Writing stories is very exciting, it is the only time you can bring your imaginations to life. But there is a way you must do it to make your readers feel what you are feeling. Let them get attached, let them love what you show in your story.
When you read a story, what makes you remember it days later?
What makes you feel like you have to read that story over and over again? it’s not always about the plot; it’s the people inside, the characters. The way a character smiles when nervous, the way they behave, the dreams that keep them awake at night, or the very small flaws that make them human. Realistic characters brings your writing to life. It makes your readers feel something and that’s what keeps them interested.
If you’re writing fiction, one of the best ways to draw readers in is by creating believable, relatable characters. In this post, I’ll share simple tips to help you bring your characters to life.
So how do you make your characters feel real and memorable , whether you are writing a short story , a novel , or even a blog fiction series? Let’s explore.
1. Give Them Clear Goals and Motivations
What does your character want, and why? Their decisions should reflect their desires or fears. the character’s goals must be clear and understandable. Make sure readers get the concept. Every real person wants something and every real person is afraid of something.
your character’s goals and fear develops the tension that drives your story.
- A teenager in school who dreams of becoming a musician but fears disappointing his parents.
- A detective who wants justice but fears losing his loved ones.
- A young boy who wants love but fears rejection.
2. Add Flaws and Strengths
Nobody’s perfect. Maybe your character is brave but stubborn, or smart but shy. Balance makes them feel real, using behaviors which are mostly common around the world and more relatable.
3. Make Dialogue Natural
Dialogue is one of the best tools for showing who your characters really are.
Avoid making everyone sound the same or speak with perfect grammar. Think about it.
For example:
- Their background { education, region, culture}
- Their mood or personality [confident, shy, funny, rude}
“I’d like a cup of tea aight”, sounds different from “I told ya that I wanted a cup of tea “
Both mean the same thing, but each one reveals a different kind of person.
People don’t speak in perfect grammar. Use short phrases, emotions, and interruptions to mimic real conversations. This also makes the story interesting and more realistic.
4. Show, Don’t Just Tell
Instead of saying, “He was angry,” show him slamming a door or going silent. Instead of telling your readers, “He was angry”, show it:
” His hands trembled as he slammed the book shut”
These small actions make readers feel what the character feels.
5. Let Them Grow
Characters should change over time. Show how they learn, fail, love, and lose.
A story is a journey and every journey changes the traveler. By the end of your story, your characters should not be the same as when they began. Maybe they learned to overcome their fears, forgave someone, or finally accepted who they are.
6. Understand Their Backstory
Even if you don’t write every detail, you should know where your character comes from.
Ask yourself:
- What was their life like growing up?
- What is their happiest memory?
- What is the one thing they regret the most?
These details build how they think and act. A character who grew up with nothing might save every coin. One who lost someone might avoid attachments. Tiny choices like these make them believable.
The best characters feel like real people. Think of your character as a friend you’re still getting to know, and let their personality unfold naturally. so next time you sit down to write, don’t just create characters , bring them to life.
Interesting Stories 