By Bethany Klassen

You wrote your outline, you started your rough draft, you paused to go back and read the last two chapters you wrote and… you realize your main character has the SAME PERSONALITY as the one in your last book. Now what?

Has this ever happened to you? I have to admit, it’s happened to me often! I think, as writers, we all have certain character types that we like best. They’re the ones that are easy to write, or we relate with them best, or they’re the heroes of our dreams, etc.

Well, no matter how much we like writing about that one character type, we need to realize that our readers want to meet different characters in each book they read. They are there for the experience. If each protagonist is the same, every book will seem like a repetition of the last.

So, writers, we have two options: write a series (so that you can continue the story of that character you love), or learn to create unique characters.

Assuming you opted for the second choice, let’s talk a little bit about how to do just that.

Plan your character before you start writing

Often the first part about planning a character is giving them their looks. Obviously, not all people look the same. Not every guy is tall with broad shoulders and deep blue eyes. Not every girl is petite with blonde curls and sparkling green eyes. Make your characters look different from one book to the next, no matter how partial you are to one certain feature or the other.

Next, think about your character’s personality. It’s easy to plan what they’re good at, but what about their weaknesses? Every human has areas where they fail. In order to make a good, realistic character, you need to give them specific strengths and weaknesses. Write these down so that you can incorporate them into your story as a very real part of that person.

Lastly, think about your character’s motives and beliefs. Why does he do the things that he does? What motivates him to keep going? What is his outlook on life, and how does it affect his goals and decisions? These are all things that come into play in a real person’s life – so they should in a fictional character’s as well.

Draw inspiration from real people

What better way to come up with a unique character than to make them like someone you know? Think about an interesting person in your life. Okay, now imagine that person in your novel. How would they do as the protagonist? Or maybe the love interest, or the main character’s loyal friend, or maybe even the villain? (Just make sure you change the name so nobody feels awkward!)

Using a real person as a character in your book will help you to keep them unique, because that person will automatically come along with their own set of strengths, weaknesses, quirks, opinions, and characteristics.

Consider how your character would react

A book should be planned around your characters – because without them, the story wouldn’t exist. Remember to adapt your plot to best display your protagonist’s personality, goals, and growth throughout the story.

This is where you have to make sure to stay true to the character’s personality. You have already gone to the work of creating a perfectly unique individual, so do that character justice! Don’t allow him to slip back into what the cookie-cutter character would do. This person reacts differently than most. He has a different thought process. This is your chance to demonstrate that!

Show differences between characters

There may be no better way to display your protagonist’s personality than to contrast it with that of another character. Light is best revealed in darkness, and evil is portrayed most vividly in the face of good. In the same way, creating a secondary character that is very different – or even opposite – from your main character will perfectly showcase the protagonist’s personality. Don’t hesitate to create conflict between people in your book – even if they are friends. Sometimes tension between comrades can drive the plot even better than that between the villain and hero.

Avoid stereotypes

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all read a book or watched a movie with two villains – one tall and skinny, the other fat and short. Or we’ve met the character that’s small and skinny, but his genius brain makes up for his size.

Ok, sometimes these stereotypes are necessary for the story. But, writers, please don’t resort to these all the time! In real life, people don’t come from the same mold. Let’s not make it that way in our books! Put some thought into your characters and make them individualized and different from the typical villain, love interest, protagonist, etc.

As writers, our characters are a part of us! They are special people that live inside of us and that command attention in their own bookish worlds. Let’s put some thought and effort into their creation. Rome wasn’t built in a day – neither are truly amazing characters. If we want to write really great books, we must realize that the people in those books are the main part of the story. They are the ones our readers will empathize with and invest into. Every one of those characters deserve their own dynamic personality.

About the Author:

Bethany Klassen has been writing stories ever since she learned to put words on paper. Her recently published book SINS OF THE PAST is a Christian western novel that explores themes of redemption and faith. Bethany’s goal in writing is to entertain readers with action-packed books that portray Biblical truths.

You’ll find Bethany training horses in her backyard, drinking coffee by the gallons while she plots her next book, or sharing new projects with her readers on Instagram (@bethany_klassen_).

bethanyklassenbooks.com