3 Tips for Writing Likeable Characters @VeronicaBale1 #RLFblog #amwriting
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| A Noble Deception |
Today’s post is by guest author Veronica Bale.
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It there’s one thing you need to know about yourself as a writer,
it’s what you do well. As an author of historical romances, I know I’m good at creating
real, believable characters. I’m not being arrogant by saying that, it’s actually
what my readers say in their reviews of my books:
it’s what you do well. As an author of historical romances, I know I’m good at creating
real, believable characters. I’m not being arrogant by saying that, it’s actually
what my readers say in their reviews of my books:
“A warm-blooded historical romance that breathes with the
true humanity of its characters (even the secondary ones).” – A Noble Deception
true humanity of its characters (even the secondary ones).” – A Noble Deception
“The H and h are likeable characters that I would enjoy
reading more about.” – Bride of Dunloch
reading more about.” – Bride of Dunloch
“A very engaging presentation and characters you’re compelled
to follow.” – Legend of the Mist.
to follow.” – Legend of the Mist.
It’s something you hear often about your favourite books: the
characters are likeable; they are real. But what, exactly, makes a character real?
This is unfortunately something that surprisingly few writers (relatively speaking)
understand. And that’s a shame, because creating memorable characters that readers
can identify with is not hard to do.
characters are likeable; they are real. But what, exactly, makes a character real?
This is unfortunately something that surprisingly few writers (relatively speaking)
understand. And that’s a shame, because creating memorable characters that readers
can identify with is not hard to do.
At the risk of giving a leg up to the competition (that’s tongue-in-cheek
of course; I always love to help my fellow writers), I’ll share a trade secret:
the trick to writing real, likeable characters is to spend time on scenes, or parts
of scenes, which do absolutely nothing to further your plot.
of course; I always love to help my fellow writers), I’ll share a trade secret:
the trick to writing real, likeable characters is to spend time on scenes, or parts
of scenes, which do absolutely nothing to further your plot.
Please, keep reading this post – I promise, I’m making sense.
You might think it’s counterproductive to waste time on anything that doesn’t further
your plot. And if the sheer volume of books out there that don’t understand this
vital concept attest to anything, it’s that many authors would agree with you. But
nothing could be further from the truth. By allowing your character these non-plot-advancing
sections, in which nothing more than their personalities are front and centre, you
make them real to your readers.
You might think it’s counterproductive to waste time on anything that doesn’t further
your plot. And if the sheer volume of books out there that don’t understand this
vital concept attest to anything, it’s that many authors would agree with you. But
nothing could be further from the truth. By allowing your character these non-plot-advancing
sections, in which nothing more than their personalities are front and centre, you
make them real to your readers.
Here are three methods you can try to add likeability to your
characters.
characters.
Silliness
Ever had a tickle-fight? Ever played keep-away? These kinds of
silly moments, especially between your characters, are a great way to show their
real sides. They are fun moments, and don’t do much to enhance your plot. What they
do is enhance the overall quality of your story, though.
silly moments, especially between your characters, are a great way to show their
real sides. They are fun moments, and don’t do much to enhance your plot. What they
do is enhance the overall quality of your story, though.
Take the Disney movie Tangled as an example. The character of
Flynn Ryder is obviously the sexy, smouldering hero we expect of a good fairytale.
But what did you think about the scene where Rapunzel wasn’t falling for his charms,
so he declared it was time to “give her the smoulder?” What did you think
when, after she dropped him on his face, he groaned “You broke my smoulder?”
Didn’t that endear him to you all the more?
Flynn Ryder is obviously the sexy, smouldering hero we expect of a good fairytale.
But what did you think about the scene where Rapunzel wasn’t falling for his charms,
so he declared it was time to “give her the smoulder?” What did you think
when, after she dropped him on his face, he groaned “You broke my smoulder?”
Didn’t that endear him to you all the more?
Admittedly Tangled is a children’s comedy; it’s supposed to have
silly bits like that to make the audience laugh. But apply the logic I’ve given
you to the romance novels you’ve read where the characters fell flat. I’m betting
that silly moments like this were notably absent.
silly bits like that to make the audience laugh. But apply the logic I’ve given
you to the romance novels you’ve read where the characters fell flat. I’m betting
that silly moments like this were notably absent.
This is especially prevalent in historical romance novels. Too
many authors focus only the sombre mood, the tension borne of historical conflict
or the burning lust. But even in a romance novel with tension and strife and desire,
your characters can still indulge in a bit of silliness every now and again.
many authors focus only the sombre mood, the tension borne of historical conflict
or the burning lust. But even in a romance novel with tension and strife and desire,
your characters can still indulge in a bit of silliness every now and again.
