Writing Unforgettable Characters

By Tammy L. Grace

As a reader, I am always drawn to characters in books. I remember characters from books I read decades ago, like Scout and Atticus Finch, Anne Shirley, Jean Valjean, and Hercule Poirot. As a young reader, I dreamed of becoming a novelist, crafting characters as unforgettable as those I still admire.  

As a writer of over forty published novels, I strive to create unforgettable characters who draw readers into my novels. To achieve this, I dedicate considerable time to sculpting characters. It’s important to flesh out my protagonists and give them a compelling life and backstory, one that propels them to the first page where the reader will meet them. Much of this backstory will never make it into the novel, but it gives me a strong foundation and the ability to know how my character will react in a variety of situations.

Characters must be captivating, layered, authentic, and strong. By strong, I mean that their essence, who they are, intrigues the reader. When the reader meets the character, they want to know more and find the character interesting enough to keep reading.

I write women’s fiction, which is a very character-driven genre and I also write a murder mystery series with a bachelor private detective as the main character. The mystery genre leans heavily on plot, yet my readers enthusiastically express their deep investment in my main characters. In addition to weaving a twisty plot, I want to give my detective a compelling back story and relationships that help the reader care about him. 

Readers must connect with characters to make them unforgettable. For my women’s fiction series, I always begin with a character. Not only do I give her physical attributes and often find a photo of a woman to use as visual inspiration, I spend lots of time with her before I plot the story so I get to know her and what drives her. I delve into her personality and what makes her unique. Her strengths, along with her flaws, make her a relatable person. Often, I endow my characters with a distinctive skill or talent that shapes their identity. Other times, I give them a specific flaw or a belief, true or not, that defines them or impacts their choices and life. 

The women I depict are typically in midlife, boasting a vibrant tapestry of experiences. They are usually at a crossroads and facing something big, something new, or something that creates stress. Their story is how they tackle this new challenge, or conflict, and by the end of the book, how they’ve changed in doing so.

Sometimes, their experiences and choices from the past brings them to this new situation, while other times, it’s beyond their control and they’re forced to deal with it. What’s crucial is their rich history, which guides their reactions to new challenges. Whatever the situation they find themselves in, it needs to resonate with readers. Readers need to relate to the character’s fears, excitement, and anxiety to invest their time in the story. 

Complications are key to driving the character and the story. They can be simple and external like missed flights, inclement weather, and changed plans, or deeper and more daunting like the death of a loved one. Complicated relationships, whether they be familial, romantic, friends, foes, or mere acquaintances provide a buffet of emotions, conflict, and turmoil that authors use to deepen the character’s journey. 

Women’s fiction is all about that emotional journey, so the reader needs to feel everything the characters is experiencing. An intimate bond with the character is imperative, drawing the reader into the story’s depths. Many times, readers comment and tell me they feel like they’re right there with the character in my story. They are fully invested and see, hear, smell, taste, and feel everything she does. I contend that the emotional resonance is supreme. I want my readers to be emotionally connected to my characters, so much so that they laugh, cry, and gasp with her.

As an author, I strive to give my readers an escape, where they get to spend time in the world I’ve created and immerse themselves in the emotions that impact my character and compel her on her journey. I aim for readers to plumb the depths of despair with my character, then soar with her at the glimmer of hope or joy. 

My readers frequently tell me my characters feel like beloved friends, signaling I’ve fulfilled my role as an author. I write series, so it’s especially important that my readers are invested and want to spend time with my characters. I want to leave them longing for more.

In summary, it’s critical to weave a rich backstory for characters. Along with the past experiences, make use of flaws and strengths to craft multi-dimensional characters who relate to readers. To establish a strong emotional connection between your character and the reader it’s essential to create emotional depth and genuineness in your character. Lastly, use both external and internal conflicts and complications to allow your character to evolve and advance her through the character arc in your book.  

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Tammy L. Grace is a USA Today bestselling author of women’s fictions, family sagas, mysteries, and Christmas stories. She’s known for writing perfect escapes, unforgettable characters, and binge-worthy stories. She’s also a huge dog lover and includes them in all her books.

When Tammy isn’t working on ideas for a novel, she’s spending time with family and friends or supporting her addiction to books, tea, and chocolate. She and her husband make their home in Nevada and have one grown son and a spoiled golden retriever.

Tammy invites you to subscribe to her newsletter at www.tammylgrace.com/newsletter and she’ll send you a free interview with all the dogs in her Hometown Harbor Series as a thank you gift.

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Category: How To and Tips