A story is discovered through its characters. It is their actions that push the story foward. However, for readers to be engaged with those characters, there must be something fascinating about them beyond their actions. This is why careful thought must go into their creation, ensuring they have a proper identity.

Creating a character means shaping their identity, which consists of traits that remain consistent throughout the story. Some of these traits may be immediately recognizable, while others emerge more gradually, being subtle and complex yet no less intriguing.

– Name

The first way a character is identified is through their name. A name summarizes a character’s traits and reflects their background and personality. It should be easy to pronounce. Long, complex names may distract readers, while shorter names are more practical and easier to remember. Nicknames can suggest a deeper meaning or hidden aspects of their identity.

– Physical Traits

A character’s appearance provides visual and contextual information. In literature, this is conveyed through a description. This description offers cues about their background, habits, and self-perception. Clothing, posture, and unique features, such as scars or injuries, can hint at past experiences or social status. When describing a character, it is important to be precise. Too many adjectives can result in a vague or subjective portrayal, which may create misleading expectations or confusion. It is best to give details for clarity.

– Personality

A character’s actions are dictated by their personality. Personality is what determines a characters behavior in different situations. It is shaped by past experiences and blossoms through future actions. And the more complex the personality is, the more engaging they become, because personality isn’t static; it evolves. Growth happens when past decisions are challenged with consequences. As such, the character may act in ways they never would have before, in the form of character developmentA change in behavior of a character after an important event in the story..

– Role / Purpose

Every character in a story serves a purpose. While the protagonist usually drives the plot, other characters like antagonists and side characters also contribute meaningfully. Each character’s presence should be justified by their impact on the narrative. Even background characters help make the world feel more alive and less empty.

– Conclusion

A character’s identity is defined by many traits. By carefully developing these aspects, writers can craft characters who not only serve the plot but also make them unique and memorable for the reader.