Writing Tip: Introducing Characters

How to Introduce Characters

The way you introduce a character to the reader is very important. That first view of a character must make them character interesting enough that the reader to want to know them. Some of the best ways of introducing characters:

1. Action -- Show a character doing something that will later be seen as part of his emotional make-up. Example - Frank stumbled into a bar and while he waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness, he wiped the dripping sweat from his brow and neck. When the bartender asked for his order, Frank said in a raspy voice, "A coke please, lots of ice."

2. Action plus dialogue. Characters can introduce other characters with dialogue. Examples:

• "I'm Bill Sullivan, you damn machine. I work here. Check the voice print so I can come in."

• Tom sat at the bar. The door opened, a swirl of cold air moved through the room and lifted his papers from in front of him spread them across the dirty floor.

"Lopez," Tom yelled, "you old bastard, you always make my life difficult."

3. Peripherals. Introducing a character in this way lets you tell about the character while introducing them and giving a hint about their personality. Normally, this can be used to tell the reader about a secondary character, not a minor character.

An example:

On the man's lab coat, he had penned in his name, Bob Smith. He did this so no one would steal it. From that, we can infer several things.

• He works in a lab.

• Bob's lab made money, but not so much that he could buy new cloths.

• He’s insecure and a bit odd.

The importance of properly introducing your characters can not be over-stressed.

Do not simply write that a character walked into the store. Give context and a bit of humanity to the character. Make the reader feel a connection with them.