Daphne Scooby Doo: How to Create a Memorable Character for Your Novel
When it comes to creating characters that readers will fall in love with Daphne Scooby Doo: How to Create a Memorable Character for Your Novel, is as much art as it is science. Whether you’re drafting the first chapter of your new novel, or looking to revamp an old draft that’s been languishing in a blue file folder for far too long, character development is key. But where many people would see a blank page or a Word document and panic, we see an opportunity to unleash our creativity and craft a world that’s uniquely ours. Creating memorable characters is not an end in itself, but rather a means of giving readers a sense of belonging in your world.
Have a clear idea of who your character is
The first step in creating a memorable character is knowing who your character is. This doesn’t just have to do with their outward personality, but also with their motivations and desires. Who is this character? What are they trying to accomplish? Why are they doing what they’re doing? This helps to ground your character in reality, and also sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Introduce your character in stages
The best way to develop your character is to plant seeds of information as you draft your novel, and then slowly but surely harvest and expand on those details as you get further into the story. Let your reader come to know your character bit by bit as they read. This will allow them to get to know your character as if they were their friend, which is a vital part of developing a memorable and relatable character.
Avoid making your character perfect
No one is perfect, and the best characters are flawed. Perfection is boring, and readers will tune out if you keep saying the same things about your character over and over again. Perfectionists have a tendency to make their characters one-dimensional, and flat-out boring. Think of the best characters you’ve ever read: Did they have any glaring weaknesses? Were there any aspects of their personality that you didn’t particularly care for? If so, take note and avoid making your character too perfect.
Be bold and unexpected
Your character’s personality doesn’t need to be conventional or “amped up,” but rather it should come across as authentic and genuine, even in little moments. Readers will sense when your character is being fake, even when they’re being kind and polite. Some of the most memorable and engaging characters are the ones that come across as genuine and honest, flaws and all.
Don’t forget to have your protagonist change and grow throughout the story
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how few stories follow through on this. It’s normal for the protagonist in your novel to go through many changes and growth spurts throughout the story, and you shouldn’t shy away from having your protagonist learn and grow from their mistakes. Readers will love rooting for a protagonist who makes mistakes, who makes mistakes that they can relate to. Readers want to be connected to your characters on an emotional level, even if it’s only for a few pages.
Help your reader connect with your protagonist
This one is kind of a no-brainer, but it’s important to keep in mind. Readers want to feel like they know your characters. Give them a sense of belonging in your world, and they’ll be far more likely to root for your characters and want to discover what happens to them next. How can you do this? By making your characters as human and relatable as possible.
Conclusion
Creating memorable characters is not an end in itself, but rather a means of giving readers a sense of belonging in your world. Readers love to feel connected to your characters, and will be far more likely to root for them and want to discover what happens to them next if you make your characters as human and relatable as possible. In order to do this, you must take into account the following character development tips: Begin with a clear idea of who your character is, introduce your character in stages, avoid making your character perfect, be bold and unexpected, don’t forget to have your protagonist change and grow throughout the story, help your reader connect with your protagonist, and lastly, don’t forget to have your protagonist change and grow throughout the story.