6 ways to build a character from scratch
BY Anna Davis
20th Jun 2023
People often talk about whether a novel is character-led or story-led – actually I think both should apply! And knowing whose story you’re telling makes a huge difference to what happens in that story. But how do you go about developing a character from nowhere? Well, you’re in need of a jumping-off point, so here are some tips for finding one:
1. Start with the one thing you know
If you’ve decided on even one fundamental thing about your story, then you already have the starting point for your character development process. It could be anything: maybe you’re interested in a father–son dynamic; perhaps you want to write about bereavement and so your character will be grieving; maybe you like the idea of writing about a modern-day witch. Even if this one thing is all you know, it gives you something to play with and explore.
2. Start with genre
Not all of us are working in a clear genre – but for those of us who are, your genre may offer some basic parameters for your character. And in genre, there will be rules that you really should follow, as your readers will come to your work with very clear expectations that they will want satisfied. Make sure you research this as part of your development process. For example, if you’re writing crime fiction, your protagonist is likely to be curious, dogged, courageous (though perhaps not all of these at the start of the story, and perhaps not conventionally so).
3. Start with setting
If you are in love with a historical moment, such as the reign of Henry VIII – or a place, e.g. Paris – or on the other hand if you’re thinking of writing a story set in an invented post-apocalyptic world, the exploration and research of this world and/or moment in history will help you identify a character to develop. The more you know about your setting, the clearer you will become about whose story you want to tell.
4. Start with characters in your life
A great many of us create characters based on ourselves or on people we know. A word of caution about that, though: make sure you give yourself the freedom to invent, and develop them as your own characters. You need to really own your characters fully, and if that means they’re not ultimately identifiable as being based on you and other figures from your life, then that’s all the better!
5. Observations, notes, images, overheard conversations
The imagination is like an engine that can go a very long way with just a little fuel to power it forward. It’s so important to keep looking outward and noticing things about what you see in the world around you – the things that strike you as compelling, interesting, odd. Let yourself take time to wonder about things and people, and see where your curiosity takes you.
6. Character traits
You can also begin with the qualities that define your character. Are they shy? Intelligent? Brave? Think about what core traits sit at the centre of their personality. This is something I explore in detail in my four-week online course: Character Development – The Deep Dive.
If you're looking to learn more about creating authentic and believable characters, our next four-week online Character Development – The Deep Dive course with Anna Davis starts 14 Sep.