How to Write a Good Wattpad Fanfiction

Chapter One: Characters

(All examples of fictional characters are from Steven Universe by Rebecca Sugar)

All stories need a main character. The main character needs to be developed through the story, not in the beginning. It is boring to know everything about the character before you even start the book. It leaves no room for the character to reveal something the reader doesn't know about them. We all expect something before it happens due to the introduction of the character.
For example, you might say that your character is abused. We'll expect that the character will be hurt soon in the story.

  In the first chapter of stories, the character has a shown personality. It can be how they act when a problem rises from how the act around people. This is called a first impression.

First impression gives a good sense of what someone will do or who that person is. We all create impressions of people when we first meet them, it's how we function. Your main character needs to show some sort of personality in the first chapter so the reader can develop who he/she is.

It's always good to show personality, the reader will begin to attach to the character mentally. Thus making it easier to rip their heart out when the big conflict comes, not literally of course.
 
  Your story will become more enticing with a character that the reader does not know everything about. The character can be normal at school then come home to a complete monster of a parent without having to give it to the reader. It gives room for the reader to question the character.

Character Flaws: Nobody is perfect, it's impossible. When writing, having the character makes mistakes is good. It leaves room for the conflict to be shown.

Stories with perfect characters are boring, there's no suspense. We all know that he/she will beat the bad guy! Have you ever read a story with an interesting character that makes no mistakes? Mistakes are okay!

The main character can have bad personality traits, it will be interesting when he/she has the final showdown with the antagonist. What will they do? How will they react? This will give an amazing story, the readers will be enthralled.

For example, let's say that your character can hold a grudge for an extreme amount of time. What will happen when he/she meets a person who hurt them a long time ago? How will they react when they discover the new character is their new roommate? How will that character make it up to your's?

Backstory: All characters need a background, good or bad. It may affect how a character will react to something or someone. They can't  hate another character for no reason. The reader will wonder why the character did something. This leaves room for the character to develop later on. The backstory connects to the character's personality and actions.

Descriptions: No one really cares what the character is wearing. You should not describe his/her outfit unless it is vital to the story. The reader will likely guess what your character is wearing due to their personality. It is good to leave room for the reader to think. Usually when a story is too wordy we tend to skip paragraphs.

However the character can be described by someone else or in third person. Mostly of their unusual features or moods.

Your character can be bubbly and ecstatic  all the time, no matter what they have to face. Until one day they come to school with a tired look and a black eye. The reader will be drawn in and wonder what happened to them.

Also, they don't have to look absolutely gorgeous everyday, especially if they're a teen. Use puberty to your advantage.

Habits: Your character needs flaws and personality of course, but how have the shown? What do they do daily that's strange or irritating? Habits include what they do when they're bored or how the react to something.

  It's expected by the reader, giving them a good idea of how the character goes through the day. This is okay, it'll give room for your character to develop over time. Habits always can be changed.

I'll use Pearl from Steven Universe, by Rebecca Sugar as an example.

Mostly shown in season one, Pearl was the motherly one. She would act more mature than the rest, this was a flaw later developed. Pearl also tended to cling onto Steven when danger rose, a given habit. Later on, she became more dependent.

Character Development: There's always room for change. Character Development is when a character either grows or changes their personality. It may change how they react to something.

Steven from Steven Universe by Rebecca Sugar is a great example of what I like to call "Backwards Character Development."

(Note that "Backwards Character Development" is not a thing. Character Development can go both ways. I use the term so I can help myself understand where some characters are going when writing.)

At first, he's your basic kid brother, always happy and friendly. In the episode "Lion 3: Straight to Video," he knew that his deceased mother is proud of him and loves him no matter what. In the episode "Mindful Education," it was revealed that he felt his mother was disappointed by him because he had to poof so many gems.

Steven grew depressed over time. Usually a character will change when something happens to them, or when multiple things happen.

  This is where I stop, I hope this chapter helped you get a good sense of how a character should act, grow, etc. Thank you so much for reading. If you find any errors please comment! Have a great day and good luck!