Writing Fictional Characters to Hook the Readers
Give Readers the Tools to Make Them Care About the Story
Fiction readers like to care and worry about the characters in the stories. Without people in the story, the events are meaningless.
Difference Between Fictional People and Real People
Real people can be inconsistent and confusing. They often do things without any reasons. If writers let their story people get away with this, readers will be upset because they’ll feel cheated. In real life, people often do things “just because.” Story people need motivation to show their actions, feelings and thoughts.
Reveal the Characters as the Plot Progresses
The best way for readers get to know the story characters is to offer strong descriptions from their point of view, their actions, likes, interests, dislikes, deepest thoughts, the way they speak and how they relate to people. The plot provides the vehicle to make readers care and worry about the fictional people in the story.
Would the reader care if a bomb exploded in an empty warehouse? Probably not. However, if there were people in there, and the readers had some idea of who they were, they will be hooked.
Character Motivation and Conflict in Fiction
Writers need to show the motivation and conflict of all the main characters in their books and short stories to get the readers to care. In a romance, perhaps a woman never knew her father, and the first man she ever thought she loved abandoned her when she really needed him. That could make her fearful of falling in love again, so when another man comes along, she bolts. The motivation is often the catalyst that forms the plot or theme of the story.
Power to the Fiction Characters
If the book is plot driven, the writer takes control to manipulate the characters through the story. However, if the story is character driven, the people in the story take over with a bit of guidance from the writer to keep them from sliding off track. Getting to know the characters before writing the book or story, and their motivation and conflict will likely bring out the best plot possible.
Character Dimensions
The main characters in each story should be three-dimensional. Cardboard characters are flimsy and difficult to build a compelling plot around. No one is all good—not even the hero. According to Debra Dixon in Goal, Motivation and Conflict, “People with perfect lives are boring, and…well…frankly, they’re irritating.” No one is all bad either—and that includes the worst villain. Show this through innermost thoughts and external actions.
Sensory Detail
Use all of the senses to let the readers get to know the people in the story. Show how the hero pauses before jumping out of an airplane when the ice cold air smacks him in the face. Or when the villain enters the victim’s house, the aroma of vanilla fills his nostrils, and he’s reminded of a happy moment during his childhood.
Perhaps when the heroine pulls into town after a long absence, and she’s flooded with memories of the town she lived in until she decided to test her wings.
Sometimes it’s okay to have cardboard characters, but only when they have a very small part in the story. For example, readers don’t need to know everything about the traffic cop who keeps the hero from getting to his appointment on time.
Consistency in Characters
After finishing the first draft the story, take a breather, then get back to work. It’s time to self edit. Read the story with fresh eyes. Look for character consistency, logical motivation in every action and speech, and character growth.
Reader Immersed in Fiction
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