How To Create Great Characters

Part I: Terminology

So, before we begin to craft our character, we'd better get a grasp of some basic terminology. There's not too much complicated stuff here, and most of it's pretty straightforward. There are, of course, a few things you'll wanna know:

- Characteristics: The traits of your character that distinguish them, physical or not.
- Characterization: Basically another word for creating a character - that is, giving your character traits that make them who they are.
- Indirect characterization: Showing the characteristics of a character without explicitly saying them, instead showing it through the writing. This is what you should do when you do write with your character.
- Direct characterization: The opposite of indirect characterization - that is, explicitly stating characteristics to the reader. Though you shouldn't do this in your writing, it's very helpful when creating your character.
- Archetypes: These are a little harder to explain. These are "patterns" and themes commonly found in characters. The most prominent archetypes you see in media are the Innocent, the Orphan, the Hero, the Caregiver, the Explorer, the Rebel, the Lover, the Creator, the Jester, the Sage, the Magician, and the Ruler. Flat characters stick to just one archetype, whereas realistic and complex characters tend to combine multiple.
- Flat character: A boring, unrealistic character with few original traits. Flat characters tend to be the embodiment of just one archetype, with little to no development.
- Complex character: A good, well-formed, realistic character, and the type of character you want! These tend to combine many personality traits and archetypes, plus good development, resulting in a unique, interesting heroes or villains.
- Mary Sue: A term used to describe "perfect" characters with no faults and who are super kind/smart/pretty and everything. They're generally flat characters and extremely irritating. They'll be covered in more depth in later chapters. Avoid creating a Mary Sue at all costs!