There are so many memorable characters floating around the fiction world. The likes of Pride and Prejudice's Elizabeth Bennet, Harry Potter, and even Twilight's Edward and Bella have all been written into history by the detailed characterisation provided by their authors.
But creating in-depth characterisation, let alone a classic character, is much harder than it appears, especially in the fantasy and sci-fi genres, where a lot of authors focus on setting instead of the people who move through it.
Flat characters are fine for the bit players; but to create an intriguing protagonist the characterisation must be well-rounded not just in the writer's mind but also on the page.
Six Adjective Characterisation
This is a great building block method when it comes to making a character. Chances are there is already a very basic idea of who the character is, but this must be expanded on if they are to shine for the reader. Choose six adjectives to describe the personality of the character. It can be difficult to choose them; think about how the character will behave within the narrative. How does he or she react to a particular situation? What does this suggest about him or her? The answers to these questions should help gauge what adjectives will best describe the character. For example, a character acting as comic relief might be:
- Optimistic
- Cheerful
- Mischievous
- Forthright
- Compassionate
- Tough
Note how there is potential for these adjectives to contradict each other. These conflicts are not a problem; in fact it makes the character more human in that there are different sides to him or her. To borrow from Pride and Prejudice again, you might describe Mr. Darcy as:
- Prideful
- Intelligent
- Honourable
- Reserved
- Pessimistic
- Sober
This is not to say these are the only words that fittingly describe Mr. Darcy. However these are all characteristics he displays throughout Austen's novel. Selecting adjectives for the character also means choosing what characteristics he or she will display. Naturally this can be flexible, adjectives can be discarded and replaced if they cease to fit with the character's behaviour, but having at least six will ensure there are multiple factors that govern his or her actions.
How to Make Characters Believable
It is one thing to decide upon a character's key personality traits; it is entirely another to put them into practice. There are three main elements of a novel where in-depth characterisation can be best implemented.
- Dialogue: Think about the tone with which the character would speak in a given situation, and which words they'd be most likely to say. For example a reticent character would be likely to say as few words as possible, i.e. say 'Don't think so' instead of 'I don't think so'. A blunt character might shout insults at other person, but a more reserved character would instead choose to mutter complaints under their breath. Tailor sentence structure and speaking verbs (say,yell,howl,etc.) to fit the way the character.
- Behaviours and facial expressions: A thoughtful character might furrow their brows or scratch their head; a more action based character may instead head to the shooting range to blow off some steam. Make whatever the character does specific to them.
- Other characters' perceptions and reactions: A person can be more clearly delineated in the narrative by the impressions of other characters. Think about how one person would respond to the other. What does he think of her? What does she think of him? How do they treat each other?
In real life, a person is described by what they say, how they act, and what other people think of them. A character should be no different if he or she is to be both realistic and memorable to the reader. With the help of the six adjective systems, finding the right words and actions for characters to speak and perform will be made a whole lot simpler, and the novel's people will be much more believable for it.
