What goes into making a unique and memorable character?

William Kercher
Feb 21, 2019
2 min read

There are many tools authors use to develop the character that is right for the part they are filling in the story. In fact, the type of character is mandated by the story line, plot and how they fit into them. A Mary Poppins character would not work as an evil person in a Dean Koontz novel.

An important consideration to developing a character is their position in the story.

A secondary character can be one dimensional. All they need to do is fill one need. What ever that need is, that is their presence, their description.

A main character requires crafting and molding to get the perfect fit for the story.

Most of the ideas presented below pertain to what the author should consider a they craft their important characters.

And, to re-stress, the farther a character is from being a main, or at least an important, character, the less development needs to go into them.

Here is some of the thinking I use as I develop a character.

The Character’s Physical Characteristics.
The character’s name.

Pick a name that will help the character stick in the readers mind.
Avoid generic names like “Jane Smith” or “John Wilson.”
Pick a name that suits the character’s demeanor.
It might be easier to determine the other details of your character first and save their name for last -- after you know the character.

Do they have any scars or distinguishing marks? In one novel, I had a person who I had painted as a bad person. For no real reason, I gave him a long scar on his cheek. From that point on, he was the Scar faced man.
Think about what the character wears on a daily basis to work or around the house. That may help form the character in your mind.
What is the character’s race or nationality? This may never enter the story, but it also may help you to know your character. Create the Character’s Backstory. Have your dialogue match the character you have created.

In future Character Building Blog Posts, we will be giving you hints and tips on how to implement the items above.