1. What’s your character’s purpose?

Give your character motivation that helps to drive the story.  Perhaps create a backstory that influences the actions of your character and helps to explain why they are on the mission that they are on.  Figure out what their beliefs are, morals, how they think and why they were placed on the journey they are on.

2. Make your characters human

Be sure to paint a clear picture for the reader of who the character is. Include what they look like, why they are who they are, who or what made them the way they are. Try using character flaws, strengths, fails and achievements to make them more realistic. The better picture that you paint for your readers to see, the more they will be able to picture the character as a real, living breathing person and form a connection.

3. Create a journey for your character

As your story progresses, your character should develop, grow, take steps backward and change.  Don’t just describe who they are in the beginning and have them remain the same. Like real people, your characters need to progress towards a general outcome.

4. Create depth

Characters shouldn’t be two-dimensional beings.   Try having your characters play off each other, encounter different issues and explore their surroundings.  You want your characters to be three dimensional in the sense that they take up space and flush out the storyline, events, and plot.

5. Avoid stereotypes

Humans are complex beings so don’t try to pigeonhole characters or force them to be “normal”. Yes, we all have qualities that are similar, but we also have major qualities that make us different. More readers will connect with your characters if they find unique qualities that are relatable to themselves.