Let’s talk about why authentic character traits really matter to readers. Think about it: when you meet someone with a magnetic personality in real life, you’re drawn to them, right? It’s the same with the characters in the stories we love. Characters who feel real don’t just fill space in a story—they linger with us, sometimes long after we’ve finished the last page.
Take someone like Stu, a guy from a small town in Texas called Arnette. That place shapes who he is, almost like it’s a character too. Stu’s story is soaked in reality—poverty, loss, and quiet emotions. He’s not just written that way; he feels like someone we could actually know. He happens to be one of my favorite characters, too!
When writers focus on character traits grounded in real-life experiences—maybe a quirky habit or a tough past—it’s not just about giving depth. It’s about reflecting the messiness and richness of life. Authenticity is what turns characters into people who step off the page and into our world.
To really capture believable characters, we need to be good observers of the people around us. Watching how people react to joy, conflict, or sadness gives us the material to create characters that hook readers in, not just with their big speeches or dramatic moments, but with their everyday decisions, those subtle glances, or hesitant smiles. That’s what makes them feel undeniably human.
Crafting Characters with Conviction: Learning from Atticus Finch
Few characters have stood the test of time quite like Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. His quiet strength and unwavering morality don’t just anchor the novel—they make him someone we can admire and relate to. He’s not just defined by the choices he makes, but also by the ideals he represents.
Creating characters with strong convictions is about more than just giving them a belief system. It’s about showing how they wrestle with sticking to those beliefs when it’s tough. Characters like Atticus are memorable because, while they hold fast to their principles, they’re not perfect. They feel real because they’re complex, blending strength and vulnerability in a way that feels deeply human.
Don’t worry too much about making your characters overly moral or preachy. What matters is crafting characters who face real dilemmas and act in ways that feel true to who they are, even when it’s messy or unexpected. Look to your own beliefs or philosophies when creating a character’s moral code. The key is consistency—characters stick with us when they act in line with their values, even when it’s hard.
Embracing Flaws and Fears: Making Characters Human
Let’s be honest, perfection is boring—especially when it comes to characters. What makes a character believable isn’t their lack of flaws, but how they struggle with them. It’s their fears, mistakes, and inner conflicts that bring them to life.
Think about the people you know. Everyone has their fears and imperfections. When you capture that in your characters, they stop feeling like just words on a page and start feeling like real people. It’s about balancing their struggles with their strengths—showing that they mess up just like the rest of us.
So, don’t shy away from your characters’ flaws. Maybe a protective parent is overly strict, or a brave hero is terrified of intimacy. These traits don’t weaken your characters; they make them real. Give them quirks that make them unique—maybe they talk too much when they’re nervous or eat junk food when they’re stressed. These little details help bring them to life.
Of course, you don’t want to overload them with flaws. Balance is key. For every weakness, show a redeeming quality. Maybe that over-stressed boss volunteers at a shelter, or the shy nerd has an infectious laugh. It’s this balance that turns characters from a set of traits into someone who feels like a person you’d actually know.
From the Page to the Heart: Creating Characters that Stick
Here’s the secret to creating characters that people remember: it’s not just who they are when we meet them, but who they become. Characters that go through real growth or transformation are the ones that stay with us long after we’ve finished the book. Think about Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice or Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. Their journeys make them unforgettable.
A strong narrative voice can create a connection between your readers and your characters. It’s like having a mutual friend who says, “You’ve got to meet this person!” Decide how much of your character’s inner thoughts and struggles to reveal. Sometimes, it’s those quiet moments of internal conflict that pull readers in the most.
And if you really want your characters to leave an impression, listen to your readers’ feedback. Sometimes they’ll pick up on things about your characters that even you didn’t notice. That’s part of the magic of storytelling—your readers will engage with your characters in ways you might not expect.
At the end of the day, the real test of a great character is the discussions they spark. When people argue about what a character would or wouldn’t do, you know you’ve created something special. Layering your characters’ interactions with others—beyond just love interests or antagonists—helps make them feel even more real.
I hope this gives you some insight into bringing your characters to life. Remember, your fictional creations can feel as real and meaningful as the people we meet in everyday life. By tapping into the quirks, desires, fears, and growth that make us human, you can create characters who stick with your readers long after the story is over.
Check out some of the books mentioned in this article:
The Stand by Stephen King
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens