Characterization

To create characters, you must not simply describe them physically; you must create them, piece by piece, through their speech and actions

Actions speak louder than words

What a person does speaks volumes. We can connote many things from a little boy who picks up an injured bird, carries him into the house, and places him in a box with a clean towel.

Speak to me in words

In addition to characters’ actions, their speech (and thoughts, for that matter) tells us more about them. How does he talk? Is she educated? From the north or south? From another country? Is it a child or adult? Does he stutter? Does she never finish a sentence? See?

Dress

What a person wears says a bit about who he is. He wears a business suit, the same navy one, every day. She wears only dresses with heals. He wears tattered clothes. She wears army fatigues.

Habits

The most believable characters do or say the same things over and over. Do you remember Magic Tree House? Jack always pushes his glasses into place. Annie always runs off while Jack reads a book. Habits like this, part of the character’s personality, make them come alive.

Personality

Create a fully imagined character by thinking of his likes and dislikes. Her pet peeves. His daily routine.

Desire

Everyone wants something in life. What does your character want? What’s in the way?

Stock Characters or Archetypes

Sometimes it’s useful to use stock characters because the reader can guess what that character will do.