Getting To Know My Protagonists: What Makes An Unforgettable Character?

Posted by Jessica on February 21, 2012

Today I continue to leave behind the tried and tested route of women’s fiction and stray farther along the yet unexplored path of writing my first young adult novel. If you would consider subscribing to my updates and accompanying me on this journey, I’d be honoured! You can catch up on previous posts here

Before knuckling down to the nitty gritty of developing the plot, I’ve been spending time getting to know my characters. Actually, this is one of my favourite parts of the entire writing process. I love creating characters who are sympathetic, but also immensely flawed. We all have our faults, after all. Hopefully what I end up with are people my readers can empathise with, if not always like, but who are realistic in their strengths and weaknesses.

For me, the experience is rather like that of meeting someone you feel instinctively will one day become a good friend … or a hated enemy. When you’re first introduced, you get a general sense of their personality, whether they’re outgoing or shy, passionate or laidback. Then, as you spend more time with them, exchanging opinions and life stories, you glimpse the complexities beneath the façade. Perhaps the cheerfulness masks a deep insecurity, or the love of books betrays a desperate need to escape a troubled marriage.

This is almost exactly how my characters develop. I start by knowing one thing about them, and gradually peel back the layers to reveal their hopes and dreams, their darkest secrets and innermost thoughts, until I understand what makes them tick and how they’re likely to react in any given situation. Knowing as much about my protagonists as possible before I start writing should also help me bring their individual voices across more strongly. Of course, just because I know these people more intimately than I’m ever likely to know anyone in the real world, that doesn’t mean they won’t do something unexpected. Even best friends can surprise you on occasion, right?

In my young adult novel, I’m planning on having three protagonists, ideal for a twisted love triangle. Sixteen years old, they have been inseparable since nursery. Beyond their friendship, albeit unknown to one another, they are connected by abuse. First up is Chessie, exuberant and impulsive, determined to go away to art college and escape the dad prone to drunken bouts of violence. Next meet steady Gabriel with his love of books and ironic outlook on the world. He lost his mother as a baby and has never known anything but indifference from his father. Lastly, there’s Chris, the character who inspired me to write this novel. Though he acts like nothing touches him, his arrogance is a screen for the years of sexual abuse he’s been subjected to by his stepdad.

With three such diverse characters to work with, I have a feeling this novel is going to be both enormous fun, and incredibly harrowing. I’ve never attempted to tackle such a sensitive issue before, and something tells me the finished product won’t be for the faint hearted. Still, that’s for another day.

Writers, how is the process of creating characters for you? Do you have any methods that help you get to know them better? Perhaps you’ve invented a character you’re particularly proud of.

Readers, what do you look for in a character? Do you prefer them to be quirky and larger than life, or like the average man/woman on the street? Who are your favourite and least favourite characters of all time?

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