Hey, I know how it feels just starting off writing, not knowing your voice, where to start and how to get all that information in your head out and it not be in a jumbled mess.
Well I'm gonna share some of the things I've learned from writing storie...
Hey look, its the people your entire story revolves around. This is a VERY important step that should get a good amount of your time. Referring back to the research, I like to look up names that were popular in the time era I am basing my story after. This way they feel like they really could have existed back then, and their names don't seem weird. Like, what crusader was named Kyle, lol.
Then, after I figure out their names, I work on their description. What is their skin tone, eye color, hair color, how old are they? Do they have any little beauty marks on their face, any scars or very important things they do or wear? These are important to write down before you start writing. That way you don't have to stop what you are doing later and figure it out. Also, think about their personalities, what they like or don't like and just who they are as an individual. Because, if you know all of your characters, that matter to the progression of the plot, personally it makes it easier to write dialogue, to know what kind of choices these people are more likely to make, and just over all make them more relatable to the readers.
Ex: sorry had to blur spoilers for upcoming book
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Their mental health is a big thing too. Does your MC have depression, anxiety, A.D.H.D/A.D.D, O.C.D, ect.? Do you know all the symptoms or types of what they have and how that will affect them as a character? Are they a psychopath or a sociopath? Do you know the difference between the two? It is a great idea to look these things up and see just how they affect people, and how to make your characters believable and NOT offensive to those who have those disorders or illnesses. Everyone wants representation, but they want to be represented correctly and not stigmatized.
Your characters are people too, maybe fictional, but you made them and the readers get to meet them. They become friends with them, love them, hate them, they get to know them and if you don't know them fully, how can you write good interactions, dialogue, or critical decisions that match up with the people? Sometimes you need to do what is correct for the character you made rather than simply JUST for plot.
Also, don't be afraid to go on websites and make your characters. It is fun and helps you visualize them, then later you can add them to your story so your readers can see them like you do.
