Thinking About Character Roles in Fiction Writing
by Mary Kole | Former literary agent, now a freelance editor, writing teacher, and IP/story developer for major publishers and creators.
Developing believable and relatable characters and character roles is one of the most important elements of fiction writing. After all, it’s the characters that will draw readers into your story and keep them engaged until the very end. But creating character roles that readers can connect with and relate to is no easy feat. To help you bring resonant characters to life in your fiction writing, here are some tips on how to develop engaging characters and character roles for your novel.
Start With a Profile for Character Roles
One of the best ways to practice developing character roles is to create a character profile for each person that’s going to factor into your plot. This profile should include physical descriptions, personality traits, hobbies, career aspirations and more. The more detailed you make this profile, the better—it will help you develop a deeper understanding of how this character will fit into your larger character roles, and create a more realistic portrayal of them in your story.
But don’t just stop at the superficial elements! What drives your character is actually key to developing juicy character roles.
Remember Your Character's Motivation
Character motivation is key when it comes to character roles. If multiple characters want the same thing, then they each have to attack that desire in different ways and have different reasons for wanting what they do. If you find that you have multiple people playing similar character roles, you need to go back to the drawing board and reconsider.
Every action taken by each of your characters should be driven by a unique character objective and motivation. And these characters need to fit into different character roles—for example, if a character’s motivation aligns with the protagonist, their role might be that of an ally. If they align with the antagonist, they might have character roles like henchman or foot soldier. Whether your character wants power, money or recognition, having a clear vision of their ultimate goal will help you craft realistic dialogue and actions for them throughout the story.
Don't Rely On Stereotypes in Character Roles
When writing fiction, it’s easy to fall back on stereotypes when creating characters and character roles—but resist this urge. Instead take the time to craft unique personalities for each character and give them qualities that set them apart from other characters in similar roles or serving similar functions. Readers are always more engaged with characters who have many layers and don’t fit into stereotypical boxes.
You can also offer readers a twist or a surprise by having someone switch character roles or have a change of heart (this should be motivated by an event or action in the plot, of course). Think about the character roles that each person in your story plays, and the unique arc that each character has. Characters aren’t static—remember that they change over the course of a story as well. This is why we recommend writing a novel outline, so you can keep all of these moving parts in mind.
A strong cast of dynamic characters can be incredibly rewarding for both writers and readers alike—so don’t underestimate the importance of good character development when writing your novel. Slot characters into their character roles but be open to the characters telling you what they want to do. Keep your character roles in mind, but consider this approach as a starting point for fleshing out your fictional ensemble.
Elevate Your Storytelling
Wherever you are in your writing journey—from an initial outline to a draft to pitching your project—the experienced team at Good Story Editing can take your work to the next level.