Great ideas for creating characters for your story.
NARRATOR
How to create a character.
Every good story needs strong characters.
You could write about characters you already know, from books, films or television, but it’s much more fun to start with a blank state.
Then you’re in charge of everything. You could start anywhere. Your character’s name, their job, where they live. How about physical appearance? What do they look like?
Firstly, is the character male or female? Let’s make her a female.
Should she be tall? Not that tall. That’s better! And, what if we give her biceps the size of footballs?
Maybe your character has an unusual feature, such as a scar? Ah, been done before. Or, glasses? Been done before too.
Don’t just list their height, build and features. Use descriptive language, including plenty of adjectives, as this will really help bring your characters to life.
Similes can help give the readers a clear image of your character, too. What if she has cheekbones sharp as razors, and her black eyes are like a shark’s?
What is it that this character actually does? Maybe a ballet dancer? Not with muscles like those. I think she would make a great bank robber!
Now, what a character wears can reflect what they get up to in your story. She’s dressed from top-to-toe in stretchy black material that clings to her menacing muscles!
But what you think her name should be? Mrs… Wilson? Maybe that’s too normal. She looks like she would have a more memorable name, like… Helga Van Schwarzenbrow! Perfect.
And where Helga hide out? Hmm, something doesn't seem quite right about this house… Think about how your setting can match your character. That’s more like it.
And let’s think more about Helga’s personality. What are her likes and dislikes? Maybe Helga has a passing interest in the arts? Maybe she has an unhealthy dislike for authority…
Now you have your character. What happens next is up to you!
[POLICE SIREN]
NARRATOR
All in all, it might be best for Helga to be behind bars!
Phew! That’s a relief. Ultimately, the reader should be able to close their eyes and imagine your character clearly.
[SAWING NOISES, METAL CLINKS ON FLOOR]
NARRATOR
Ah! Where did she go? And hang on… where’s my wallet?!
Every good story needs interesting characters.
Things to think about when creating a character:
- Name - Give your character a name that people can remember.
- Setting - Where would your character live or spend time?
- Appearance - What does your character look like? Do they have any unusual features like a scar or glasses? Use lots of adjectives (describing words) to bring your characters to life.
- Job - What does your character do? Do they go to school? Are they a ballerina? A bank robber?
- Clothing - What does your character wear? This can help people get to know the character better.
- Likes and dislikes - What does your character like and dislike? Do they love football? Do they hate Brussels sprouts?
Who is your favourite character from a book or a film?
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