How to Develop Book Characters That Feel Real

Creating compelling characters is one of the most crucial parts of writing a book. Readers connect with stories through characters, so making them feel real, dynamic, and engaging is essential. Here’s a step-by-step guide to developing strong characters for your book:

1. Start with the Basics
Before you get into the deeper layers of your character, start with the fundamental details:

• Name – Choose a name that fits the world of your story. Consider meaning, time period, and cultural background.
• Age – This affects behavior, experiences, and perspective.
• Physical Appearance – Not just hair and eye color, but also mannerisms, posture, and unique features.

2. Give Them a Purpose in the Story
Every character should serve a role. Ask:

• What is their main goal? (The protagonist wants to win the race, find the treasure, escape danger, etc.)
• What is stopping them? (The antagonist, inner fears, external forces.)
• How do they grow? (What lesson do they learn by the end of the story?)

Characters should evolve in some way. If they stay the same, the story feels stagnant.

3. Develop Their Backstory
A well-rounded character has a past that influences their actions. Consider:

• Where did they grow up? (City, small town, different planet?)
• What was their childhood like? (Happy, troubled, privileged?)
• Significant life events? (Loss, triumphs, traumas?)
• Who influenced them? (Parents, mentors, enemies?)

Even if this information doesn’t make it into the final book, it will help shape how they think and act.

4. Give Them Strengths and Flaws
Perfect characters are boring. Readers relate to characters who have strengths and weaknesses.

• Strengths: Intelligence, bravery, loyalty, determination, wit.
• Flaws: Stubbornness, selfishness, insecurity, impulsiveness.

A good balance of both makes characters feel human.

5. Define Their Voice and Personality
How does your character talk? How do they interact with others?

• Formal or casual? Do they use slang? Are they precise with words?
• Optimist or pessimist? Do they see the glass as half-full or half-empty?
• Introvert or extrovert? Do they thrive in social settings or avoid them?
• Quirks? Do they bite their nails, hum when nervous, or never use contractions when they speak?

Distinctive traits make characters memorable.

6. Create Conflict
Characters are most interesting when they’re struggling with something. Consider:

• Internal conflict: Fear of failure, guilt, insecurity, indecision.
• External conflict: A rival, a dangerous journey, a ticking clock.

If your character’s life is too easy, there’s no reason for readers to keep turning the pages.

7. Make Their Actions Believable
A character’s decisions should be based on their personality and experiences. If a timid librarian suddenly picks up a sword and slays a dragon without hesitation, it won’t feel earned. Show how they develop the courage to act.

8. Surprise Your Readers
Give your character depth by making them unpredictable—but still consistent with their personality. Maybe the villain loves poetry. Maybe the hero has a fear of the dark. Avoid clichés by adding unexpected layers.

9. Use Relationships to Reveal Character
A character’s interactions with others say a lot about who they are.

• How do they treat their best friend vs. a stranger?
• Who do they confide in? Who do they hide things from?
• How do their relationships change over the course of the story?

10. Test Your Character’s Strength
A great way to see if your character is well-developed is to ask:

• Would I recognize them based on their dialogue alone?
• Would they make the same choice at the start and end of the book? (Growth!)
• Do they feel like a real person?

If your character feels like they could step off the page and into real life, you’ve done your job well.

Final Tip: Let Your Characters Surprise You
​Sometimes, as you write, your characters will take on a life of their own. Let them. If they start acting in ways you didn’t plan but it feels natural, follow where they lead. That’s a sign you’ve created something truly special.
Would you like help fleshing out a specific character?