Relatable characters in a story form an essential part of any interesting storytelling. So here, I’m going to take a look at some of the most useful ways to really get a reader invested in the journey a character is going to go on, and to forge a deep, resonant connection between readers and characters.
As we explore these concepts, remember that “show, don’t tell” is essential in developing characters. Instead of explaining to readers that a character is nice, show them doing nice things. We make our own associations with the characters instead of being told what to think about them.
DIALOGUE AND INTERACTION. Characters’ speech and the way they interact found in the dialogue can disclose a lot about them. So dialogue should come naturally and reflect the character’s background, age and personality. For instance, a teenage character will have a different way of talking compared to an older character.
Do note, the reader does not always have to approve of what the character thinks and does, though he/ she MUST be able to identify with the character. The reader should even know why the character does something reprehensible. Sometimes you need characters that the reader truly hates at times. But it’s the “meh” ones that create a problem.
The mind
Your stories will be consumed by human beings. When building a character, it is important to know what a reader will connect with and relate to in terms of why a character is doing what they are doing. First, learn basic human psychology.
Monsters should show identifiable human emotions and motivations. That doesn’t mean they have to be likable, but their actions should have understandable reasons behind them. For example, a character may avoid situations out of fear, making them relatable to anyone who has experienced fear.
Give your characters a blend of weaknesses and strengths. Perfect characters are difficult to identify with and frequently tedious. Characters who screwing up, learn, and grow are more interesting. Maybe the character is brilliant but socially inept, or courageous but rash. That balance makes them more human.
Even the opposite views all contribute to a variety of different perspectives and experiences. Your characters shouldn’t all have the same background or hold the same beliefs. But diversity lends richness and depth to your story — your background, your experiences — that allow thousands of readers to see themselves in a reflection of the experience you create.
Use sensory, emotional — even painful — language. You can create a strong connection through the brightly drawn observations, sounds, smells, feelings, tastes, and experiences felt by a character, This creates greater immediacy and relatability to all of the character’s experiences. It should be as if the reader is present.
Crafting backstories
Importance of Backstories in Storytelling When you have a complete history of your characters, it can help you understand who they are now, and why. You do not need to provide complex explicit information always but it greatly enhances the immersion and realism of your storytelling. For instance, a distrustful character could have had past betrayals. This makes it real and relatable. The key here, as always, is to show, not tell, wherever you can.
This is one area where Word Weaver Pro excels. In the character profile, any sorts of info about your character can be posted and even a photo. That information is then accessible wherever it is you’re writing about that character. It can be a huge assist in consistently keeping the complexities of a character in the writer’s mind when writing what they say and do.
Internal conflicts and goals
Explore the nuances of internal battles. Characters struggling with internal conflicts or moral quandaries can be very relatable. The best characters that we all connect with have inner torment, whether it’s self-doubt, ethical quandaries or deep inner fears. Your characters should have relatable goals and motivating factors; All too relatable themes of love, success, acceptance and revenge are far more relatable than the experiences or desires of the average person.
Allow characters to develop and change. Characters, like people, change over time. It is this evolution of a character based on what happens in the story that adds to their realism and relatability. Your story will include some measure of achieving their goals, or a massive shift in objectives.
The reader’s perspective
And finally, remember the reading experience. Consider what they know and what they don’t, and how they may connect with each character. Sometimes, leaving something for the reader’s imagination can make a character more compelling.
Q: How should I write relatable characters in fiction?A: The song and dance of creating relatable characters in fiction would take a whole novel to explain. Through this, they can create interesting and relatable characters with complex emotions, struggles, and growth — elements that authors can use to build a multi-faceted character that readers would easily participate in and remember. Remember, the goal here is to have your characters mirror your readers, a connection that makes its impact long after they turn the last page.
