By Darlene L. Turner @darlenelturner

As children, we loved to play in our imaginary worlds. We’d make up stories for our dolls, barbies, trucks, build forts and have wars, etc. If you’re a writer, I’m guessing you probably even had an imaginary friend or two, right? Confession time . . . I did.

Pee Wee lived in our bathroom, and we had great conversations every day. He never failed to make me a laugh and help me with my problems. LOL.

Today, our imaginary friends are called characters. What I love about these friends is we can craft them anyway we want—their physical traits, profession, who they fall in love with, etc. Creating characters is fun, but can also frustrate us and consume our time.

But it’s worth every minute.

Why?

The more you know your character, the more they jump off the page and into your readers’ hearts.

Here are some tips on how to make our imaginary friends real.

Visualize them

I’m a visual person and find it easier to give descriptions if I can see something in front of me. For my characters, I pick a person from my favorite TV show or movie and use them as a basis for my hero and heroine. I find a picture and post it on my board within Scrivener. Instant visual! However, be careful not to describe too much. You want readers to form their own image. This just helps me know my imaginary friends better.

Do a background check

Get out your FBI credentials and research your friend’s past. Where were they born? What were they like as a child? Teenager? Young adult? What’s their profession? Nothing is off limits. There are no sealed files in your investigation. Cross-examine and get out the lie detector. Know them inside and out.

Give them a quirk

Your protagonist needs a habit or trait that makes them distinct. It could be a phrase they repeat, an action they do when nervous or excited, or even an OCD characteristic. Perhaps your antagonist leaves the body in perfect form, ready for burial—hair combed, make-up done, arms crossed and in a prayer position. Whatever it is, make it unique.

Talk to them

It’s okay. Your family understands when you talk to your imaginary friends now. You’re a writer. It’s allowed. Sometimes when I talk out loud, it clears my head and gives my characters more depth. Try it.

Give them a secret

Shhhh…don’t tell it to anyone. Yet. Your friend needs something from their past, helping or hindering them. It forms an arc every character requires, so your readers will cheer them on. But tell their secret at the right time and place in your story.

Make them vulnerable

Everyone wants to love and be loved, which means our hero and heroine need to be vulnerable. Our characters can be stubborn, but at some point, they need to open up and take a risk. Give them the chance!

Getting to know our characters intimately will allow our imaginary friends to become real to our readers.

And captivate their hearts.

What tips have helped you in developing your characters?

Darlene L. Turner’s love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message.

Darlene won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense twice and an ACFW Genesis award. Her debut book, Border Breach, won the Canadian 2021 Word Award and placed third in the 2021 Selahs in the Romantic Suspense and First Novel categories. Lethal Cover-Up placed third in the 2022 Selahs in the Romantic Suspense category and second place in the 2022 Director’s Choice. Abducted in Alaska received an Honorable Mention in the 2022 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense Awards. She’s represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

Darlene met her husband Jeff at the turtle races in Ontario, Canada. She loves flavored coffee and plaid shirts. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.