Types of Characters and How to Develop Them for Your Novel

Orson Scott Card had this great definition of what a story idea to him is and how he came up with them. He said that he often thinks of stories by coming up with a scenario and asking questions, the first one would be: How would a character react in such a situation?

They’re the star of the show, the subject, that’s why we need to get them right. We need to know them inside and out. Today we are going to start by choosing characters but also developing them.

Casting

People have diverse personalities and your characters should have some too. Let’s talk about your cast by dividing the characters into their moral.

The White

This character is a do-gooder. Whatever mistakes he makes are unintentional which still gives him an innocence and he would most likely. Guilt comes easily to the character but so does doing the right thing. His goal would be influenced by this, seeking justice, making the world a safer place but he/she would try not to kill the villain but rather to let him be apprehended by the law, if possible. The character, however, is not flawless.

A good example would be Harry Potter, although he does kill Voldemort, there is simply no other way. Note that Harry is flawed but he is also good at heart and we see it because even as a little boy of he has a strong sense of what is wrong and what is right.

Clichés to avoid: The character who doesn’t make mistakes, who is loved by everyone and always supported. Make him suffer a bit because of a mistake he made, make him lose his temper and do something wrong, make your character become less of a good character!

Also, avoid secondary characters who are too good, they can make mistakes too.

The White-Grey

The white-grey character is usually the character who tries to do good but often struggles to stick to the rules. This can be because of his upbringing, people not trusting him, his own revenge plan, significant trauma etc. The character will always struggle with morals, doing what is good and doing what is needed. What differentiates this character from the white character who has made mistakes, is that this character will want to do good but always fall slightly short. He/She can’t keep everyone happy all the time. The other characters can either accept this and feel guilty about the mistakes they make or outright reject the character.

A good example: Bilbo Baggins, by nature, he is a good hobbit but he is also, frankly, a coward who. Although the ring’s influence can even turn him into Black-grey character because he would lie for it, be greedy with it.

Clichés to avoid with this character is: The bad boy who is ‘so bad’ and breaks all the girl’s hearts but he can be so good when he wants to be and with the right motivation. To make it less cheesy try and make him draw the line. Yes he breaks all the mundane rules, he drives above the speed limit, he doesn’t pay the parking meter, a.k.a he’s reckless which means he might not try and save people he doesn’t care about but he will save those he loves. In fact, he would be so reckless and maybe cause other’s harm. This character can be convinced to do the right thing again.

The thing to remember is that the person isn’t bad, they have bad habits but they do good. Put under immense pressure they might break.

The Black-Grey

This character has a particularly hard time. What matters to this character the most is his goals but he also prices those he loves (usually abandonment issues) so he compromises mostly to do right by those around him. Usually relies heavily on the support of others to do good and questions himself. He easily distances people because ‘he’s’ simply not good enough. The character is brave since it is so hard for him to do good when the goal is desirable but he does it anyway. Fiercely protective to an unhealthy point.

Good Example: Damon Salvatore is a great example. He does everything right by Elena but ‘screws up’ as he says when he’s under a bit of pressure and he blames himself afterwards or if you hate TVD the Zemo from Captain America is another example. Zemo is a flawed man and his revenge turns him bitter and into a dangerous man. The fact that he has motives ensures that he isn’t purely evil.

Clichés to avoid: Characters who constantly dwell on not being good enough almost to the level of self-pity. It is pathetic and a low blow to make your character suffer instead mislead him. Make him think what he does is right, make him believe he is good only to find out he is not as good as he thought.

The difference between this character and the previous character is that while the previous character can be swayed from his path that he has already started, this character is like a stone. It’s already pretty hard to convince him before hand but now he’s already started, he can’t stop now. He usually has already done the reckless thing and now he’s bound. The damsel in distress who likes the dragon’s company even if he doesn’t admit it.

The Black

Also known as the bad guy, the evil, the terrible, the serial killer, the villain, the monster. Although this person can have a motive, it’s rare. This character almost breaks his back trying to do good and if he has motivation it needs to be huge. He is hard working and usually has a view of the world which is why he can be the deepest character in the story but there needs to still be a reason why he is like this, nature or nurture? Maybe both.

A good example of this character would be: Moriarty from Sherlock. He wants the world his way, rules be damned, and he enjoys himself.

Clichés to avoid: The bad guy who doesn’t feel anything. This character doesn’t have to care for much, maybe his goal and materialistic possessions, maybe even for the hero in a weird way but he needs to feel. Even Moriarty feels, he gets excited, he gets angry, he gets evil mostly. Make him feel the loss he suffers, makes him be hopeful, just make him human. We don’t need sappy feelings for him but make him feel.

Remember this character doesn’t care about the path so that doesn’t mean he just takes bad choices, he makes the easy one. He’s got a schedule to keep after all.

How do I make rounded Secondary Characters without spilling their backstory

The first thing to note is that the main character doesn’t have to be the leader of the team or the one who does all the heroic deeds to be considered the main character. It’s who you follow. The secondary characters feel like they are the life of the story, thank you very much. The do heroic deeds too, they have opinions too, the villain hates them too and they also have things to lose. I never understood this until I realised why my writing feels like I just want my main character to get more hurt but you see the secondary character can also suffer directly which causes the lead to suffer indirectly or show how they react to the main character on the brink of death see how they handle the situation.

A good example is Ron and Hermione. Their roles are so strong that you can even consider them main characters all having their lie light to shine in.

You can’t go wrong with secondary, they can be jerks but keep them rounded and your readers will love them too. A good thing to do is to write the backstory down for yourself so you know why they are the way they are but you don’t have to delve into that tale unless it drives the plot.

Getting to know

Now we need to know the character you chose, the categories are too broad to just say you know your character.

If you don’t like the layout or want to create your own, here is a list of what you might want to add:

1. Personal Information

• Name
• Age
• Living in…
• Originated from…
• Occupation

2. Personality

• Strengths (what is your character good at)
• Weaknesses (what can he work on)
• Good characteristics (the ones that make a good person)
• Bad characteristics (forms bad relationships)
• Words/ Phrases they use
• Rules they live by
• Secrets
• Fears
• Goal
• Hidden motives
• Hobbies
• Habits

3. Physical Appearances

• Picture Reference
• Weight
• Height
• Frame
• Hair and Hairstyles
• Eyes
• Skin
• Tattoos/Piercings
• Scars and Birthmarks
• Clothes
• Most prominent features
• Features he/she likes
• Features they want to change

4. Relationships

• Family
• Friends
• Admires
• Enemies
• Traits that ruin relationship
• Traits that excel relationships

5. History/Childhood:

• Type of family: Nuclear (Normal), Same sex, Child-headed, Grandparent-headed, Orphaned, Multi-racial
• Complications because of family types
• Biggest Mistake
• Biggest Success
• Biggest Regret
• Biggest Pride

6. Favourites

7. Spirituality

8. Other notes

Here are some other Articles about Character Interviews

Most thorough and more interview-ish: http://bit.ly/2iSyHJB

Essential Questions: http://bit.ly/2imBvLk

Thoughts on Questions: http://bit.ly/2iSByCb

Most Trustworthy: http://bit.ly/1UtkDlH

Methods of Getting know your Characters: http://bit.ly/2i0Tu9a