations where their integrity or
spirit is challenged. They must make decisions that you may or may not agree
with, but which you want to understand. For me, I have to be rooting for a
character – wanting them to succeed, or do the right thing, or fall in love
with the right person. I guess I want to feel their hope and success.
But like people, characters always have a
flaw that holds them back – whether it’s greed, self-doubt, a fear or naivety –
something that constantly interferes with their quest. But that’s what makes
them real. For me as a writer, my greatest challenge is to make people lovable
even when they screw up – you want to forgive them and hope they’ll get it
right the next time.