Banter
I just had a bantering argument with my husband about whether
or not soccer is the least skill-oriented sport played professionally. At the end
of the … discussion (putting it mildly) we were no further ahead on the topic than
the last time we argued about it.
or not soccer is the least skill-oriented sport played professionally. At the end
of the … discussion (putting it mildly) we were no further ahead on the topic than
the last time we argued about it.
Everyone banters. What real person doesn’t? So, if you want your
characters to be real, let them banter. Let them argue and snipe at each other over
something that has nothing whatsoever to do with your main storyline. Let them debate
about the most ridiculous of things, and let them rage at how pig-headed and stubborn
they’re each being over something so insignificant. They might end up angry at each
other by the end of your chapter, but your readers will end up loving them because
of it.
characters to be real, let them banter. Let them argue and snipe at each other over
something that has nothing whatsoever to do with your main storyline. Let them debate
about the most ridiculous of things, and let them rage at how pig-headed and stubborn
they’re each being over something so insignificant. They might end up angry at each
other by the end of your chapter, but your readers will end up loving them because
of it.
Mild embarrassment
Have you seen the movie Hitch with Will Smith and Eva Mendez?
Then you’ll probably remember the part where Will Smith’s character, Alex Hitchens,
has an allergic reaction to shellfish. Okay, now I’ll admit that seeing him with
a distorted, swollen face did not do this hottie any favours, but how much more
attractive did this embarrassing event make him overall? No longer the smooth-talking,
suave “Date Doctor,” we saw Alex Hitchens’ real side. And we loved him
for it.
Then you’ll probably remember the part where Will Smith’s character, Alex Hitchens,
has an allergic reaction to shellfish. Okay, now I’ll admit that seeing him with
a distorted, swollen face did not do this hottie any favours, but how much more
attractive did this embarrassing event make him overall? No longer the smooth-talking,
suave “Date Doctor,” we saw Alex Hitchens’ real side. And we loved him
for it.
Your characters, too, can benefit from times of mild embarrassment
like this. Maybe your hero gets caught belting out some Spice Girls tunes in the
shower. Maybe your leading lady falls into a nearby body of water in her best cocktail
dress. Whatever it is, embarrassing your characters this way warms them to us and
makes them real. Because hey, we’ve all been there.
like this. Maybe your hero gets caught belting out some Spice Girls tunes in the
shower. Maybe your leading lady falls into a nearby body of water in her best cocktail
dress. Whatever it is, embarrassing your characters this way warms them to us and
makes them real. Because hey, we’ve all been there.
Living, breathing characters are so much more than the things
they need to do and say to advance your plot. Your characters become real when we
see them do and say things that we recognize of ourselves – silly, stupid and embarrassing
things. Allow your characters a few unnecessary scenes where their personalities
can really come through; let your creativity wander in writing those memorable moments.
They serve your plot in no measurable way, but they’ll serve your overall story
beautifully.
they need to do and say to advance your plot. Your characters become real when we
see them do and say things that we recognize of ourselves – silly, stupid and embarrassing
things. Allow your characters a few unnecessary scenes where their personalities
can really come through; let your creativity wander in writing those memorable moments.
They serve your plot in no measurable way, but they’ll serve your overall story
beautifully.
These aren’t the only ways to show the real sides of your characters
and make them likeable. What other “tricks” can you think of? Weigh in
here at Romance Lives Forever and let us know.
and make them likeable. What other “tricks” can you think of? Weigh in
here at Romance Lives Forever and let us know.
Author Bio
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| Veronica Bale |
Veronica Bale is a romance novelist, freelance writer and copyeditor.
Her latest book, A
Noble Deception, was released June 1st. She graduated from Toronto’s
York University with a degree
in environmental writing, and she writes Scottish historical romance novels with
strong heroines and cracking-good love stories.
Her latest book, A
Noble Deception, was released June 1st. She graduated from Toronto’s
York University with a degree
in environmental writing, and she writes Scottish historical romance novels with
strong heroines and cracking-good love stories.
Author Social Media
Website: www.veronicabale.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/VeronicaBale1
Amazon (A Noble Deception): http://www.amazon.com/Noble-Deception-Douglas-Clan-Book-ebook/dp/B00KPMIT9W/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405700363&sr=8-1&keywords=a+noble+deception
